Opinion ID: 2287166
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: Although KRS 342.305 gives a circuit court jurisdiction over matters concerning the enforcement of a final award, KRS 342.325 gives an ALJ jurisdiction over all questions arising under Chapter 342. KRS 342.125(1) permits an ALJ to reopen a final workers' compensation award based upon an allegation of mistake [10] or fraud. [11] KRS 342.125(l)(a) includes an allegation of fraud or constructive fraud on the tribunal. [12] The ALJ recognized properly that the present reopening differed from a simple attempt to enforce a final award and differed from a dispute between insurance carriers over reimbursement for previously-paid benefits, such as occurred in Custard Ins. Adjusters, Inc. v. Aldridge. [13] At issue was whether Zurich's conduct during the initial workers' compensation proceeding amounted to a constructive fraud that affected the accuracy and integrity of the ALJ's decision and, thus, estopped Zurich from later denying that it was liable for continued payments under the Tennessee policy.