VIRGINIA GOERG VS. BOARD OF TRUSTEES (PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM)

**What Happened** Virginia Goerg, a public employee, applied for accidental disability retirement benefits through New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System. The Board of Trustees denied her application, and she challenged that decision in court. The main issue was whether Goerg filed her application within the required time limits and followed proper procedures. **What the Court Decided** The appellate court sided with the Board of Trustees, upholding their denial of Goerg's disability benefits. The court found that Goerg filed her application too late, missing important deadlines. Additionally, the court determined she failed to show that she substantially followed the required legal procedures for filing such applications, even if she missed some technical requirements. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights the critical importance of meeting deadlines when applying for disability benefits. Public employees must carefully follow all filing requirements and time limits, as courts generally won't excuse late applications even in disability cases. Workers should seek help early in the process to ensure they complete applications correctly and on time, as missing deadlines can result in losing benefits entirely, regardless of the merit of their disability claim.