High Court: Comp Judge Can Rule on Law She Sponsored in Assembly

The New Jersey Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed an appellate decision allowing a workers' compensation judge to hear a case involving legislation she sponsored as a member of the Assembly creating a presumption that COVID-19 is compensable for essential workers. The Appellate Division of the Superior Court in November 2024 held that a judge of compensation claims who formerly sponsored a bill is not automatically disqualified from presiding over cases implicating or interpreting that law. "Thus, a judge's personal knowledge of or experience with certain legislative histor...