WORKERS COMP & ESTATES – n KRS 342.180 did not apply to money received by an estate when a worker died without dependents: Williams v. Farmers Stockyard, Inc. (COA 8/7/2009)

Williams v. Farmers Stockyard, Inc.
2008-CA-000785 8/7/09 2009 WL 2408399

Opinion by Judge Caperton; Senior Judge Buckingham concurred; Judge Stumbo dissented by separate opinion.

On discretionary review, the Court affirmed a judgment of the circuit court reversing a district court order regarding creditors’ claims to workers’ compensation benefits paid to the estate of a deceased worker. The Court held that the creditor exemption in KRS 342.180 did not apply to money received by an estate when a worker died without dependents.