HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0683.005 1998-2000 vv or
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ALAN S. KONISHI DONALD IKEDA
Cnuuty Clerk Deputy L'ounty Clerk
~ "r+~ CONSTANCE R. KIRIU
Legislative Auditor
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK
county of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building
15 Aupuni Street RKEIVED
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 flme.____.. ~ u„
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,.:,~Counry Council r _
March 28, 2000
TO: Council Members
FROM: Constance R. Kiriu~~--
Legislative Auditor
RE: Workers' Compensation Claims
Corporation Counsel Response
For your information, attached is a response from Corporation Counsel Richard Wurdeman
relating to your question of why Section 2-9, Hawaii County Code, (claims over $1,500 require
council approval) has not applied to workers' compensation claims.
Based upon Mr. Wurdeman's response, there does not appear to be a valid reason why workers'
compensation claims follow a different approval track.
I would like to document our county's procedure for processing a worker's compensation claim
as well as examining the other counties' law and procedures. From this research, we can provide
the council with better direction.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Att.
cc: Jay Sasan, Safety Coordinator
Deputy Corporation Counsel Lester Ishado
Legislative Assistant Walter Iida
Comm. No. 603.005
File No.
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stet. llate APR 0 4 2000
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ALAN S. KONISHI DONALD IKEDA
Counry Clerk , ~ Deputy County Clerk
~EONSlP.4?~E R. KIRIU
Legislative Auditor
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLE~ 0 ; L3 17 Pfl 2 27
County ofHawaii
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni S[reet ~ _ _
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Hilo, Hawaii 96710 _ _ / ~
February 10, 2000
TO: Richard Wurdeman
Corporation Counsel
FROM: Connie Kiri~,f; (l~A.J
Legislative Auditor
RE: Workers' Compensation Claims
The County Council has questioned why Section 2-9, Hawaii County Code, has not applied to
workers' compensation claims. The Council has not been involved in approving or denying
workers' compensation claims in excess of $1,500. Does the authority of state law preempt the
County Code?
We also note that the Council has not received quarterly reports of settlements as required by
law.
cc: Assistant Corporation Counsel Ted Hong
Council Members
Stephen K. Yamashiro Richard Wurdeman
M.ryor Coryomuon Counsel
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OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
10I Aupuni Street, Suite 325 ~ Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262 ~ (808) 961-8251 ~ Pax (808) 96L8622
March 2, 2000
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TO: CONNIE KIRIU ~
Legislative Auditor ..o c9'
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FROM: RICHARD D. WURDEMAN
Corporation Counsel
RE: WORKER'S COMPENSATION CLAIMS
You have asked the question why Section 2-9 of the Hawaii County Code does not apply to
Worker's Compensation claims. The best answer I can give is that:
1. Historically, it has never applied.
2. Such settlements are not approved by the Corporation Counsel, but by the Safety
Director and the Mayor. Until recently, when a Deputy Corporation Counsel was
placed at the Worker's Compensation Office, these settlements often were made
without any input from or knowledge by, anyone from this office.
3. These payments are not made from the Claims and Settlements Accounts.
You have correctly reminded us that quarterly settlement reports have not been transmitted
recently. The employee responsible for their preparation has been reminded, and is presently
preparing the current report.
RDW:b3
KIRI U-1VLoinp claims