Rocha v. State

OPINION

The key issue in this case is whether the fact that the plaintiff, Virginia A Rocha, chose to receive regular retirement benefits instead of disability retirement benefits upon her separation from employment was an irrelevant factor in the trial judge’s determination of her credibility and in his denial of workers’ compensation benefits. The Appellate Division of the Workers’ Compensation Court (appellate division) determined that the trial judge erred by relying on irrelevant factors in evaluating the plaintiffs credibility and reversed the decision of the trial judge. The employer,…