Section 31-3-5 Limitation on Time for Presentation of Claims; Rules of Evidence and Procedure for Determination of Claims Generally.

(a) All claims for compensation as provided in this chapter shall be presented to the awarding authority within one year from the date of the death of the Alabama national guardsman on whom the claimant was dependent; otherwise, they are forfeited. All such claims shall be presented in the form prescribed by the awarding authority. Proof of the facts and circumstances of the Alabama national guardsman’s death and the claimant’s relationship to and dependence upon such guardsman shall be made in the manner prescribed by the awarding authority. (b) The awarding authority is hereby authorized to prescribe such forms and adopt such rules of evidence and procedure as it deems necessary or proper, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, for the proper determination of all claims for compensation under this chapter.