Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part VIII - Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Chapter 121 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 121.34 - Objections to assessments

(a) A party receiving a notice of assessment amount to be collected from the Bureau may, within 15 days of receipt, object to the assessment reflected in the notice on the basis that it is excessive, erroneous, unlawful or invalid. Insured employers retain all rights provided under section 717 of the act (77 P. S. § 1035.17).

(b) Objections must be set forth in numbered paragraphs, specifically state the facts necessary to determine the validity of the challenged assessment or assessment amount and be accompanied by a supporting memorandum documenting the legal grounds for the objections.

(c) An objection to assessment or assessment amount shall be accompanied by a proof of service as specified in 1 Pa. Code § 33.35 (relating to proof of service) and a notice of appearance as specified in 1 Pa. Code § 31.24 (relating to notice of appearance), and be served on all interested parties as specified in 1 Pa. Code § 33.32 (relating to service by a participant).

(d) An objection not conforming to this section or the act will be rejected by the Bureau. The Bureau will notify the objecting party of the specific reasons for the rejection. The objecting party shall have 30 days to cure any deficiency.

(e) Upon receipt of an objection which conforms to this section and the act, the Department will hold a hearing in accordance with 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure). After the hearing, the Department will record its findings on any objections and will transmit to the objector, by registered or certified mail, notice of the amount, if any, charged against it in accordance with the findings. The amount shall be paid by the objector within 10 days after receipt of the findings. After payment has been made, the objector may initiate an action in the appropriate court to recover the payment of the assessment or any portion thereof. An insurer may not maintain an action to recover payment unless it has previously objected under subsection (a).