(1) A claim may be filed by a person eligible to receive an award, as provided in Section 16-3-1210, or, if the person is an incompetent or a minor, by his parent or legal guardian or other individual authorized to administer his affairs.
(2) A claim must be filed by the claimant not later than one hundred eighty days after the latest of the following three events:
(a) the occurrence of the crime upon which the claim is based;
(b) the death of the victim; or
(c) the discovery by the law enforcement agency that the occurrence was the result of crime. Upon good cause shown, the time for filing may be extended for a period not to exceed four years after the occurrence or death. "Good cause" for the above purposes includes reliance upon advice of an official victim assistance specialist who either misinformed or neglected to inform a victim of rights and benefits of the Victim's Compensation Fund but does not mean simply ignorance of the law.
(3) Claims must be filed in the office of the Deputy Director by mail or in person. The Deputy Director shall accept for filing all claims submitted by persons eligible under subsection (1) of this section and meeting the requirements as to the form of the claim contained in the regulations of the Board.