§ 405.831 - Waiver of right to appear at carrier hearing and present evidence.

If all parties waive their right to appear before the hearing officer and present evidence and contentions personally or by representative, it shall not be necessary for the hearing officer to give notice of or conduct a formal hearing as provided in §§ 405.825 through 405.830. A waiver of the right to appear is to be in writing and filed with the hearing officer or the carrier. Such waiver may be withdrawn by a party at any time prior to the mailing of notice of the decision in the case. Even though all of the parties have filed a waiver of the right to appear and present evidence and contentions at a hearing before the hearing officer, the hearing officer may, nevertheless, give notice of a time and place and conduct a hearing as provided in §§ 405.825 through 405.830, if he believes that the personal appearance and testimony of the party or parties would assist him to ascertain the facts at issue in the case. For purposes of this section, failure of the parties to appear shall not be cause for a finding of abandonment and the hearing officer shall make his decision on the basis of all evidence adduced.