KRS 341.420: Appointment of referees -- Appeals -- Effect on other proceedings.

(1) The secretary shall appoint one (1) or more impartial referees according to

KRS 341.125 to hear and decide appealed claims.

(2) A party to a determination may file an appeal to a referee as to any matter

therein within thirty (30) days after the date such determination was mailed to

his last known address.

(3) If benefits are allowed by a determination of the secretary, or a decision of a

referee, the commission, the secretary, or a reviewing-court, such benefits shall

be paid promptly without regard to the pendency of an appeal or period for

filing an appeal therefrom. If a determination or decision allowing benefits is

modified or reversed by a subsequent determination or decision, benefits shall

be paid or denied for weeks of unemployment thereafter in accordance with

such modification or denial. No injunction, supersedeas, stay or other writ or

process suspending payment of such benefits shall be issued.

(4) Unless such appeal is withdrawn, a referee, after affording the parties

reasonable opportunity for a fair hearing, shall affirm or modify the

determination. The parties shall be duly notified of his decision, together with

the reasons therefor, which shall be deemed to be the final decision unless

within thirty (30) days after the date of mailing of such decision, further appeal

is initiated under KRS 341.430.

(5) No finding of fact or law, judgment, conclusion, or final order made with respect

to a claim for unemployment compensation under this chapter may be

conclusive or binding in any separate or subsequent action or proceeding in

another forum, except proceedings under this chapter, regardless of whether

the prior action was between the same or related parties or involved the same

facts.