C.R.S. Section 8-43-303
Reopening

(1)

At any time within six years after the date of injury, the director or an administrative law judge may, after notice to all parties, review and reopen any award on the ground of fraud, an overpayment involving the circumstances described in section 8-42-113.5, an error, a mistake, or a change in condition, except for those settlements entered into pursuant to section 8-43-204 in which the claimant waived all rights to reopen an award; but a settlement may be reopened at any time on the ground of fraud or mutual mistake of material fact. In cases involving the circumstances described in section 8-42-113.5, recovery of overpayments shall be ordered in accordance with said section. If an award is reopened on grounds of an error, a mistake, or a change in condition, compensation and medical benefits previously ordered may be ended, diminished, maintained, or increased. Reopening does not affect the earlier award as to money already paid except in cases of fraud. Any order entered under this subsection (1) is subject to review in the same manner as other orders.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

At any time within two years after the date the last temporary or permanent disability benefits or dependent benefits excluding medical benefits become due or payable, the director or an administrative law judge may, after notice to all parties, review and reopen an award on the ground of fraud, an overpayment, an error, a mistake, or a change in condition, except for those settlements entered into pursuant to section 8-43-204 in which the claimant waived all right to reopen an award; but a settlement may be reopened at any time on the ground of fraud or mutual mistake of material fact. Upon a prima facie showing that the claimant received overpayments, the award shall be reopened solely as to overpayments and repayment shall be ordered. In cases involving the circumstances described in section 8-42-113.5, recovery of overpayments shall be ordered in accordance with said section. If an award is reopened under this paragraph (a) on grounds of an error, a mistake, or a change in condition, compensation and medical benefits previously ordered may be ended, diminished, maintained, or increased. No such reopening shall affect the earlier award as to moneys already paid except in cases of fraud or overpayment. Any order entered under this paragraph (a) shall be subject to review in the same manner as other orders.

(b)

At any time within two years after the date the last medical benefits become due and payable, the director or an administrative law judge may, after notice to all parties, review and reopen an award only as to medical benefits on the ground of an error, a mistake, or a change in condition, except for those settlements entered into pursuant to section 8-43-204 in which the claimant waived all right to reopen an award; but a settlement may be reopened at any time on the ground of fraud or mutual mistake of material fact. If an award is reopened under this paragraph (b), medical benefits previously ordered may be ended, diminished, maintained, or increased. No such reopening shall affect the earlier award as to moneys already paid. Any order entered under this paragraph (b) shall be subject to review in the same manner as other orders.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

When a claimant has been awarded permanent total disability benefits, the award may be reopened at any time to determine if the claimant has returned to employment. If the claimant has returned to employment and has earned in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars per year or has participated in activities that indicate that the claimant has the ability to return to employment and earn in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars in a year, the claimant’s permanent total disability award shall cease and the claimant is not entitled to further permanent total disability benefits as a result of the injury or occupational disease that led to the original permanent total disability award. Any subsequent permanent partial disability benefits awarded for the same injury or occupational disease shall be decreased by the amount of permanent total disability benefits previously received by the employee.

(b)

On July 1, 2022, and each July 1 thereafter, for injuries sustained on or after January 1, 2022, the director shall adjust the amount of earnings required for ceasing permanent total disability by the percentage of the adjustment made by the director to the state average weekly wage pursuant to section 8-47-106.

(4)

The party attempting to reopen an issue or claim shall bear the burden of proof as to any issues sought to be reopened.

Source: Section 8-43-303 — Reopening, 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

§ 8-43-303’s source at colorado​.gov