2006 Kansas Code - 44-531

      44-531.   Redemption of liability; lump-sum payment of award; exception. (a) Where all parties agree to the payment of all or any part of compensation due under the workers compensation act or under any award or judgment, and where it has been determined at a hearing before the administrative law judge that it is for the best interest of the injured employee or the dependents of a deceased employee, or that it will avoid undue expense, litigation or hardship to any party or parties, the administrative law judge may permit the employer to redeem all or any part of the employer's liability under the workers compensation act by the payment of compensation in a lump sum, except that no agreement for payment of compensation in a lump sum shall be approved for nine months after an employee has returned to work in cases in which the employee, who would otherwise be entitled to compensation for work disability, is not entitled to work disability compensation because of being returned to work at a comparable wage by the employer who employed the worker at the time of the injury giving rise to the claim being settled. The employer shall be entitled to an 8% discount except as provided in subsection (a) of K.S.A. 44-510b and amendments thereto on the amount of any such lump-sum payment that is not yet due at the time of the award. Upon paying such lump sum the employer shall be released and discharged of and from all liability under the workers compensation act for that portion of the employer's liability redeemed under this section.

      (b)   No lump-sum awards, unless agreed to by the parties, shall be rendered under the workers compensation act except: (1) As provided in subsection (a) of this section, (2) as provided in subsection (a) K.S.A. 44-510b and amendments thereto, (3) in cases involving compensation due the employee at the time the award is rendered as provided in K.S.A. 44-525 and amendments thereto and in cases of past due compensation as provided in K.S.A. 44-529 and amendments thereto.

      History:   L. 1927, ch. 232, § 31; L. 1955, ch. 250, § 8; L. 1974, ch. 203, § 30; L. 1993, ch. 286, § 46; L. 1996, ch. 79, § 8; L. 2000, ch. 160, § 13; July 1.