C.R.S. Section 8-43-204
Settlements

  • rules

(1)

An injured employee may settle all or part of any claim for compensation, benefits, penalties, or interest. If such settlement provides by its terms that the employee’s claim or award shall not be reopened, such settlement shall not be subject to being reopened under any provisions of articles 40 to 47 of this title other than on the ground of fraud or mutual mistake of material fact.

(2)

Such a settlement shall be in writing and shall be signed by a representative of the employer or insurer and signed and sworn to by the injured employee. For claims that have a settlement amount of seventy-five thousand dollars or more, a written notice of the settlement agreement shall be provided to the employer.

(3)

The settlement shall be reviewed in person with the injured employee and approved in writing by an administrative law judge or the director of the division prior to the finalization of such settlement. The settlement shall be filed with the division as a part of the injured employee’s permanent record.

(4)

If an employee owes child support and a garnishment has been filed pursuant to section 13-54.5-101, C.R.S., or the state child support enforcement agency has filed a notice of administrative lien and attachment pursuant to section 26-13-122, C.R.S., with the insurer or self-insured employer, all proceeds of any award, lump sum settlement, and the indemnity portion of any structured settlement shall be subject to said garnishment or administrative lien and attachment. Proceeds up to the amount of the garnishment or administrative lien and attachment shall be paid as directed on the notice to the obligee or to the state child support enforcement agency on behalf of the obligee to whom support is owed.

(5)

If an employee owes a debt for which a writ is issued as a result of a judgment for fraudulently obtained public assistance, fraudulently obtained overpayments of public assistance, or excess public assistance paid for which the recipient was ineligible and a garnishment has been filed pursuant to section 13-54-104 or 13-54.5-101 with the insurer or self-insured employer, all proceeds of any award, lump sum settlement, and the indemnity portion of any structured settlement are subject to the garnishment. Proceeds up to the amount of the garnishment shall be paid as directed by the county department of human or social services responsible for administering the state public assistance programs.

(6)

To aid in settlement, the director shall review mortality tables from the United States government and private industry and issue rules establishing a single life expectancy table on July 1 in every even-numbered year, commencing July 1, 2010. The director may adopt current mortality tables used by medicare. Nothing in this subsection (6) shall be construed to limit the use of rated ages.

(7)

Any lump sum payable as a full or partial settlement shall be paid to the claimant or the claimant’s attorney within fifteen calendar days after the date the executed settlement order is received by the carrier or the noninsured or self-insured employer.

(8)

The director shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the procedure to review and approve settlement documents. At a minimum, the rules must:

(a)

Allow a represented claimant to submit settlement documents for approval by electronic mail;

(b)

Provide for the approval of settlement documents if the claimant’s signature is not an original but is notarized; and

(c)

Require the division to electronically mail to counsel of record, or to the insurance carrier or self-insured employer if not represented, a copy of the division’s order approving the settlement agreement of the parties.

Source: Section 8-43-204 — Settlements - rules, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-08.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

8‑43‑101
Record of injuries - occupational disease - reported to division - rules - definition 8‑43‑102
Notice to employer of injury - notice to employees - failure to report 8‑43‑103
Notice of injury - time limit 8‑43‑104
Electronic filings - rules 8‑43‑201
Disputes arising under “Workers’ Compensation Act of Colorado” 8‑43‑202
Director may refer taking of evidence in cases to appropriate officials of other states 8‑43‑203
Notice concerning liability - notice to claimants - notice of rights and claims process - rules 8‑43‑204
Settlements - rules 8‑43‑205
Mediation 8‑43‑206
Settlement conference procedures 8‑43‑206.5
Right to binding arbitration for resolution of disputes under articles 40 to 47 8‑43‑207
Hearings 8‑43‑207.5
Prehearing conferences - rules - definition 8‑43‑208
Investigations 8‑43‑209
Time schedule for hearings - establishment 8‑43‑210
Evidence 8‑43‑211
Notice - request for hearing 8‑43‑212
Compulsion of testimony 8‑43‑213
Transcripts 8‑43‑214
Transcript certified - evidence 8‑43‑215
Orders 8‑43‑217
Claims management - legislative declaration 8‑43‑218
Authority of director 8‑43‑219
Not a limitation on rights or privileges 8‑43‑220
Injured worker exit survey 8‑43‑301
Petitions to review 8‑43‑302
Corrected orders 8‑43‑303
Reopening 8‑43‑304
Violations - penalty - offset for benefits obtained through fraud - rules 8‑43‑304.5
Penalties in rate-making 8‑43‑305
Each day separate offense 8‑43‑306
Collection of fines, penalties, and overpayments 8‑43‑307
Appeals to court of appeals 8‑43‑308
Causes for setting aside award 8‑43‑309
Actions in court tried within thirty days 8‑43‑310
Error disregarded unless prejudicial 8‑43‑311
Court record transmitted to industrial claim appeals office - when 8‑43‑312
Court may remand case or order entry of award 8‑43‑313
Summary review by supreme court 8‑43‑314
Fees - costs - duty of district attorneys and attorney general 8‑43‑315
Witnesses and testimony - mileage - fees - costs 8‑43‑316
Appearance by officer for closely held entity 8‑43‑317
Service of documents 8‑43‑318
Remand of case or order - time limit for further proceedings consistent with ruling on appeal 8‑43‑401
District attorney or attorney of division to act for director or office - penalties for failure of insurer to pay benefits 8‑43‑401.5
Financial incentives to deny or delay claim or medical care - prohibition - penalties 8‑43‑402
False statement - felony 8‑43‑403
Attorney fees 8‑43‑404
Examination - refusal - personal responsibility - physicians to testify and furnish results - injured worker right to select treating physicians - injured worker right to third-party communications - definitions - rules 8‑43‑405
Payment as discharge of liability - conflicting claims 8‑43‑406
Compensation in lump sum 8‑43‑407
Election to waive vocational rehabilitation benefits and become subject to permanent partial disability provisions 8‑43‑408
Default of employer - additional liability 8‑43‑409
Defaulting employers - penalties - enjoined from continuing business - fines - procedure - definition - repeal 8‑43‑410
Right to compensation operates as lien - interest on award 8‑43‑501
Utilization review process - legislative declaration - cash fund 8‑43‑502
Independent medical examinations 8‑43‑503
Utilization review of health-care providers 8‑43‑601
Short title 8‑43‑602
Legislative declaration 8‑43‑603
Definitions 8‑43‑604
Performance programs 8‑43‑605
Due process 8‑43‑606
Enforcement 8‑43‑607
Filing with director
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 8-43-204’s source at colorado​.gov