(1) Where an accident occurs in respect of which liability to pay compensation under this Chapter arises, a claim for such compensation may, subject to the provisions of this Chapter, be made before the competent authority.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), no application for the settlement of any matter by competent authority, other than an application by a dependant or joint application by dependants for compensation, shall be made unless and until some question has arisen between the parties in connection therewith which they have been unable to settle by agreement.
(3) An application to a competent authority for claim under sub-section (1) or settlement under sub-section (2) may be made electronically or otherwise in such form and in such manner accompanied by such fee, if any, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(4) The time-limit for the disposal of applications under this section and the costs incidental to the proceedings under this section to be imposed by the competent authority shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.