Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.680 (2026)

Presumptions in the case of death or of physical or mental inability to

✓ current as of May 2026
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testify. In any claim for compensation, where the employee has been killed, or is physically or mentally unable to testify as confirmed by competent medical evidence and where there is unrebutted prima facie evidence that indicates that the injury was work related, it shall be presumed, in the absence of substantial evidence to the contrary, that the injury was work related, that sufficient notice of the injury has been given, and that the injury or death was not proximately caused by the employee's intoxication or by his willful intention to injure or kill himself or another. Effective: December 12, 1996 History: Amended 1996 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 79, effective December 12, 1996. -- Created 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 78, sec. 8, effective January 1, 1973. Legislative Research Commission Note (12/12/96). 1996 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 79 stated that it was amending this statute, but the proposed changes to the statute were eliminated by legislative action on this Act although the statute itself was not deleted from the bill.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1976–2017 · leading case: Eddie's Serv. Ctr. v. Donna Thomas Adm'x of the Est. of Eddie Ray Thomas, Jr., 503 S.W.3d 881 (Ky. 2016).
Eddie's Serv. Ctr. v. Donna Thomas Adm'x of the Est. of Eddie Ray Thomas, Jr., 503 S.W.3d 881 (Ky. 2016). · cites it 4× “KRS 342.680. As we explained in AK Steel Corp.”
AK Steel Corp. v. Adkins, 253 S.W.3d 59 (Ky. 2008). · cites it 4× “Moreover, the presumption found in KRS 342.680 applies only to workers who cannot testify because they are dead or physically or mentally unable to do so.”
Williams v. White Castle Sys., Inc., 173 S.W.3d 231 (Ky. 2005). · cites it 5× “The Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) rejected arguments that the finding was erroneous under the positional risk theory and under KRS 342.680, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the Board.”
Haney v. Butler, 990 S.W.2d 611 (Ky. 1999). · cites it 3× “” KRS 342.680. With regard to the question of extraterritorial coverage, the ALJ cited KRS *614 342.”
Wilson v. Wizor, 544 S.W.2d 231 (Ky. 1976). · cites it 2× “10% by weight (ethyl alcohol) will not suffice to strip the decedent Billy Joe Wilson of the presumptions granted him and his dependents by the provisions of KRS 342.680. KRS 189.520(4) applies only to criminal prosecutions for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence…”
Lane v. S & S Tire, Inc., No. 15, 182 S.W.3d 501 (Ky. 2006). “KRS 342.680 addresses the problem of proving work-relatedness in instances where the injured worker dies and, therefore, is unable to testify.”
Evansville Printing Corp. v. Sugg, 817 S.W.2d 455 (Ky. Ct. App. 1991). “KRS 342.680 provides: Presumption. — In any claim for compensation, where the employe has been killed, or is physically or mentally unable to testify as confirmed by competent medical evidence and where there is un-rebutted prima facie evidence that indicates that the injury was…”
Teague ex rel. Teague v. South Cent. Bell, 585 S.W.2d 425 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979). · cites it 2× “” I Was the injury work related? KRS 342.680 offers a presumption in favor of the claimant in situations where the employee suffers an injury and subsequently dies.”
Eddie's Serv. Ctr. v. Donna Thomas Adm'x of the Est. of Eddie Ray Thomas, Jr. (Ky. 2017). · cites it 2× “KRS 342.680. As we explained in AK Steel Corp.”
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