Judicial Section
How to file for a hearing (general): Practice and Procedure Guide
How to file for a hearing (unrepresented): K-WC 28
Office Locations: Office Locations
If a worker and employer have a disagreement about workers compensation benefits, the division's Judicial
unit provides a forum for promptly resolving the issue.
The division has 10 administrative law judges throughout the state whose primary function is to conduct timely hearings in contested workers compensation claims, and render orders based on the facts presented, as applied to
the workers compensation act. For an initial determination of benefits, preliminary hearings are set on a priority basis, and preliminary decisions are issued within
five days of the hearing. A list of the workers compensation
administrative law judges and their contact information is available.
Also available online is a listing of the counties served by each administrative law judge, a
districting map showing the areas of coverage by each judge, and a survey of attorneys
who practice in front of the Workers Compensation administrative law judges and rated them on fairness, knowledge of the law and courtroom decorum.
To set a hearing before an administrative law judge, the worker or employer must file an application for hearing with the division. To download hearing application forms [K-WC E 1, E 2, E 3, E 4 or E 5], go to
Hearings and Settlements Forms. For more information on hearing procedures, please see the
Practice and Procedure Guide * or contact
the Ombudsman Section at (800) 332-0353 or (785) 296-4000.
Special administrative law judges conduct settlement hearings for the Division. A list of these special judges and contact information is available.
Court reporters produce transcripts of hearing proceedings.
Disputes over workers compensation benefits can also be resolved by mediation. The division's Mediation Section will provide
a certified mediator, free of charge, to help the worker and employer reach an agreement on contested issues. Please contact the Mediation Section at (800) 332-0353 or (785) 296-4000. For additional information, download the
[mediation brochure] K-WC P-100 and the Workers Compensation Practice and Procedure Guide.*
* This guide is being revised to reflect changes in the law effective May 15, 2011.