Contact Us
Workers Compensation Division
401 SW Topeka Blvd, Suite 2
Topeka, KS 66603-3105
Mediation and Judicial Services
Mediation is a means of resolving disputes in an informal and non-adversarial atmosphere with a third party (mediator) to facilitate discussion. Mediation allows the parties to negotiate a resolution to their disputes and to avoid the expenses and uncertainty of litigating their disputes in court. The issues that can be mediated are not restricted to medical or temporary total disability benefits.
Workers Compensation Judicial Services can only be used for disagreements regarding workers' compensation benefits. 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.
Current Remote & Onsite ALJ Hearing & PHSC Availability
As we have begun opening the regional offices to onsite hearings & PHSCs (Topeka is currently not open) the ALJs have set their remote vs. onsite policy going forward. A summary table is provided below. For more information contact the judge's office.
Hearing Location Options by Type
ALJ | PHSC | Prelim | Regular | Motion | Post-award | Rev & Mod |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bogdan | Remote |
Remote- In Person on Wednesday only |
Remote- In Person on Wednesday only |
Remote- In Person on Wednesday only |
Remote- In Person on Wednesday only |
Remote- In Person on Wednesday only |
Brown | Remote | Remote* or In Person on Tuesday afternoon | Remote* | Remote* | Remote* or In Person on Tuesday afternoon | Remote* |
Gurney | Remote | Garden City - In person 1st Monday of the month; Liberal - In person the following Tuesday; Wichita - Remote* | Garden City - In person 1st Monday of the month; Liberal - In person the following Tuesday; Wichita - Remote* | Garden City - In person 1st Monday of the month; Liberal - In person the following Tuesday; Wichita - Remote* | Garden City - In person 1st Monday of the month; Liberal - In person the following Tuesday; Wichita - Remote* | Garden City - In person 1st Monday of the month; Liberal - In person the following Tuesday; Wichita - Remote* |
Hursh | Remote | In person | In person** | In person | In person | In person |
Jones | Remote | In person | In person | In person | In person | In person |
Klein | Remote | In person | In person | In person | In person | In person |
Larson | Remote | Alternating weeks Remote/In person | Alternating weeks Remote/In person | Alternating weeks Remote/In person | Alternating weeks Remote/In person | Alternating weeks Remote/In-person |
Marchant | Remote | In person | In person | In person | In person | In person |
Moore | Remote* | Remote* | Remote* | Remote* | Remote* | Remote* |
Sample | Remote | In person | In person** | In person | In person | In person |
*If Remote by Default, the judge may hold an in-person hearing by request. Contact their office for details.
**May allow remote option for regular hearings if the hearing will only consist of stipulations and no testimony.
The Board will hold in-person hearings beginning June 15, 2023.
The Workers Compensation Appeals Board will conduct oral arguments in person at the Kansas Department of Labor building, 401 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, Kansas after that location reopens to the public. Zoom hearings will only be scheduled when both parties agree to a zoom hearing setting. If the parties both agree to the zoom option, the request must be in writing (email is sufficient to Christina.Mitchell@ks.gov). Such request must be made 7 days prior to the hearing date.