She followed her usual procedure, regular mail, not return receipt requested, when she sent the form. In the spring of 1996, claimant received mail at a post office box in Burlington that she checked every day. She testified that when checks from Farm Family stopped in early May 1996, she responded by calling the insurance company. The Department received the Form 27 with the supporting letter from Mr. Spiegel on April 22, 1996. Claimant submitted evidence of her contingency fee agreement with her attorney, statement of hours worked on this case and a request for costs.
All amounts requested are reasonable.
Ordinarily, the defendant would have the burden of proving not only that it sent, but also that claimant received, its notice of intention to discontinue benefits. Workers' Compensation Rule 18, see also Rocque v. Co-Operative Fire Ins. In her normal course of business Ms. Shea mailed the Form 27 to claimant. When a letter, properly addressed, is mailed there is a presumption of its receipt in due course.