Chapter 102

102.65(4)(c) (c) A date after which no new claims under those provisions will be paid.

102.65 History History: 1975 c. 147; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 20 s. 2202 (28) (a); 1983 a. 98 s. 31; 1989 a. 64; 1991 a. 174; 1995 a. 117; 2005 a. 172; 2007 a. 185; 2011 a. 183; 2015 a. 55.

102.66 102.66 Payment of certain barred claims.

102.66(1) (1) Subject to any certificate filed under s. 102.65 (4), if there is an otherwise meritorious claim for occupational disease, or for a traumatic injury described in s. 102.17 (4) in which the date of injury or death or last payment of compensation, other than for treatment or burial expenses, is before April 1, 2006, and if the claim is barred solely by the statute of limitations under s. 102.17 (4), the department or the division may, in lieu of worker’s compensation benefits, direct payment from the work injury supplemental benefit fund under s. 102.65 of such compensation and such medical expenses as would otherwise be due, based on the date of injury, to or on behalf of the injured employee. The benefits shall be supplemental, to the extent of compensation liability, to any disability or medical benefits payable from any group insurance policy whose premium is paid in whole or in part by any employer, or under any federal insurance or benefit program providing disability or medical benefits. Death benefits payable under any such group policy do not limit the benefits payable under this section.

102.66(2) (2) In the case of occupational disease, or of a traumatic injury described in s. 102.17 (4) in which the date of injury or death or last payment of compensation, other than for treatment for burial expenses, is before April 1, 2006, appropriate benefits may be awarded from the work injury supplemental benefit fund when the status or existence of the employer or its insurance carrier cannot be determined or when there is otherwise no adequate remedy, subject to the limitations contained in sub. (1).

102.66 History History: 1975 c. 147; 1979 c. 278; 2001 a. 37; 2005 a. 172; 2011 a. 183; 2015 a. 55.

102.66 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.06, Wis. adm. code.

102.66 Annotation This section authorizes the award of benefits for otherwise meritorious claims barred by the statute of limitations in effect at the time the claim arose. State v. DILHR, 101 Wis. 2d 396, 304 N.W.2d 758 (1981).

102.66 Annotation When a disabled worker could have claimed permanent total disability benefits under this section, but failed to do so before dying of causes unrelated to a compensable injury, a surviving dependent may not claim the disability benefits. State v. LIRC, 136 Wis. 2d 281, 401 N.W.2d 585 (1987).

102.75 102.75 Administrative expenses.

102.75(1) (1) The department shall assess upon and collect from each licensed worker’s compensation insurance carrier and from each employer exempted under s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm) from the duty to carry insurance under s. 102.28 (2) (a) the proportion of total costs and expenses incurred by the council on worker’s compensation for travel and research and by the department, the division, and the commission in the administration of this chapter for the current fiscal year, plus any deficiencies in collections and anticipated costs from the previous fiscal year, that the total indemnity paid or payable under this chapter by each such carrier and exempt employer in worker’s compensation cases initially closed during the preceding calendar year, other than for increased, double, or treble compensation, bore to the total indemnity paid in cases closed the previous calendar year under this chapter by all carriers and exempt employers, other than for increased, double, or treble compensation. The council on worker’s compensation, the division, and the commission shall annually certify any costs and expenses for worker’s compensation activities to the department at such time as the secretary requires.

102.75(1g) (1g) 

102.75(1g)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), the department shall collect from each licensed worker’s compensation carrier the proportion of reimbursement approved by the department under s. 102.44 (1) (c) 1. for supplemental benefits paid in the year before the previous year that the total indemnity paid or payable under this chapter by the carrier in worker’s compensation cases initially closed during the preceding calendar year, other than for increased, double, or treble compensation, bore to the total indemnity paid in cases closed the previous calendar year under this chapter by all carriers, other than for increased, double, or treble compensation.

102.75(1g)(b) (b) The maximum amount that the department may collect under par. (a) in a calendar year is $5,000,000. If the amount determined collectible under par. (a) in a calendar year is $5,000,000 or less, the department shall collect that amount. If the amount determined collectible under par. (a) in a calendar year exceeds $5,000,000, the department shall collect $5,000,000 in the year in which the determination is made and, subject to the maximum amount collectible of $5,000,000 per calendar year, shall collect the excess in the next calendar year or in subsequent calendar years until that excess is collected in full.

102.75(1g)(c) (c) This subsection does not apply to claims for reimbursement under s. 102.44 (1) (c) 1. for supplemental benefits paid for injuries that occur on or after January 1, 2016.

102.75(1m) (1m) The moneys collected under subs. (1) and (1g) and under ss. 102.28 (2) and 102.31 (7), together with all accrued interest, shall constitute a separate nonlapsible fund designated as the worker’s compensation operations fund. Moneys in the fund may be expended only as provided in ss. 20.427 (1) (ra) and 20.445 (1) (ra), (rb), and (rp) and may not be used for any other purpose of the state.

102.75(2) (2) The department shall require each licensed worker’s compensation insurance carrier and employer exempted under s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm) from the duty to insure under s. 102.28 (2) (a) to make the payments required under sub. (1) for each fiscal year on such dates as the department prescribes. The department shall also require each licensed worker’s compensation insurance carrier to make the payments required under sub. (1g) for each fiscal year on those dates. Each such payment shall be a sum equal to a proportionate share of the annual costs and expenses assessed upon each carrier and employer as estimated by the department. Interest shall accrue on amounts not paid within 30 days after the date prescribed by the department under this subsection at the rate of 1 percent per month. All interest payments received under this subsection shall be deposited in the fund established under s. 102.65.

102.75(4) (4) From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (ra), the department shall allocate the amounts that it collects in application fees from employers applying for exemption under s. 102.28 (2) (b) and the annual amount that it collects from employers that have been exempted under s. 102.28 (2) (b) to fund the activities of the department under s. 102.28 (2) (b) and (c) with respect to those employers.

102.75 History History: 1975 c. 39; 1975 c. 147 s. 54; 1977 c. 195, 418; 1981 c. 20, 92; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 85; 1995 a. 117; 2005 a. 172; 2009 a. 206; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55, 180.

102.75 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.38, Wis. adm. code.

102.80 102.80 Uninsured employers fund.

102.80(1) (1) There is established a separate, nonlapsible trust fund designated as the uninsured employers fund consisting of all the following:

102.80(1)(a) (a) Amounts collected from uninsured employers under s. 102.82.

102.80(1)(b) (b) Uninsured employer surcharges collected under s. 102.85 (4).

102.80(1)(d) (d) Amounts collected from employees or dependents of employees under s. 102.81 (4) (b) and (c).

102.80(1)(e) (e) All moneys received by the department for the uninsured employers fund from any other source.

102.80(1)(f) (f) Amounts transferred to the uninsured employers fund from the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (1) (ra) as provided in s. 102.81 (1) (c).

102.80(1m) (1m) The moneys collected or received under sub. (1), together with all accrued interest, shall constitute a separate nonlapsible fund designated as the uninsured employers fund. Moneys in the fund may be expended only as provided in s. 20.445 (1) (sm) and may not be used for any other purpose of the state.

102.80(3) (3) 

102.80(3)(a) (a) If the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund equals or exceeds $4,000,000, the secretary shall consult the council on worker’s compensation within 45 days after that cash balance equals or exceeds $4,000,000. The secretary may file with the secretary of administration, within 15 days after consulting the council on worker’s compensation, a certificate attesting that the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund equals or exceeds $4,000,000.

102.80(3)(ag) (ag) The secretary shall monitor the cash balance in, and incurred losses to, the uninsured employers fund using generally accepted actuarial principles. If the secretary determines that the expected ultimate losses to the uninsured employers fund on known claims exceed 85 percent of the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund, the secretary shall consult with the council on worker’s compensation. If the secretary, after consulting with the council on worker’s compensation, determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that the cash balance in the uninsured employers fund may become inadequate to fund all claims under s. 102.81 (1), the secretary shall file with the secretary of administration a certificate attesting that the cash balance in the uninsured employer’s fund is likely to become inadequate to fund all claims under s. 102.81 (1) and specifying a date after which no new claims under s. 102.81 (1) will be paid.

102.80(3)(am) (am) If the secretary files the certificate under par. (a), the department may expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund, beginning on the first day of the first July after the secretary files that certificate, to make payments under s. 102.81 (1) to employees of uninsured employers and to obtain reinsurance under s. 102.81 (2).

102.80(3)(b) (b) If the secretary does not file the certificate under par. (a), the department may not expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund.

102.80(3)(c) (c) If, after filing the certificate under par. (a), the secretary files the certificate under par. (ag), the department may expend the moneys in the uninsured employers fund only to make payments under s. 102.81 (1) to employees of uninsured employers on claims made before the date specified in that certificate and to obtain reinsurance under s. 102.81 (2) for the payment of those claims.

102.80(4) (4) 

102.80(4)(a) (a) If an uninsured employer who owes to the department any amount under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) transfers his or her business assets or activities, the transferee is liable for the amounts owed by the uninsured employer under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) if the department determines that all of the following conditions are satisfied:

102.80(4)(a)1. 1. At the time of the transfer, the uninsured employer and the transferee are owned or controlled in whole or in substantial part, either directly or indirectly, by the same interest or interests. Without limitation by reason of enumeration, it is presumed unless shown to the contrary that the “same interest or interests” includes the spouse, child or parent of the individual who owned or controlled the business, or any combination of more than one of them.

102.80(4)(a)2. 2. The transferee has continued or resumed the business of the uninsured employer, either in the same establishment or elsewhere; or the transferee has employed substantially the same employees as those the uninsured employer had employed in connection with the business assets or activities transferred.

102.80(4)(b) (b) The department may collect from a transferee described in par. (a) an amount owed under s. 102.82 or 102.85 (4) using the procedures specified in ss. 102.83, 102.835 and 102.87 and the preference specified in s. 102.84 in the same manner as the department may collect from an uninsured employer.

102.80 History History: 1989 a. 64; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81; 1995 a. 117; 2003 a. 139; 2005 a. 172; 2007 a. 185; 2015 a. 55; 2021 a. 232.

102.81 102.81 Compensation for injured employee of uninsured employer.

102.81(1) (1) 

102.81(1)(a) (a) If an employee of an uninsured employer, other than an employee who is eligible to receive alternative benefits under s. 102.28 (3), suffers an injury for which the uninsured employer is liable under s. 102.03, the department or the department’s reinsurer shall pay to or on behalf of the injured employee or to the employee’s dependents an amount equal to the compensation owed them by the uninsured employer under this chapter except penalties and interest due under ss. 102.16 (3), 102.18 (1) (b) 3. and (bp), 102.22 (1), 102.35 (3), 102.57, and 102.60.

102.81(1)(b) (b) The department shall make the payments required under par. (a) from the uninsured employers fund, except that if the department has obtained reinsurance under sub. (2) and is unable to make those payments from the uninsured employers fund, the department’s reinsurer shall make those payments according to the terms of the contract of reinsurance.

102.81(1)(c) (c)

102.81(1)(c)1. 1. The department shall pay a claim under par. (a) in excess of $2,000,000 from the uninsured employers fund in the first instance. If the claim is not covered by excess or stop-loss reinsurance under sub. (2), the secretary of administration shall transfer from the appropriation account under s. 20.445 (1) (ra) to the uninsured employers fund as provided in subds. 2. and 3. an amount equal to the amount by which payments from the uninsured employers fund on the claim are in excess of $2,000,000.

102.81(1)(c)2. 2. Each calendar year the department shall file with the secretary of administration a certificate setting forth the number of claims in excess of $2,000,000 in the preceding year paid from the uninsured employers fund, the payments made from the uninsured employers fund on each such claim in the preceding year, and the total payments made from the uninsured employers fund on all such claims and, based on that information, the secretary of administration shall determine the amount to be transferred under subd. 1. in that calendar year.

102.81(1)(c)3. 3. The maximum amount that the secretary of administration may transfer under subd. 1. in a calendar year is $500,000. If the amount determined under subd. 2. is $500,000 or less, the secretary of administration shall transfer the amount determined under subd. 2. If the amount determined under subd. 2. exceeds $500,000, the secretary of administration shall transfer $500,000 in the calendar year in which the determination is made and, subject to the maximum transfer amount of $500,000 per calendar year, shall transfer that excess in the next calendar year or in subsequent calendar years until that excess is transferred in full.

102.81(2) (2) The department may retain an insurance carrier or insurance service organization to process, investigate and pay claims under this section and may obtain excess or stop-loss reinsurance with an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state in an amount that the secretary determines is necessary for the sound operation of the uninsured employers fund. In cases involving disputed claims, the department may retain an attorney to represent the interests of the uninsured employers fund and to make appearances on behalf of the uninsured employers fund in proceedings under ss. 102.16 to 102.29. Section 20.930 and all provisions of subch. IV of ch. 16 do not apply to an attorney hired under this subsection. The charges for the services retained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (rp). The cost of any reinsurance obtained under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (sm).

102.81(3) (3) An injured employee of an uninsured employer or his or her dependents may attempt to recover from the uninsured employer, or a 3rd party under s. 102.29, while receiving or attempting to receive payment under sub. (1).

102.81(4) (4) An injured employee, or the dependent of an injured employee, who received one or more payments under sub. (1) shall do all of the following:

102.81(4)(a) (a) If the employee or dependent begins an action to recover compensation from the employee’s employer or a 3rd party liable under s. 102.29, provide to the department a copy of all papers filed by any party in the action.

102.81(4)(b) (b) If the employee or dependent receives compensation from the employee’s employer, pay to the department the lesser of the following:

102.81(4)(b)1. 1. The amount after attorney fees and costs that the employee or dependent received under sub. (1).

102.81(4)(b)2. 2. The amount after attorney fees and costs that the employee or dependent received from the employer.

102.81(4)(c) (c) If the employee or dependent receives compensation from a 3rd party that is liable under s. 102.29, pay to the department the proceeds as specified under s. 102.29 (1) (b).

102.81(5) (5) The department of justice may bring an action to collect a payment under sub. (4) (b) or (c).

102.81(6) (6) 

102.81(6)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), an employee, a dependent of an employee, an uninsured employer, a 3rd party who is liable under s. 102.29 or the department may enter into an agreement to settle liabilities under this chapter.

102.81(6)(b) (b) A settlement under par. (a) is void without the department’s written approval.

102.81(7) (7) This section first applies to injuries occurring on the first day of the first July beginning after the day that the secretary files a certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (a), except that if the secretary files a certificate under s. 102.80 (3) (ag) this section does not apply to claims filed on or after the date specified in that certificate.

102.81 History History: 1989 a. 64; 1995 a. 117; 2003 a. 144; 2005 a. 172, 253, 410; 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 206; 2015 a. 55, 180; 2021 a. 232, 267; 2023 a. 213.

102.81 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.62, Wis. adm. code.

102.81 Annotation Section 102.18 (1) (bp) does not govern the conduct of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) or its agent and does not impose any penalty on DWD or its agent for bad faith conduct in administering the Uninsured Employers Fund. Section 102.18 (1) (bp) constitutes the exclusive remedy for the bad faith conduct of an employer or an insurance carrier. Because s. 102.18 (1) (bp) does not apply to DWD’s agent, it does not provide an exclusive remedy for the agent’s bad faith. Moreover, sub. (1) (a) exempts DWD and its agent from paying an employee the statutory penalties and interest imposed on an employer or an insurance carrier for their misdeeds, but nothing in sub. (1) (a) exempts DWD or its agent from liability for its bad faith conduct in processing claims. Aslakson v. Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., 2007 WI 39, 300 Wis. 2d 92, 729 N.W.2d 712, 04-2588.

102.82 102.82 Uninsured employer payments.

102.82(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2) (ar), an uninsured employer shall reimburse the department for any payment made under s. 102.81 (1) to or on behalf of an employee of the uninsured employer or to an employee’s dependents and for any expenses paid by the department in administering the claim of the employee or dependents, less amounts repaid by the employee or dependents under s. 102.81 (4) (b) or (c). The reimbursement owed under this subsection is due within 30 days after the date on which the department notifies the uninsured employer that the reimbursement is owed. Interest shall accrue on amounts not paid when due at the rate of 1 percent per month.

102.82(2) (2) 

102.82(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (ag), (am) and (ar), all uninsured employers shall pay to the department the greater of the following:

102.82(2)(a)1. 1. Twice the amount determined by the department to equal what the uninsured employer would have paid during periods of illegal nonpayment for worker’s compensation insurance in the preceding 3-year period based on the employer’s payroll in the preceding 3 years.

102.82(2)(a)2. 2. Seven hundred and fifty dollars.

102.82(2)(ag) (ag) An uninsured employer who is liable to the department under par. (a) 2 shall pay to the department, in lieu of the payment required under par. (a) 2., $100 per day for each day that the employer is uninsured if all of the following apply:

102.82(2)(ag)1. 1. The employer is uninsured for 7 consecutive days or less.

102.82(2)(ag)2. 2. The employer has not previously been uninsured.

102.82(2)(ag)3. 3. No injury for which the employer is liable under s. 102.03 has occurred during the period in which the employer is uninsured.

102.82(2)(am) (am) The department may waive any payment owed under par. (a) by an uninsured employer if the department determines that the uninsured employer is subject to this chapter only because the uninsured employer has elected to become subject to this chapter under s. 102.05 (2) or 102.28 (2).

102.82(2)(ar) (ar) The department may waive any payment owed under par. (a) or (ag) or sub. (1) if the department determines that the sole reason for the uninsured employer’s failure to comply with s. 102.28 (2) is that the uninsured employer was a victim of fraud, misrepresentation or gross negligence by an insurance agent or insurance broker or by a person whom a reasonable person would believe is an insurance agent or insurance broker.

102.82(2)(b) (b) The payment owed under par. (a) or (ag) is due within 30 days after the date on which the employer is notified. Interest shall accrue on amounts not paid when due at the rate of 1 percent per month.

102.82(2)(c) (c) The department of justice or, if the department of justice consents, the department of workforce development may bring an action in circuit court to recover payments and interest owed to the department of workforce development under this section.

102.82(3) (3) 

102.82(3)(a) (a) When an employee dies as a result of an injury for which an uninsured employer is liable under s. 102.03, the uninsured employer shall pay $1,000 to the department.

102.82(3)(b) (b) The payment under par. (a) is in addition to any benefits or other compensation paid to an employee or survivors or the work injury supplemental benefit fund under ss. 102.46 to 102.51.

102.82 History History: 1989 a. 64, 359; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 38; 2003 a. 144; 2009 a. 206; 2021 a. 232.

102.83 102.83 Collection of uninsured employer payments.

102.83(1) (1) 

102.83(1)(a) (a)

102.83(1)(a)1. 1. If an uninsured employer or any individual who is found personally liable under sub. (8) fails to pay to the department any amount owed to the department under s. 102.82 and no proceeding for review is pending, the department or any authorized representative may issue a warrant directed to the clerk of circuit court for any county of the state.

102.83(1)(a)2. 2. The clerk of circuit court shall enter in the judgment and lien docket the name of the uninsured employer or the individual mentioned in the warrant and the amount of the payments, interest, costs, and other fees for which the warrant is issued and the date when the warrant is entered.

102.83(1)(a)3. 3. A warrant entered under subd. 2. shall be considered in all respects as a final judgment constituting a perfected lien on the right, title, and interest of the uninsured employer or the individual in all of that person’s real and personal property located in the county where the warrant is entered. The lien is effective when the department issues the warrant under subd. 1. and shall continue until the amount owed, including interest, costs, and other fees to the date of payment, is paid.

102.83(1)(a)4. 4. After the warrant is entered in the judgment and lien docket, the department or any authorized representative may file an execution with the clerk of circuit court for filing by the clerk of circuit court with the sheriff of any county where real or personal property of the uninsured employer or the individual is found, commanding the sheriff to levy upon and sell sufficient real and personal property of the uninsured employer or the individual to pay the amount stated in the warrant in the same manner as upon an execution against property issued upon the judgment of a court of record, and to return the warrant to the department and pay to it the money collected by virtue of the warrant within 60 days after receipt of the warrant.