Colorado § 8-43-405 - Payment as discharge of liability - conflicting claims.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-43-405 — Payment as discharge of liability - conflicting claims., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 8-43-405. Payment as discharge of liability - conflicting claims.
Payment of death benefits to one or more dependents shall protect and discharge to that extent all compensation under articles 40 to 47 of this title unless and until any other person claiming to be a dependent has given the division notice of said person's claim and until the division has notified the employer or the employer's insurance carrier of such claim. In such case, the director or an administrative law judge shall determine the respective rights of said rival claimants, and thereafter such death benefits shall be paid to such dependents as the director or the administrative law judge may find so entitled under the provisions of said articles.
Source: L. 90: Entire article R&RE, p. 515, § 1, effective July 1. L. 94: Entire section amended, p. 1880, § 15, effective June 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 8-50-117 as it existed prior to 1990.
ANNOTATION
Annotator's note. Since § 8-43-405 is similar to § 8-50-117 as it existed prior to the 1990 repeal and reenactment of the "Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado", articles 40 to 47 of this title, a relevant case construing that provision has been included in the annotations to this section.
The purpose of this section is, of course, to enable the employer, when an award has been made, to rest upon it and make his payments in safety, secure that other dependents could not appear and say he had paid the wrong person. Colo. Fuel & Iron Co. v. Indus. Comm'n, 74 Colo. 228, 220 P. 498 (1923).
And the employer is not bound to search out the dependents. The dependents must appear and make their rights known. Colo. Fuel & Iron Co. v. Indus. Comm'n, 74 Colo. 228, 220 P. 498 (1923).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 8-43-405
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-43-405 cover?
Section 8-43-405 ("Payment as discharge of liability - conflicting claims.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 8-43-405?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-43-405" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 8-43-405 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.