(a)(1) Within 30 days after the district director issues a schedule
pursuant to Sec. 725.410 of this part containing a designation of the
responsible operator liable for the payment of benefits, that operator
shall file a response with regard to its liability. The response shall
specifically indicate whether the operator agrees or disagrees with the
district director's designation.
(2) If the responsible operator designated by the district director
does not file a timely response, it shall be deemed to have accepted
the district director's designation with respect to its liability, and
to have waived its right to contest its liability in any further
proceeding conducted with respect to the claim.
(b) The responsible operator designated by the district director
may also file a statement accepting claimant's entitlement to benefits.
If that operator fails to file a timely response to the district
director's designation, the district director shall, upon receipt of
such a statement, issue a proposed decision and order in accordance
with Sec. 725.418 of this part. If the operator fails to file a
statement accepting the claimant's entitlement to benefits within 30
days after the district director issues a schedule pursuant to
Sec. 725.410 of this part, the operator shall be deemed to have
contested the claimant's entitlement.
