33 U.S.C. § 923 : US Code - Section 923: Procedure before deputy commissioner or Board

Search 33 U.S.C. § 923 : US Code - Section 923: Procedure before deputy commissioner or Board

(a) 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.
(b) 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.