Hedegaard v. Knife River Coal Mining Co.

Claimant James P. Hedegaard appeals from the Workers’ Compensation Court’s limited conversion of his biweekly benefits to a lump sum award. We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Claimant is permanently totally disabled as the result of a back injury he suffered in 1980 and for which he has been receiving biweekly disability benefits. In May of 1986, claimant petitioned the Workers’ Compensation Court for a partial lump sum award of $9,181.27 to enable him to pay off the loan on his 1984 Ford LTD. Before the petition was heard, the 1984 Ford…