Opinion ID: 2160512
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Canastra v. Board of Trustees, Police and Firemen's Retirement System

Text: Donald J. Canastra began his employment as a detective for Middlesex County in 1965; he enrolled in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System in 1969. On August 24, 1977, Canastra, while investigating organized crime and vice, was gathering information that would be used to prepare a wiretap affidavit. The mishap at issue here occurred at about 3:30 p.m. when Canastra was returning to headquarters. As Canastra alighted from an unmarked police car, he stepped on a large stone in the headquarters parking lot. In the officer's words, [u]pon exiting the vehicle, I wrenched my leg, I went almost to the ground and then I observed that what I had stepped on was a large blue stone. The stone was of a type commonly used in parking areas, although in this instance it was four or five inches in size instead of the usual size of about one inch. Canastra reached for and held onto the car for support but at no time did he make contact with the ground. Canastra stated that he felt a funny sensation in the knee and that he was unable to straighten his right leg. The knee also swelled on the right side. After limping from the parking area to his office, the officer sought medical treatment, which basically consisted of wrapping the knee in a bandage and soaking it in hot water to reduce the swelling. The doctor who examined Canastra also gave him something for pain, although the record is not clear on the amount or type of drug actually used. Canastra missed approximately two weeks of work on account of the injury. After returning to duty, he did mostly paperwork, and for some time he used a cane to walk. His attendance on the job became sporadic, however, because his knee would swell during the day and he would have to return home to apply heat. Canastra timely filed for an accidental disability retirement allowance on October 20, 1981. After the Board of Trustees denied the officer's application, a hearing was held before the same ALJ who had presided in the Kane matter. The Judge concluded that because the incident in the headquarters parking lot constituted a traumatic event, an accidental disability retirement allowance should be awarded. The Board rejected that conclusion and issued its final determination denying Canastra the requested relief. Canastra appealed the Board's final determination to the Appellate Division, which reversed the Board's decision. It held that the officer was entitled to an accidental disability retirement allowance. We granted certification, 99 N.J. 160 (1984).