Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750 (2026)

Income benefits for death -- Additional lump-sum payment for deaths

✓ current as of May 2026

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occurring within four years of injury. If the injury causes death, income benefits shall be payable in the amount and to or for the benefit of the persons following, subject to the maximum limits specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section: (1) (a) If there is a widow or widower and no children of the deceased, to such widow or widower 50 percent of the average weekly wage of the deceased, during widowhood or widowerhood. (b) To the widow or widower, if there is a child or children living with the widow or widower, 45 percent of the average weekly wage of the deceased, or 40 percent, if such child is not or such children are not living with a widow or widower, and in addition thereto, 15 percent for each child. Where there are more than two (2) such children, the indemnity benefits payable on account of such children shall be divided among such children, share and share alike. (c) Two (2) years' indemnity benefits in one (1) lump sum shall be payable to a widow or widower upon remarriage. (d) To the children, if there is no widow or widower, 50 percent of such wage for one (1) child, and 15 percent for each additional child, divided among such children, share and share alike. (e) The income benefits payable on account of any child under this section shall cease when he dies, marries, or reaches the age of eighteen (18), or when a child over such age ceases to be physically or mentally incapable of self- support, or if actually dependent ceases to be actually dependent, or, if enrolled as a full-time student in any accredited educational institution, ceases to be so enrolled or reaches the age of 22. A child who originally qualified as a dependent by virtue of being less than 18 years of age may, upon reaching age 18, continue to qualify if he satisfies the tests of being physically or mentally incapable of self-support, actual dependency, or enrollment in an educational institution. (f) To each parent, if actually dependent, 25 percent. (g) To the brothers, sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren, if actually dependent, 25 percent to each such dependent. If there should be more than one (1) of such dependents, the total income benefits payable on account of such dependents shall be divided share and share alike. (h) The income benefits of each beneficiary under paragraphs (f) and (g) above shall be paid until he, if a parent or grandparent, dies, marries, or ceases to be actually dependent, or, if a brother, sister, or grandchild, dies, marries, or reaches the age of eighteen (18) or if over that age ceases to be physically or mentally incapable of self-support, or ceases to be actually dependent. (i) A person ceases to be actually dependent when his or her income from all sources exclusive of workers' compensation income benefits is such that, if it had existed at the time as of which the original determination of actual dependency was made, it would not have supported a finding of dependency. In any event, if the present annual income of an actual dependent person including workers' compensation income benefits at any time exceeds the total annual support received by the person from the deceased employee, the workers' compensation benefits shall be reduced so that the total annual income is no greater than such amount of annual support received from the deceased employee. In all cases, a person found to be actually dependent shall be presumed to be no longer actually dependent three (3) years after each time as of which the person was found to be actually dependent. This presumption may be overcome by proof of continued actual dependency as defined in this subsection, but full payments shall not be suspended during the pendency of any proceeding to determine dependency. (2) Upon the cessation of income benefits under this section to or on account of any person, the income benefits of the remaining persons entitled to income benefits for the unexpired part of the period during which their income benefits are payable shall be that which such persons would have received if they had been the only persons entitled to income benefits at the time of the decedent's death. (3) For the purposes of this section, the average weekly wage of the employee shall be taken as not more than the average weekly wage of the state as determined in KRS 342.740. In no case shall the aggregate weekly income benefits payable to all beneficiaries under this section exceed the maximum income benefit that was or would have been payable for total disability to the deceased, including benefits to his dependents. (4) The maximum weekly income benefits payable for all beneficiaries in case of death shall not exceed 75 percent of the average weekly wage of the deceased as calculated under KRS 342.140, subject to the maximum limits in subsection (3) above. The maximum aggregate limitation shall not operate in case of payment of two (2) years' income benefits to the widow or widower upon remarriage as provided under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, to prevent the immediate recalculation and payments of benefits to the remaining beneficiaries as provided under subsection (2) of this section, but the weekly income benefits as to such remaining beneficiaries shall not exceed the weekly income benefit that was or would have been payable for total disability to the deceased. The classes of beneficiaries specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of subsection (1) of this section shall have priority over all other beneficiaries in the apportionment of income benefits. If the provisions of this subsection should prevent payment to other beneficiaries of the income benefits to the full extent otherwise provided for by this section, the gross remaining amount of income benefits payable to such other beneficiaries shall be apportioned by class, proportionate to the interest of each class in the remaining amount. Parents shall be considered to be in one class and those specified in paragraph (f) of subsection (1) in another class. (5) All relations of dependency referred to in this section shall mean dependency existing at the time of the accident to the employee or at the time his or her disability from an occupational disease began. (6) In addition to other benefits as provided by this chapter, if death occurs within four (4) years of the date of injury as a direct result of a work-related injury, a lump-sum payment of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) shall be made to the deceased's estate, from which the cost of burial and cost of transportation of the body to the employee's place of residence shall be paid. Annually, the commissioner shall compute, in accordance with KRS 342.740, the increase or decrease in the state average weekly wage, and consistent therewith, shall adjust the amount of the lump- sum payment due under this subsection for injuries occurring in the succeeding year. (7) All benefits awarded pursuant to this section, other than those provided in subsection (6) of this section, shall be subject to the limitations contained in KRS 342.730(4). Effective: July 15, 2010 History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 1846, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 514, sec. 39, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1996 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 31, effective December 12, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 181, sec. 28, effective April 4, 1994. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 26, sec. 2, effective January 1, 1977. -- Created 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 78, sec. 16.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 63 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1975–2025 · leading case: Realty Improvement Co., Inc. v. Raley, 194 S.W.3d 818 (Ky. 2006).

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Realty Improvement Co., Inc. v. Raley, 194 S.W.3d 818 (Ky. 2006). · cites it 18× “The administrator sought death benefits under KRS 342.750 and asserted that the estate was entitled to a 30% increase in benefits under KRS 342.”

Brusman v. Newport Steel Corp., 17 S.W.3d 514 (Ky. 2000). · cites it 18× “Robert and the three children filed workers’ compensation claims for death benefits under KRS 342.750. They also claimed entitlement to a 15% penalty pursuant to KRS 342.”

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). · cites it 14× “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

Bradley v. Commonwealth, 301 S.W.3d 27 (Ky. 2009). · cites it 11× “The administrator of Mayo’s estate and the guardian/conservator of his minor child, Mejia, sought workers’ compensation benefits under KRS 342.750. The UEF was joined as a party because Wise failed to purchase workers’ compensation insurance or to qualify as a self-insurer.”

Brown v. Indiana Ins. Co., 184 S.W.3d 528 (Ky. 2005). · cites it 4× “690(1), the exclusive remedy available to the estates of Garcia and O'Banion would be death benefits payable under KRS 342.750 of the Workers' Compensation Act.”

Steven Lee Enter. v. Varney, 36 S.W.3d 391 (Ky. 2000). · cites it 7× “) By its own language, KRS 342.750 applies only to deaths caused by work-related injuries.”

Layne v. Newberg, 841 S.W.2d 181 (Ky. 1992). · cites it 5× “730(3)) and KRS 342.750 both provide for the continued payment of disability awards to certain classes of dependents of a claimant who dies before full benefits pursuant to the award are received.”

Riddle v. Scotty's Dev., Inc., 7 S.W.3d 385 (Ky. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 11× “46 and, noting that KRS 342.750 contained no provision for a minimum amount of benefits in such a *387 claim, awarded the children 50% of that wage, or $4.”

Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Samples, 192 S.W.3d 311 (Ky. 2006). · cites it 2× “730(3); KRS 342.750. Furthermore, an entitlement to future payments has substantially less value than an entitlement to immediate payment.”

Wright v. Oberle-Jordre Co., Inc., 910 S.W.2d 241 (Ky. 1995). · cites it 3× “The administrative law judge in Wright’s ease tersely concluded that the “amorphous right of Matha Wright to file' a claim following the death of her husband’ did not impact the ‘threshold’ issue of whether the claim was time barred.”

Elizabethtown Sportswear v. Stice, 720 S.W.2d 732 (Ky. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 2× “’ “The dependency or nondependency status of a widower is immaterial in a claim for death benefits under KRS 342.750(l)(a). See also KRS 342.075. That was not always the case.”

Wynn v. Ibold, Inc., 969 S.W.2d 695 (Ky. 1998). “730(4) provides as follows: If the injury or last exposure occurs prior to the employee’s sixty-fifth birthday, any income benefits awarded under KRS 342.750, 342.316, 342.732, or this section shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) each year thereafter until and including age…”

Show all 63 citing cases →

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(1) — 11 cases

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

Brusman v. Newport Steel Corp., 17 S.W.3d 514 (Ky. 2000). “Robert and the three children filed workers’ compensation claims for death benefits under KRS 342.750. They also claimed entitlement to a 15% penalty pursuant to KRS 342.”

Bradley v. Commonwealth, 301 S.W.3d 27 (Ky. 2009). “The administrator of Mayo’s estate and the guardian/conservator of his minor child, Mejia, sought workers’ compensation benefits under KRS 342.750. The UEF was joined as a party because Wise failed to purchase workers’ compensation insurance or to qualify as a self-insurer.”

Realty Improvement Co., Inc. v. Raley, 194 S.W.3d 818 (Ky. 2006). “The administrator sought death benefits under KRS 342.750 and asserted that the estate was entitled to a 30% increase in benefits under KRS 342.”

Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Journey Operating, LLC, 323 S.W.3d 696 (Ky. 2010).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(1)(a) — 6 cases

Campbell v. Hauler's Inc., 320 S.W.3d 707 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010).

Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't v. Karen Woodall Spouse of Steven Spillman (Ky. 2020).

Mamie Baytos Widow of Stephen Baytos v. Fam. Dollar (Ky. 2017).

Fam. Dollar v. Mamie Baytos Widow of Stephen Baytos (Ky. 2017).

Karen Woodall, Spouse of Steven R. Spillman v. Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't (Ky. 2020).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(1)(d) — 3 cases

Steven Lee Enter. v. Varney, 36 S.W.3d 391 (Ky. 2000). “) By its own language, KRS 342.750 applies only to deaths caused by work-related injuries.”

Modern Prop. Mgmt. v. Est. of Jeffrey Allen Wilburn (Deceased) (Ky. 2015).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(1)(e) — 2 cases

Steven Lee Enter. v. Varney, 36 S.W.3d 391 (Ky. 2000). “) By its own language, KRS 342.750 applies only to deaths caused by work-related injuries.”

Morsey, Inc. v. Cynthia Frazier, Widow of Daniel Frazier (Ky. 2008).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(3) — 1 case

Bluelinx v. Est. of David Williams (Ky. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(5) — 3 cases

Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't v. Karen Woodall Spouse of Steven Spillman (Ky. 2020).

Karen Woodall, Spouse of Steven R. Spillman v. Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't (Ky. 2020).

Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't v. Karen Woodall Spouse of Steven Spillman (Ky. 2020).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(6) — 19 cases

Williams v. Farmers Stockyard, Inc., 297 S.W.3d 586 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009).

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't v. Karen Woodall Spouse of Steven Spillman (Ky. 2020).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(7) — 1 case

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(l)(a) — 4 cases

Elizabethtown Sportswear v. Stice, 720 S.W.2d 732 (Ky. Ct. App. 1986). “’ “The dependency or nondependency status of a widower is immaterial in a claim for death benefits under KRS 342.750(l)(a). See also KRS 342.075. That was not always the case.”

Karen Woodall, Spouse of Steven R. Spillman v. Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't (Ky. 2020).

Calloway Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't v. Karen Woodall Spouse of Steven Spillman (Ky. 2020).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(l)(b) — 2 cases

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

Whittaker v. Randall Foods, Inc., 895 S.W.2d 571 (Ky. 1995).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(l)(c) — 3 cases

Layne v. Newberg, 841 S.W.2d 181 (Ky. 1992). “730(3)) and KRS 342.750 both provide for the continued payment of disability awards to certain classes of dependents of a claimant who dies before full benefits pursuant to the award are received.”

Pennwalt Corp. v. Beale, 840 S.W.2d 830 (Ky. Ct. App. 1992).

Plummer v. Sharondale Coal Corp., 834 S.W.2d 708 (Ky. Ct. App. 1992).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(l)(e) — 3 cases

Morsey, Inc. v. Frazier, 245 S.W.3d 757 (Ky. 2008). “730(3) and KRS 342.750(1) permit benefits to be paid to certain other individuals.”

Steven Lee Enter. v. Varney, 36 S.W.3d 391 (Ky. 2000). “) By its own language, KRS 342.750 applies only to deaths caused by work-related injuries.”

Kraft, Inc. v. Turner, 748 S.W.2d 155 (Ky. Ct. App. 1987).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 342.750(l)(i) — 2 cases

Mills v. Vaughn, 581 S.W.2d 29 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979).

Kraft, Inc. v. Turner, 748 S.W.2d 155 (Ky. Ct. App. 1987).

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