44-534. Proceedings; time limitations; electronic filing system authorized. (a) Whenever the employer, worker, Kansas workers compensation fund or insurance carrier cannot agree upon the worker's right to compensation under the workers compensation act or upon any issue in regard to workers compensation benefits due the injured worker thereunder, the employer, worker, Kansas worker's compensation fund or insurance carrier may apply in writing to the director for a determination of the benefits or compensation due or claimed to be due. The application shall be filed in the form prescribed by the rules and regulations of the director, including requirements for electronic filing, and the application shall set forth the substantial and material facts in relation to the claim. Whenever an application is filed under this section, the matter shall be assigned to an administrative law judge. The director shall forthwith mail a certified copy of the application to the adverse party. The administrative law judge shall proceed, upon due and reasonable notice to the parties, which shall not be less than 20 days, to hear all evidence in relation thereto and to make findings concerning the amount of compensation, if any due to the worker.

(b) No proceeding for compensation shall be maintained under the workers compensation act unless an application for a hearing is on file in the office of the director within three years of the date of the accident or within two years of the date of the last payment of compensation, whichever is later.

(c) After implementation of rules and regulations by the director, if the workers compensation electronic filing system is inaccessible on the last day for filing, then the time for filing shall be extended to the first accessible day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. As used in this subsection:

(1) "Last day" means:

(A) For electronic or facsimile filing, at midnight in the division's time zone on the final day for filing; and

(B) for filing by other means, at 5 p.m. in the division's time zone on the final day for filing; and

(2) "legal holiday" means any day declared a holiday by the president of the United States, the congress of the United States or the legislature of this state, or any day observed as a holiday by order of the governor. A half holiday shall be treated as other days and not as a holiday.

History: L. 1927, ch. 232, § 41; L. 1974, ch. 203, § 33; L. 1993, ch. 286, § 48; L. 1997, ch. 125, § 8; L. 1998, ch. 114, § 3; L. 2016, ch. 98, § 2; July 1.