Opinion ID: 1210296
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: payment of post-accident wages

Text: Appellant's final contention, that under R.L.H. 1955, § 97-53, filing of her claim within the limitation period was rendered unnecessary because of the fact that after the accident appellee continued to pay appellant her wages without notice to appellant and the Director that such payments were not in lieu of compensation, is similarly without merit. Section 97-53 provides: § 97-53. When claim unnecessary. If payments of compensation have been made voluntarily by the employer or his insurance carrier, the making of a claim within the time prescribed in section 97-52 shall not be required. The term payments of compensation, as used in this section, shall not be construed to include voluntary payments in the nature of a gift and not intended as compensation, nor payments by welfare or benefit organizations operating under direction or control of the employer, nor payment for medical, surgical or hospital services and supplies, nor payments of wages during periods of partial or total disability for work if the employer notifies the employee and the director at the time in writing that such payments of wages are not in lieu of and shall not be considered payments of compensation. Appellee's payment of post-accident wages was neither voluntary nor intended as compensation for injuries within the meaning of Section 97-53, see Abdul v. American Factors, Ltd., 32 Haw. 503, 513 (1932); Stauss v. Industrial Commission of Colorado, 144 Colo. 288, 292, 355 P.2d 1076, 1078 (1960). The wages were for work actually performed by appellant. No wages were paid for time in which appellant was idle because of her injuries. In these circumstances, Section 97-53 does not apply. Affirmed.