Chapter 102

102.075 102.075 Election by sole proprietor, partner or member.

102.075(1) (1) Any sole proprietor, partner or member of a limited liability company engaged in a vocation, profession or business on a substantially full-time basis may elect to be an employee under this chapter by procuring insurance against injury sustained in the pursuit of that vocation, profession or business. This coverage may be obtained by endorsement on an existing policy of worker’s compensation insurance or by issuance of a separate policy to the sole proprietor, partner or member on the same basis as any other policy of worker’s compensation insurance.

102.075(2) (2) For the purpose of any insurance policy other than a worker’s compensation insurance policy, no sole proprietor, partner or member may be considered eligible for worker’s compensation benefits unless he or she elected to be an employee under this section.

102.075(3) (3) Any sole proprietor, partner or member who elected to be an employee under this section may withdraw that election upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the insurance carrier and the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau.

102.075 History History: 1983 a. 98; 1993 a. 112.

102.076 102.076 Election by corporate officer.

102.076(1) (1) Not more than 2 officers of a corporation having not more than 10 stockholders may elect not to be subject to this chapter. If the corporation has been issued a policy of worker’s compensation insurance, an officer of the corporation may elect not to be subject to this chapter and not to be covered under the policy at any time during the period of the policy. Except as provided in sub. (2), the election shall be made by an endorsement, on the policy of worker’s compensation insurance issued to that corporation, naming each officer who has so elected. The election is effective for the period of the policy and may not be reversed during the period of the policy. An officer who so elects is an employee for the purpose of determining whether the corporation is an employer under s. 102.04 (1) (b).

102.076(2) (2) If a corporation has not more than 10 stockholders, not more than 2 officers and no other employees and is not otherwise required under this chapter to have a policy of worker’s compensation insurance, an officer of that corporation who elects not to be subject to this chapter shall file a notice of that election with the department on a form approved by the department. The election is effective until the officer rescinds it by notifying the department in writing.

102.076 History History: 1985 a. 83; 1987 a. 115, 179; 1989 a. 64; 1991 a. 85; 1997 a. 38.

102.077 102.077 Election by school district or private school.

102.077(1) (1) A school district, private school, or institution of higher education may elect to name as its employee for purposes of this chapter a student described in s. 102.07 (12m) (b) by an endorsement on its policy of worker’s compensation insurance or, if the school district, private school, or institution of higher education is exempt from the duty to insure under s. 102.28 (2) (a), by filing a declaration with the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a) naming the student as an employee of the school district, private school, or institution of higher education for purposes of this chapter. A declaration under this subsection shall list the name of the student to be covered under this chapter, the name and address of the employer that is providing the work training or work experience for that student, and the title, if any, of the work training, work experience, or work study program in which the student is participating.

102.077(2) (2) A school district, private school, or institution of higher education may revoke a declaration under sub. (1) by providing written notice to the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a), the student, and the employer who is providing the work training or work experience for that student. A revocation under this subsection is effective 30 days after the department receives notice of that revocation.

102.077 History History: 1995 a. 117; 1997 a. 38; 1999 a. 14; 2001 a. 37; 2015 a. 55.

102.078 102.078 Election by real estate firm.

102.078(1) (1) A firm, as defined in s. 452.01 (4w), may elect to name as its employee for purposes of this chapter a real estate broker or salesperson who is excluded under s. 452.38 by an endorsement on its policy of worker’s compensation insurance or, if the firm is self-insured under s. 102.28 (2) (b), by filing a declaration with the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a) naming the real estate broker or salesperson as an employee of the firm for purposes of this chapter. A declaration under this subsection shall state all of the following:

102.078(1)(a) (a) The name of the real estate broker or salesperson to be covered under this chapter.

102.078(1)(b) (b) That a written agreement has been entered into that provides that the real estate broker or salesperson shall not be treated as an employee for federal and state tax purposes.

102.078(1)(c) (c) That 75 percent or more of the compensation related to sales or other output, as measured on a calendar year basis, paid to the real estate broker or salesperson under the written agreement specified in par. (b) is directly related to the brokerage services performed by the real estate broker or salesperson on behalf of the firm.

102.078(2) (2) A firm, as defined in s. 452.01 (4w), may revoke a declaration under sub. (1) by providing written notice to the department in the manner provided in s. 102.31 (2) (a) and to the real estate broker or salesperson named in the declaration. A revocation under this subsection is effective 30 days after the department receives notice of that revocation.

102.078 History History: 2015 a. 258.

102.08 102.08 Administration for state employees. The department of administration has responsibility for the timely delivery of benefits payable under this chapter to employees of the state and their dependents and other functions of the state as an employer under this chapter. The department of administration may delegate this authority to employing departments and agencies and require such reports as it deems necessary to accomplish this purpose. The department of administration or its delegated authorities shall file with the department of workforce development the reports that are required of all employers. The department of workforce development shall monitor the delivery of benefits to state employees and their dependents and shall consult with and advise the department of administration in the manner and at the times necessary to ensure prompt and proper delivery.

102.08 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3.

102.11 102.11 Earnings, method of computation.

102.11(1) (1) The average weekly earnings for temporary disability, permanent total disability, or death benefits for injury in each calendar year on or after January 1, 1982, shall be not less than $30 nor more than the wage rate that results in a maximum compensation rate of 110 percent of the state’s average weekly earnings as determined under s. 108.05 as of June 30 of the previous year. The average weekly earnings for permanent partial disability shall be not less than $30 and, for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2023, and before March 24, 2024, not more than $645, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $430; for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after March 24, 2024, and before January 1, 2025, not more than $657, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $438; and for permanent partial disability for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025, not more than $669, resulting in a maximum compensation rate of $446. Between such limits the average weekly earnings shall be determined as follows:

102.11(1)(a) (a)

102.11(1)(a)1. 1. Daily earnings shall mean the daily earnings of the employee at the time of the injury in the employment in which the employee was then engaged. In determining daily earnings under this subdivision, any hours worked beyond the normal full-time working day as established by the employer, whether compensated at the employee’s regular rate of pay or at an increased rate of pay, shall not be considered.

102.11(1)(a)2. 2.

102.11(1)(a)2.a. a. In this subdivision, “part time for the day” means Saturday half days and any other day during which an employee works less than the normal full-time working hours established by the employer.

102.11(1)(a)2.b. b. If at the time of the injury the employee is working part time for the day, the employee’s daily earnings shall be arrived at by dividing the amount received, or to be received by the employee for such part-time service for the day, by the number of hours and fractional hours of the part-time service, and multiplying the result by the number of hours of the normal full-time working day established by the employer for the employment involved.

102.11(1)(a)3. 3. The average weekly earnings shall be arrived at by multiplying the employee’s hourly earnings by the hours in the normal full-time workweek as established by the employer, or by multiplying the employee’s daily earnings by the number of days and fractional days in the normal full-time workweek as established by the employer, at the time of the injury in the business operation of the employer for the particular employment in which the employee was engaged at the time of the employee’s injury, whichever is greater.

102.11(1)(a)4. 4. It is presumed, unless rebutted by reasonably clear and complete documentation, that the normal full-time workweek established by the employer is 24 hours for a flight attendant, 56 hours for a fire fighter, and not less than 40 hours for any other employee. If the employer has established a multi-week schedule with regular hours alternating between weeks, the normal full-time workweek is the average number of hours worked per week under the multi-week schedule.

102.11(1)(ap) (ap)

102.11(1)(ap)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., in the case of an employee who works less than full time, average weekly earnings shall be calculated by whichever of the following is greater:

102.11(1)(ap)1.a. a. The actual average weekly earnings of the employee for the 52 calendar weeks before his or her injury, except that calendar weeks within which no work was performed shall not be considered.

102.11(1)(ap)1.b. b. The employee’s hourly earnings on the date of injury multiplied by the average number of hours worked in that employment for the 52 calendar weeks before his or her injury, except that calendar weeks within which no work was performed shall not be considered.

102.11(1)(ap)2. 2. An employee may, subject to subd. 3., demonstrate that he or she is eligible for temporary disability benefits based on full-time work rather than part-time work as provided in subd. 1. a. by providing evidence of qualifying taxable earnings with an employer other than the employer liable for the employee’s injury or demonstrating that the employee has worked less than full time for less than 12 months before the date of the employee’s injury. If the employee so demonstrates, the employee’s average weekly wage shall be calculated using the normal full-time workweek established by the employer under par. (a).

102.11(1)(ap)3. 3. An employer may rebut the employee’s evidence of eligibility for temporary disability benefits based on full-time work under subd. 2. by providing evidence that the employee chose to work less than full time. Such evidence of a choice to restrict employment to less than full time may include a written statement signed by the employee or an employment application that indicates an hour or shift preference.

102.11(1)(b) (b) In case of seasonal employment, average weekly earnings shall be arrived at by the method prescribed in par. (a), except that the number of hours of the normal full-time working day and the number of days of the normal full-time workweek shall be the hours and the days in similar service in the same or similar nonseasonal employment. Seasonal employment shall mean employment that can be conducted only during certain times of the year, and in no event shall employment be considered seasonal if it extends during a period of more than fourteen weeks within a calendar year.

102.11(1)(c) (c) In the case of a person performing service without fixed earnings, or when normal full-time days or weeks are not maintained by the employer in the employment in which the employee worked when injured, or when, for other reason, earnings cannot be determined under the methods prescribed by par. (a) or (b), the earnings of the injured person shall, for the purpose of calculating compensation payable under this chapter, be taken to be the usual going earnings paid for similar services on a normal full-time basis in the same or similar employment in which earnings can be determined under the methods set out in par. (a) or (b).

102.11(1)(d) (d) Except in situations where par. (b) applies, average weekly earnings shall in no case be less than actual average weekly earnings of the employee for the 52 calendar weeks before his or her injury within which the employee has been employed in the business, in the kind of employment and for the employer for whom the employee worked when injured. Calendar weeks within which no work was performed shall not be considered under this paragraph. This paragraph applies only if the employee has worked within a total of at least 6 calendar weeks during the 52 calendar weeks before his or her injury in the business, in the kind of employment and for the employer for whom the employee worked when injured. For purposes of this section, earnings for part-time services performed for a labor organization pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement between the employer and that labor organization shall be considered as part of the total earnings in the preceding 52 calendar weeks, whether payment is made by the labor organization or the employer.

102.11(1)(e) (e) Where any things of value are received in addition to monetary earnings as a part of the wage contract, they shall be deemed a part of earnings and computed at the value thereof to the employee.

102.11(1)(f) (f) The weekly temporary disability benefits for a part-time employee who restricts his or her availability in the labor market to part-time work and is not employed elsewhere, or who has worked less than full time for 12 months or longer before the employee’s injury, may not exceed the average weekly wages of the part-time employment.

102.11(1)(g) (g) If an employee is under 27 years of age, the employee’s average weekly earnings on which to compute the benefits accruing for permanent disability or death shall be determined on the basis of the earnings that the employee, if not disabled, probably would earn after attaining the age of 27 years. Unless otherwise established, the projected earnings determined under this paragraph shall be taken as equivalent to the amount upon which maximum weekly indemnity is payable.

102.11(2) (2) The average annual earnings when referred to in this chapter shall consist of 50 times the employee’s average weekly earnings. Subject to the maximum limitation, average annual earnings shall in no case be taken at less than the actual earnings of the employee in the year immediately preceding the employee’s injury in the kind of employment in which the employee worked at the time of injury.

102.11(3) (3) The weekly wage loss referred to in this chapter shall be the percentage of the average weekly earnings of the injured employee computed under this section that fairly represents the proportionate extent of the impairment of the employee’s earning capacity in the employment in which the employee was working at the time of the injury and other suitable employments. Weekly wage loss shall be fixed as of the time of the injury, but shall be determined in view of the nature and extent of the injury.

102.11 History History: 1971 c. 148; 1973 c. 150; 1975 c. 147; 1977 c. 195; 1979 c. 278; 1981 c. 92; 1983 a. 98; 1985 a. 83; 1987 a. 179; 1989 a. 64; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81, 492; 1995 a. 117; 1997 a. 38, 253; 2001 a. 37, 107; 2005 a. 172; 2007 a. 185; 2009 a. 206; 2011 a. 123, 183, 257; 2013 a. 165; 2015 a. 55, 180; 2017 a. 364 s. 49; 2021 a. 232; 2023 a. 213.

102.11 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.51, Wis. adm. code.

102.11 Annotation It was reasonable for the Labor and Industry Review Commission to determine that health insurance premiums were not things of value that are received in addition to monetary earnings under sub. (1) (e). Theuer v. LIRC, 2001 WI 26, 242 Wis. 2d 29, 624 N.W.2d 110, 00-1085.

102.12 102.12 Notice of injury, exception, laches. No claim for compensation may be maintained unless, within 30 days after the occurrence of the injury or within 30 days after the employee knew or ought to have known the nature of his or her disability and its relation to the employment, actual notice was received by the employer or by an officer, manager or designated representative of an employer. If no representative has been designated by posters placed in one or more conspicuous places where notices to employees are customarily posted, then notice received by any superior is sufficient. Absence of notice does not bar recovery if it is found that the employer was not misled by that absence. Regardless of whether notice was received, if no payment of compensation, other than medical treatment or burial expense, is made, and if no application is filed with the department within 2 years after the date of the injury or death or the date the employee or his or her dependent knew or ought to have known the nature of the disability and its relation to the employment, the right to compensation for the injury or death is barred, except that the right to compensation is not barred if the employer knew or should have known, within the 2-year period, that the employee had sustained the injury on which the claim is based. Issuance of notice of a hearing on the motion of the department or the division has the same effect for the purposes of this section as the filing of an application. This section does not affect any claim barred under s. 102.17 (4).

102.12 History History: 1983 a. 98; 2015 a. 55.

102.123 102.123 Statement of employee. If an employee provides to the employer or the employer’s insurer a signed statement relating to a claim for compensation by the employee, the employer or insurer shall provide a copy of the statement to the employee within a reasonable time after the statement is made. If an employer or insurer uses a recording device to take a statement from an employee relating to a claim for compensation by the employee, the employer or insurer, on the request of the employee or the employee’s attorney or other authorized agent, shall reduce the statement to writing and provide a written copy of the entire statement to the employee, attorney, or agent within a reasonable time after the statement is taken. The employer or insurer shall also make the actual recording of the statement available as an exhibit if a hearing on the claim is held. An employer or insurer that fails to provide an employee with a copy of the employee’s statement as required by this section or that fails to make available as an exhibit the actual recording of a statement recorded by a recording device as required by this section may not use that statement in any manner in connection with the employee’s claim for compensation.

102.123 History History: 2001 a. 37.

102.125 102.125 Fraud reporting, investigation, and prosecution.

102.125(1) (1) Fraudulent claims reporting and investigation. If an insurer or self-insured employer has evidence that a claim is false or fraudulent in violation of s. 943.395 and if the insurer or self-insured employer is satisfied that reporting the claim to the department will not impede its ability to defend the claim, the insurer or self-insured employer shall report the claim to the department. The department may require an insurer or self-insured employer to investigate an allegedly false or fraudulent claim and may provide the insurer or self-insured employer with any records of the department relating to that claim. An insurer or self-insured employer that investigates a claim under this subsection shall report on the results of that investigation to the department.

102.125(2) (2) Assistance by department of justice. The department of workforce development may request the department of justice to assist the department of workforce development in an investigation under sub. (1) or in the investigation of any other suspected fraudulent activity on the part of an employer, employee, insurer, health care provider, or other person related to worker’s compensation.

102.125(3) (3) Prosecution. If based on an investigation under sub. (1) or (2) the department has a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of s. 943.20, 943.38, 943.39, 943.392, 943.395, 943.40, or any other criminal law has occurred, the department shall refer the results of the investigation to the department of justice or to the district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred for prosecution.

102.125 History History: 1993 a. 81; 2001 a. 37; 2015 a. 180.

102.13 102.13 Examination; competent witnesses; exclusion of evidence; autopsy.

102.13(1) (1) 

102.13(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), whenever compensation is claimed by an employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the employee’s employer or worker’s compensation insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, or podiatrists provided and paid for by the employer or insurer. No employee who submits to an examination under this paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist for any purpose other than for the purpose of bringing an action under ch. 655, unless the employee specifically requests treatment from that physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist.

102.13(1)(am) (am) When compensation is claimed for loss of earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) or (3), the employee shall, on the written request of the employee’s employer or insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by vocational experts provided and paid for by the employer or insurer.

102.13(1)(b) (b) An employer or insurer who requests that an employee submit to reasonable examination under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee, before the examination, all necessary expenses including transportation expenses. The employee is entitled to have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist provided by himself or herself present at the examination and to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of those reports by the employer or worker’s compensation insurer. The employee is entitled to have one observer provided by himself or herself present at the examination. The employee is also entitled to have a translator provided by himself or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or understanding the English language. The employer’s or insurer’s written request for examination shall notify the employee of all of the following:

102.13(1)(b)1. 1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examination and the identity and area of specialization of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or vocational expert.

102.13(1)(b)2. 2. The procedure for changing the proposed date, time and place of the examination.

102.13(1)(b)3. 3. The employee’s right to have his or her physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist present at the examination.

102.13(1)(b)4. 4. The employee’s right to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of these reports by the employer or worker’s compensation insurer.

102.13(1)(b)5. 5. The employee’s right to have a translator provided by himself or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or understanding the English language.

102.13(1)(b)6. 6. The employee’s right to have one observer provided by himself or herself present at the examination.

102.13(1)(c) (c) So long as the employee, after a written request of the employer or insurer that complies with par. (b), refuses to submit to or in any way obstructs the examination, the employee’s right to begin or maintain any proceeding for the collection of compensation is suspended, except as provided in sub. (4). If the employee refuses to submit to the examination after direction by the department, the division, or an examiner, or in any way obstructs the examination, the employee’s right to the weekly indemnity that accrues and becomes payable during the period of that refusal or obstruction, is barred, except as provided in sub. (4).

102.13(1)(d) (d) Subject to par. (e):

102.13(1)(d)1. 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or vocational expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to testify as to the results of the examination.

102.13(1)(d)2. 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist who attended a worker’s compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify before the division when the division so directs.

102.13(1)(d)3. 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist attending a worker’s compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker’s compensation insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation claim.

102.13(1)(d)4. 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist who is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation proceedings.

102.13(1)(e) (e) No person may testify on the issue of the reasonableness of the fees of a licensed health care professional unless the person is licensed to practice the same health care profession as the professional whose fees are the subject of the testimony. This paragraph does not apply to the fee dispute resolution process under s. 102.16 (2).

102.13(1)(f) (f) If an employee claims compensation under s. 102.81 (1), the department or the division may require the employee to submit to physical or vocational examinations under this subsection.

102.13(2) (2) 

102.13(2)(a) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient, psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health care provider shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer, worker’s compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative, provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to any injury for which the employee claims compensation. If the request is by a representative of a worker’s compensation insurer for a billing statement, the physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health care provider shall, within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that person with a complete copy of an itemized billing statement or a billing statement in a standard billing format recognized by the federal government.

102.13(2)(b) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person’s custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester’s right to the duplicates under par. (a).

102.13(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in this paragraph, if an injured employee has a period of temporary disability that exceeds 3 weeks or a permanent disability, if the injured employee has undergone surgery to treat his or her injury, other than surgery to correct a hernia, or if the injured employee sustained an eye injury requiring medical treatment on 3 or more occasions off the employer’s premises, the department may by rule require the insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of the employee’s treating practitioner. The department may not require an insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of an employee’s treating practitioner when the insurer or self-insured employer denies the employee’s claim for compensation in its entirety and the employee does not contest that denial. A treating practitioner shall complete a final report on a timely basis and may charge a reasonable fee for the completion of the final report, not to exceed $100, but may not require prepayment of that fee. An insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the reasonableness of a fee charged for the completion of a treatment practitioner’s final report may submit that dispute to the department for resolution under s. 102.16 (2).

102.13(3) (3) If 2 or more physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, or podiatrists disagree as to the extent of an injured employee’s temporary disability, the end of an employee’s healing period, an employee’s ability to return to work at suitable available employment or the necessity for further treatment or for a particular type of treatment, the department or the division may appoint another physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, or podiatrist to examine the employee and render an opinion as soon as possible. The department or the division shall promptly notify the parties of this appointment. If the employee has not returned to work, payment for temporary disability shall continue until the department or the division receives the opinion. The employer or its insurance carrier, or both, shall pay for the examination and opinion. The employer or insurance carrier, or both, shall receive appropriate credit for any overpayment to the employee determined by the department or the division after receipt of the opinion.

102.13(4) (4) The right of an employee to begin or maintain proceedings for the collection of compensation and to receive weekly indemnities that accrue and become payable shall not be suspended or barred under sub. (1) when an employee refuses to submit to a physical examination, upon the request of the employer or worker’s compensation insurer or at the direction of the department, the division, or an examiner, that would require the employee to travel a distance of 100 miles or more from his or her place of residence, unless the employee has claimed compensation for treatment from a practitioner whose office is located 100 miles or more from the employee’s place of residence or the department, division, or examiner determines that any other circumstances warrant the examination. If the employee has claimed compensation for treatment from a practitioner whose office is located 100 miles or more from the employee’s place of residence, the employer or insurer may request, or the department, the division, or an examiner may direct, the employee to submit to a physical examination in the area where the employee’s treatment practitioner is located.

102.13(5) (5) The department or the division may refuse to receive testimony as to conditions determined from an autopsy if it appears that the party offering the testimony had procured the autopsy and had failed to make reasonable effort to notify at least one party in adverse interest or the department or the division at least 12 hours before the autopsy of the time and place at which the autopsy would be performed, or that the autopsy was performed by or at the direction of the coroner or medical examiner or at the direction of the district attorney for purposes not authorized under ch. 979. The department or the division may withhold findings until an autopsy is held in accordance with its directions.

102.13 History History: 1973 c. 272, 282; 1975 c. 147; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 102 s. 236 (3); 1979 c. 278; 1981 c. 92; 1983 a. 98, 279; 1985 a. 83; 1987 a. 179; 1989 a. 64, 359; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81; 1997 a. 38; 2003 a. 144; 2005 a. 172; 2011 a. 183; 2015 a. 55, 180; 2021 a. 29, 232; 2023 a. 213.

102.14 102.14 Jurisdiction of department and division; advisory committee.

102.14(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided, this chapter shall be administered by the department and the division.

102.14(2) (2) The council on worker’s compensation shall advise the department and the division in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, shall submit its recommendations with respect to amendments to this chapter to each regular session of the legislature, and shall report its views upon any pending bill relating to this chapter to the proper legislative committee. At the request of the chairpersons of the senate and assembly committees on labor, the department shall schedule a meeting of the council with the members of the senate and assembly committees on labor to review and discuss matters of legislative concern arising under this chapter.

102.14 History History: 1975 c. 147 s. 54; 1979 c. 278; 2015 a. 55.

102.15 102.15 Rules; transcripts.