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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. ADJ3156337 (FRE 0209931) ADJ4199467 (FRE 0209932)
Regular
Nov 20, 2008

FRANK FLORES vs. NICKEL'S PAYLESS STORES, WAUSAU INSURANCE COMPANIES, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, AMERICAN COMMERCIAL CLAIMS ADMINSITRATORS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of an award for a 1999 right foot and ankle injury, specifically addressing the defendant's claims of error in permanent disability calculation without apportionment and the exclusion of medical evidence. The Board intends to admit the Agreed Medical Evaluator's reports into evidence, which the WCJ had previously excluded. This decision will allow the Board to review all relevant medical evidence before making a final determination on apportionment and the applicant's claimed injuries.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryPermanent Partial DisabilityApportionmentAgreed Medical EvaluatorSubstantial Medical EvidenceAdmissibility of EvidencePetition for ReconsiderationAmended Findings Award and OrderMinutes of Hearing
References
0
Case No. ADJ8518632
Regular
May 09, 2017

HORACIO MONTOYA vs. CBC FRAMING, INC., ARCH INSURANCE COMPANY, A B GALLAGHER BASSETT

The WCAB granted the defendant's Petition for Removal regarding a prior WCJ order compelling a Functional Capacity Evaluation. Removal was granted because the WCJ's order was based on a medical report that had not been formally admitted into evidence, preventing meaningful review. The Board will now admit the defendant's medical report into evidence for the limited purpose of determining the Petition for Removal. This action is an extraordinary remedy due to the prejudice caused by relying on unadmitted evidence.

RemovalFunctional Capacity EvaluationIndustrial InjuryPrejudiceIrreparable HarmAdmitted EvidenceQualified Medical EvaluationExhibit AAdministrative Law JudgePetition for Removal
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Rodriguez

The defendant, indicted for resisting arrest and DWI, filed a motion to prevent the District Attorney from using evidence of his refusal to take a chemical test at trial. The defendant argued that admitting such evidence violates his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, despite a 1973 amendment to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1194 that permitted it. The court analyzed precedents, distinguishing between the non-testimonial nature of the test itself and the communicative nature of a refusal. It concluded that a refusal constitutes a communication, thus falling under Fifth Amendment protection. Consequently, the court granted the defendant's motion, ruling that such evidence is inadmissible.

Fifth AmendmentSelf-incriminationChemical Test RefusalDWIAdmissibility of EvidenceConstitutional RightsTestimonial EvidenceImplied Consent LawPreclusion MotionCriminal Procedure
References
19
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Rondon v. Manhattan & Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority

Claimant, a bus driver, was injured in 2007 and subsequently received workers' compensation benefits for an eight-month period. The self-insured employer challenged these benefits under Workers' Compensation Law § 114-a, alleging the claimant worked during the disqualification period and attempted to introduce video evidence. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) refused to admit the video due to lack of authentication by the investigator who filmed it, eventually closing the record when the employer failed to produce all necessary investigators. While the Workers' Compensation Board ruled that the investigator's testimony wasn't strictly necessary for authentication, it upheld the WCLJ's closure of the record because the employer hadn't appealed the initial authentication ruling and failed to present all investigators. Consequently, the Board remitted the case for a determination on claimant's disqualification, a decision which the employer appealed, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal as an interlocutory order that did not resolve all substantive issues.

Appeal DismissalInterlocutory OrderEvidence AuthenticationVideo FootageClaimant BenefitsEmployer LiabilityAdministrative ReviewRecord ClosureAppellate ProcedureWorkers' Compensation Law § 114-a
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Fratt

The defendant, charged with second-degree murder, provided notice of intent to present psychiatric evidence from Dr. Martha Rosen, a defense-retained psychologist, who would testify about dependent personality disorder and 'battered woman's syndrome.' The prosecution subsequently moved for an order compelling Dr. Rosen to prepare a report outlining her findings and evaluations, and for the discovery of her notes. The court granted the prosecution's motion, ruling that the defendant waived psychologist-patient privilege by placing her mental state at issue. The court further held that CPL 250.10, read in conjunction with CPLR 3101(d), requires the defense to provide a detailed notice of psychiatric evidence, including expert qualifications, examination details, relied-upon materials, diagnostic opinions, and the bases for those opinions. The court denied the motion for a pretrial hearing as premature.

Psychiatric EvidenceDiscoveryExpert TestimonyPsychologist-Patient PrivilegeWaiver of PrivilegeCriminal Procedure LawCivil Practice Law and RulesMental StateBattered Woman's SyndromeForensic Evaluation
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 18, 2005

Hotel 57 LLC v. Harvard Maintenance, Inc.

In this case, the plaintiff hotel sought over $300,000 for replacing 16 scratched windows, attributing the damage to the defendant's window cleaners. The defendant denied responsibility, suggesting the scratches were preexisting. Crucially, the plaintiff destroyed and replaced the windows without notifying the defendant, sixteen months prior to filing the lawsuit. The Supreme Court initially denied the defendant's motion for summary judgment based on spoliation of evidence. However, the appellate court reversed this decision, emphasizing the plaintiff's intentional destruction of evidence critical to the lawsuit, granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment, and dismissed the complaint.

spoliation of evidencesummary judgmentappellate reviewwindow damageproperty damageintentional destruction of evidencecivil procedureNew York lawconstructionnegligence
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Sun Trading Distributing Co. v. Evidence Music, Inc.

Plaintiff Sun Trading Distributing Co., doing business as Muse Records and Landmark Records, filed a lawsuit against Evidence Music, Inc. and Kenwood Electronics Corp. alleging unfair competition under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act and New York State common law. The core of the complaint revolved around the defendants' alleged unauthorized exploitation of sound recordings by jazz artists John Hicks, Edward “Sonny” Stitt, and Antoine Roney. Sun Trading claimed false designation of origin (reverse passing off) for the Stitt recording and false advertising for the Roney recording, leading to consumer confusion. The court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment on the Lanham Act claims, finding insufficient evidence of actual or likelihood of consumer confusion. Consequently, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims, dismissing them without prejudice, and denied the plaintiff's cross-motion to amend the complaint.

Lanham ActUnfair CompetitionTrademark InfringementCopyrightSound RecordingsJazz MusicConsumer ConfusionSummary JudgmentSupplemental JurisdictionBreach of Contract
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Morelli v. Tops Markets

Claimant, having sustained work-related injuries in 2007 and receiving benefits, was questioned by a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) regarding work activities at a 2011 hearing. Immediately after, the employer and its carrier sought to introduce surveillance video and investigator testimony, alleging a violation of Workers' Compensation Law § 114-a. The WCLJ denied this request and precluded the evidence, ruling that the carrier failed to disclose the surveillance prior to the claimant's testimony. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed this decision, reiterating the established requirement for timely disclosure of surveillance materials to prevent 'gamesmanship.' The appellate court subsequently affirmed the Board's decision, finding no arbitrary or capricious action, as the carrier had an opportunity to disclose the evidence before prompting the WCLJ's questioning and before the claimant testified.

Workers' Compensation LawSurveillance EvidenceDisclosure ObligationPreclusion of EvidenceAppellate ReviewEvidence AdmissibilityClaimant TestimonyEmployer ResponsibilitiesCarrier ResponsibilitiesBoard Decision
References
11
Case No. ADJ6908926
Regular
Jan 14, 2013

ALONSO RAMIREZ vs. ROYALTY LANDSCAPE, MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the WCJ's decision, returning the case to the trial level. This was due to the improper exclusion of defendant's payroll records, which were relevant to determining applicant's employment status. The Board found that these records should have been admitted despite the lack of formal authentication, as workers' compensation proceedings allow for significant latitude in evidence admission. The case will be reheard for a proper admission of evidence and a new decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings of Fact and OrderEmploymentGardenerBack InjuryShoulder InjuryNeck InjuryTerminationDue Process
References
3
Case No. ADJ1092183 (LBO 0352297) ADJ2573196 (LBO 0352957)
Regular
Feb 13, 2018

PEDRO DELRIO vs. THE POWER PEO, RAINFOREST FLORA, INC., REINSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, CLAIMQUEST

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the disallowance of a lien claimant's claim. The claimant based their claim on an alleged settlement agreement, but the document lacked proper authentication and contained significant discrepancies, including an incorrect case number. The Appeals Board adopted the WCJ's report, finding the claimant failed to meet their burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence. This decision affirmed that admitted evidence must still be evaluated for weight and sufficiency.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDLABOR CODE SECTION 5705PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCESUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCELIEN CLAIMANTPETITION FOR RECONSIDERATIONWCJ REPORTAUTHENTICATION OF EVIDENCEPROTESTED EXHIBITSMINUTES OF HEARING AND SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
References
3
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