Joseph Gerba, Respondent v. Board of Trustees of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, Appellant

Summary

The Court held that Joseph Gerba's disability was not the direct result of a traumatic event and therefore did not qualify for an accidental disability pension under N.J.S.A. 43:15A-43, reversing the Appellate Division and affirming the Board of Trustees' denial. The majority applied a restrictive interpretation of the statutory terms “traumatic event” and “direct result,” requiring the traumatic event to be the essential substantial cause of the disability. Justice Pashman dissented, contending that the combined‑effect test from Cattani should permit an accidental disability finding.