WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION 
BOARD 
The Workmen’s Compensation Board is a quasi- 
judicial body within the Department of Labor and 
Industry, whose primary function is to hear claims 
and appeals in disputed cases arising under the 
Workmen’s Compensation Law. 
The Board consists of three members appointed by 
the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for terms 
of four years, the terms of office, however, continu- 
ing until a successor is appointed. One of the mem- 
vers is designated by the Governor as Chairman of the Board. The 
Secretary of Labor and Industry is ex-officio a member. 
The Board is assisted in its work by referees located in designated 
districts throughout the Commonwealth. The referees are likewise 
appointed by the Governor for terms of four years or until their sue- 
cessor is appointed and their appointments are confirmed by the Sen- 
ate. The number of referees is determined by the Governor and the 
Secretary of Labor and Industry. There are at present thirteen ref- 
erees, two each in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and 
one each in Pottsville, Lancaster, Scranton, Wilkes- 
Barre, Williamsport, Altoona, DuBois, Kane and 
Greensburg. 
The Board and referees comprise a distinet de- 
partmental administrative body under the Admin- 
istrative Code, and perform their respective duties 
independently of the Secretary of Labor and Indus- 
try or any other official of the Department, except 
that all clerical, stenographic and other assistance 
required by the Board and referees is appointed by 
the Secretary of Labor and Industry. 
John L. Morrison 
Board Member 
METHOD OF PROCEDURE 
All proceedings are instituted by petition or appeal directed to the 
Workmen’s Compensation Board. Claims for compensation are as- 
signed by the Board to a referee in the district in which the case 
arises, for hearing and determination. From the decision of the ref- 
eree an appeal may be taken, within ten days after notice of the ref- 
eree’s decision, to the Board ; and from the Board, within ten days after 
notice of the Board’s decision, to the Common Pleas Court; and there- 
after to the Superior Court, within thirty days after 
antry of judgment. The judgment of the Superior 
Court is final unless an appeal therefrom is allowed 
as in the case of other judgments of that tribunal. 
In addition to original claims for compensation, 
all compensation agreements are subject to proceed- 
ings by petition for review, modification, termina- 
tion, suspension, or reinstatement. These petitions 
are assigned to referees in the first instance from 
whose decisions appeals may be taken to the Board 
and to the courts as heretofore indicated. 
When an appeal is taken to the Board, the referee 
Joseph E. Fleitz 
Board Member 
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