In making an investigation or inquiry or conducting a hearing the deputy commissioner or Board shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules of procedure, except as provided by this chapter; but may make such investigation or inquiry or conduct such hearing in such manner as to best ascertain the rights of the parties. Declarations of a deceased employee concerning the injury in respect of which the investigation or inquiry is being made or the hearing conducted shall be received in evidence and shall, if corroborated by other evidence, be sufficient to establish the injury.
Hearings before a deputy commissioner or Board shall be open to the public and shall be stenographically reported, and the deputy commissioners or Board, subject to the approval of the Secretary, are authorized to contract for the reporting of such hearings. The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the preparation of a record of the hearings and other proceedings before the deputy commissioners or Board.
Mar. 4, 1927, ch. 509, § 2344 Stat. 1437Pub. L. 92–576, § 15(e)86 Stat. 1262Pub. L. 98–426, § 27(a)(2)98 Stat. 1654(, ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 98–426section 902 of this title1984—Subsec. (b). substituted “Secretary” for “commission”. See Transfer of Functions note set out under .
Pub. L. 92–5761972— inserted references to the Board in subsecs. (a) and (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–426section 28(e)(1) of Pub. L. 98–426section 901 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Pub. L. 92–576section 22 of Pub. L. 92–576section 902 of this titleAmendment by effective 30 days after , see , set out as a note under .