History, Mission, and Organization

The Nebraska Legislature enacted a state-wide system for resolving claims of work-related injuries and illnesses in 1913. Administration of what eventually became known as the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act was transferred to the Nebraska Judicial Branch in 1935 with a newly established three-judge court of specialized jurisdiction. The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is currently composed of six judges who hear disputed cases throughout the state. The court’s authority and responsibilities are described in Chapter 48, Article 1, of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska (cited as NEB. REV. STAT. § 48-152).

The mission of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is to administer and enforce all provisions of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act. Court personnel rely upon core values to accomplish this mission. Common goals include ensuring respectful, fair, and equal access to justice as well as maintaining integrity built on a foundation of service, trust, impartiality, excellence, and compassion.

Court personnel are organized into two operating divisions and eight operating sections. The Adjudication division, under the direction of the presiding judge, includes the judges and the Office of the Court Clerk. The Administration division, under the direction of the court administrator, includes the remaining sections: Accounting and Finance; Human Resources; Legal; Regulatory Programs; Vocational Rehabilitation; Public Information; Information Technology. The presiding judge is charged with overall responsibility for the functioning of the court, and the court administrator serves as its chief administrative officer.