Court Opinion

ID: 9627991
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 09:02:43.502791+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:55.020654
License: Public Domain

Allegrucci, J.,
dissenting:
I disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the Act as amended continues to be an adequate substitute remedy. The legislature responds to a so-called “crisis” by restricting or reducing the right of an injured citizen to a remedy by due course of law. However, as noted by the majority, when the legislature provides a substitute remedy, its authority to subsequently alter that remedy is not unlimited. The legislature cannot alter the remedy to the point “it is no longer a viable and sufficient substitute remedy.” Bair v. Peck, 248 Kan. 824, Syl. ¶ 16, 811 P.2d 1176 (1991). As in the amendments to the Health Care Provider Insurance Availability Act at issue in Bair, I am unable to determine at what point, if any, the majority would conclude the legislature went too far in altering a substitute remedy. I would conclude that the Workers Compensation Act, as amended, no longer provides an adequate quid pro quo. I therefore dissent.