Court Opinion

ID: 9646600
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 13:04:18.813744+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:05.493088
License: Public Domain

ZAPPALA, Justice,
concurring.
While I join in the majority opinion, I am compelled to write separately to clarify the review powers of the Board. Under Section 423 of the Act, 77 P.S. § 854, “... the board may disregard the findings of fact of the referee if not supported by competent evidence and if it deem proper may hear other evidence, ....” (emphasis added). Since the Board may hear “other evidence”, it logically follows that the Board may appoint an impartial expert to give evidence regarding a relevant issue. Accordingly, under the facts of this case, I see no error in the action of the Board in remanding the matter to a new referee and appointing an impartial expert.
NIX, C.J., and McDERMOTT, J., join in this concurring opinion.