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  2. Worker's Compensation
  3. Insurance Letters
  4. 548

Insurance Letter 548

Purpose

To inform claim handling offices and attorneys representing parties in WC disputes that effective January 1, 2026, worker’s compensation adjudicatory functions, including hearings, will be transferred to the Worker's Compensation Division in the Department of Workforce Development.

Background

2025 Wis. Act 33 provided for the transfer of worker’s compensation adjudicatory functions from the Division of Hearings and Appeals, Office of Worker's Compensation Hearings, under the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development.

Effective January 1, 2026, the mailing address for submitting Hearing Applications (WKC-7) and all other litigated and non-litigated mail will be to the Worker's Compensation Division at the above address. The address for the Milwaukee office will be: 819 N. Sixth St., Rm 723, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203.

The website for the Worker’s Compensation Division is https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc. The fax number for litigated mail is (608) 260-3053. The main phone number for calls regarding litigated cases is (608) 266-1340. Attorneys may continue to upload documents using the Litigated Case Portal System outlined in Insurance Letter No. 522.

The Administrator of the Worker's Compensation Division is John Dipko. The Deputy Administrator is Deena Driese. Jim O'Malley is the Director of the Bureau of Legal Services and oversees Hamdy Ezalarab, the Director of the Office of Legal Initiatives; Cathy Lake, the Attorney Supervisor of the Madison office; Samuel Weinberg, the Attorney Supervisor of the Milwaukee office; and Sebrina Smith, the Legal Associate Supervisor. The current telephone numbers of the ALJs will remain the same. The email addresses of the ALJs will be updated to reflect the change.

Action requested

This letter is informational and advisory.

Inquiries

For questions, contact Jim O'Malley, (608) 267-6704.

Enclosures

None