Industrial Claim Appeals Office v. Orth

This workers’ compensation action concerns the scope of authority granted to a Prehearing Administrative Law Judge (“PALJ”) by the Workers’ Compensation Act. See §§ 8-40-201 to 8-47-203, 3 C.R.S. (1997). We granted certiorari to determine whether a PALJ may approve a settlement agreement that purports to close a workers’ compensation case pursuant to section 8-43-204, 3 C.R.S. (1997), and whether such approval is a final order subject to review.1 We hold that a PALJ possesses jurisdiction to approve a workers’ compensation settlement agreement, and that such approval is final for purposes of…