(a) At any time during the processing of a claim under this part, after sufficient evidence has been made available to the deputy commissioner, the deputy commissioner may identify a coal miner operator (see 725.491) which may be liable for the payment of the claim in accordance with the criteria contained in subpart F of this part. Such identification shall be made as soon after the filing of the claim as the evidence obtained permits. If the claim is subject to review under part 727 of this subchapter, the deputy commissioner may proceed to make initial findings (725.410) with respect to a claim before identifying a potentially liable coal mine operator. In the case of a claim subject to review under part 727 of the subchapter which is denied by reason of abandonment (see 725.409), the deputy commissioner may decline to identify and notify an operator, unless a timely request for a hearing is made by the claimant.
(b) After the deputy commissioner identifies an operator which may be liable for payment of benefits, the deputy commissioner shall notify such operator in writing. Such notification shall include a copy of the claimant's claim form and a copy of all documentary evidence pertaining to the claim obtained by the deputy commissioner, if any, and the initial findings of the deputy commissioner, if any. All documents sent to an operator in accordance with this paragraph shall also be provided by the deputy commissioner to the claimant or his or her authorized representative.
(c) If within one year after the final adjudication of a claim, the adjudication officer determines that an operator which may be liable for the payment of benefits has not been notified under this section, such adjudication officer shall give notice of possible liability and an opportunity to respond to such operator. The adjudication officer shall then take such further action on the claim as may be appropriate. There shall be no time limit applicable to a later identification of an operator under this paragraph if the operator fraudulently concealed its identity as an employer of the miner.
(d) If, in any case, there is a dispute between two or more operators as to which may be liable for the payment of benefits to the claimant, all such operators shall be notified under this section and the issue of which operator is liable shall be determined by the appropriate adjudication officer.