Manner of trying causes; evidence The Commissioner shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence or by technical or formal rules of procedure except as provided in this chapter, but he or she may make such investigation or inquiry or conduct such hearing or trial in such manner as to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties. Declarations of the deceased employee concerning his or her accident may be received in evidence and shall be sufficient to establish the accident and the injury, if corroborated by circumstances or other evidence.
Vermont Legal Code