Contracts, agreements, or rules do not relieve employers of
obligations; voluntary settlement agreements; minors; approval;
effect
Sec. 15. (a) No contract, agreement (written or implied), rule, or
other device shall, in any manner, operate to relieve any employer in
whole or in part of any obligation created by IC 22-3-2 through
IC 22-3-6. However, nothing in IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6 shall be
construed as preventing the parties to claims under IC 22-3-2 through
IC 22-3-6 from entering into voluntary agreements in settlement
thereof, but no agreement by an employee or his dependents to waive
his rights under IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6 shall be valid nor shall
any agreement of settlement or compromise of any dispute or claim
for compensation under IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6 be valid until
approved by a member of the board, nor shall a member of the
worker's compensation board approve any settlement which is not in
accordance with the rights of the parties as given in IC 22-3-2
through IC 22-3-6. No such agreement shall be valid unless made
after seven (7) days from the date of the injury or death.
(b) A compromise settlement approved by a member of the
worker's compensation board during the employee's lifetime shall
extinguish and bar all claims for compensation for the employee's
death if the settlement compromises a dispute on any question or
issue other than the extent of disability or the rate of compensation.
(c) A minor dependent, by parent or legal guardian, may
compromise disputes and may enter into a compromise settlement
agreement, and upon approval by a member of the worker's
compensation board, the settlement agreement shall have the same
force and effect as though the minor had been an adult. The payment
of compensation by the employer in accordance with the settlement
agreement shall discharge the employer from all further obligation.
(Formerly: Acts 1929, c.172, s.15; Acts 1943, c.136, s.1; Acts 1945,
c.284, s.1; Acts 1974, P.L.108, SEC.6.) As amended by P.L.28-1988,
SEC.25; P.L.1-1991, SEC.148.
Last modified: May 27, 2006