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

Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 07401
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 23, 2021

Matter of Carola B.-M. v. New York State Off. of Temporary & Disability Assistance

Petitioners Carola B.-M. and Tiara M. challenged the denial of their supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Orleans County Department of Social Services. The benefits were denied because they were deemed ineligible college students. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, reversed this determination, holding that participation in the Adult Career and Continuing Education Services, Vocational Rehabilitation program (ACCES-VR) qualifies as a Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program. This status exempts the students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements. The court found that the original determination was based on an unreasonable interpretation of relevant regulations, annulled the decision, granted the petition, and remitted the case for a calculation of retroactive benefits.

SNAP benefitscollege student eligibilityJob Training Partnership ActACCES-VRvocational rehabilitationCPLR article 78regulatory interpretationpublic assistancefood stampsAppellate Division
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Bruzzese v. Guardsman Elevator Co.

In 1994, the claimant sustained head, neck, and back injuries at work, leading to an award for permanent partial disability, which included a wage expectancy adjustment under Workers’ Compensation Law § 14 (5). Following back surgery in 1998, the case was reopened, and the claimant was found to be temporarily totally disabled. Benefits for this temporary total disability were calculated based on the claimant's average weekly wage at the time of injury, without applying the wage expectancy adjustment. The claimant appealed, arguing that since the permanent partial disability preceded the temporary total disability, the wage expectancy adjustment should also apply to the latter period. The court disagreed, affirming the Workers’ Compensation Board's decision, citing established case law that Workers’ Compensation Law § 14 (5) is applicable only to awards for permanent partial disability and not temporary disability.

Wage expectancyTemporary total disabilityPermanent partial disabilityWorkers' Compensation benefitsBack injuryAppellate reviewDisability calculationWorkers' Compensation BoardAverage weekly wage
References
1
Case No. 5674395Z
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 01, 2011

Baines v. Berlin

Mashon Baines, a homeless and disabled mother of three, initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding to challenge the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's August 31, 2011 decision to discontinue her temporary housing assistance. This decision stemmed from an alleged altercation with a shelter director, Marilyn Gonzalez, during a fire drill, leading to Baines's arrest. Baines argued that her due process rights were violated because the discontinuance notice cited only the assault on Ms. Gonzalez, while the administrative decision was based on multiple uncharged wrongdoings and failed to adequately consider video evidence. The court found that respondents failed to adequately apprise Baines of all charges, thereby violating her due process rights, and consequently annulled the August 31, 2011 fair hearing decision. The court also granted Baines's request for attorneys' fees, costs, and disbursements.

Due ProcessAdministrative HearingHomeless AssistanceShelter BenefitsDiscontinuance of BenefitsNotice RequirementsCPLR Article 78Judicial ReviewAttorneys' FeesSelf-Incrimination
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Brady v. Northeast Riggers & Erectors

In March 2012, the claimant, a union construction laborer, sustained a work-related back and abdomen injury. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially found the claimant attached to the labor market but deemed a total industrial disability finding premature because permanent disability had not yet been classified. The Workers’ Compensation Board upheld this determination. The claimant appealed, arguing the Board erred in declining to classify him with a temporary total industrial disability. The Court affirmed the Board's decision, asserting that a classification of temporary total industrial disability cannot be made without a prior determination of permanency.

Workers' CompensationIndustrial DisabilityPermanent DisabilityTemporary DisabilityLabor MarketAppellate DivisionBoard DecisionPremature DeterminationGainful EmploymentWork History
References
6
Case No. ADJ1237800 (AHM0151777)
Regular
Jan 22, 2016

KENNETH ROSENBERG vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT, Legally Uninsured, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES, Adjusting Agency

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify clerical errors in a previous award. The Board amended the award to reflect that the defendant, California Highway Patrol, is "legally uninsured" and affirmed the application of the "duty belt" presumption (Labor Code section 3213.2). The Board also affirmed the finding of $43\%$ permanent disability, temporary disability, and the denial of apportionment, finding that the defendant waived any due process claims regarding temporary disability by not objecting at trial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgePermissibly Self-InsuredLow Back InjuryLeft Shoulder Injury
References
2
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 01108 [158 AD3d 965]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 15, 2018

Matter of Williams v. New York State Off. of Temporary Disability & Assistance

Claimant, Theresa J. Williams, appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision denying her claim for benefits. She alleged an elevator door struck her, causing sprains and contusions. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) and the Board disallowed the claim, finding she exaggerated the incident and her injuries did not arise from employment, based significantly on video surveillance that contradicted her account. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing the Board's authority to resolve factual issues and assess witness credibility. The court concluded that the Board's determination was supported by substantial evidence and that there was no medical opinion establishing causation based on the incident as depicted in the video.

Workers' Compensation BenefitsAccidental InjuryCourse of EmploymentCredibility AssessmentVideo Surveillance EvidenceElevator IncidentClaim DisallowanceBoard Decision AffirmationFactual Issue ResolutionSubstantial Evidence Review
References
6
Case No. ADJ8813173
Regular
Jul 19, 2016

AURELIO VACA vs. NNJ MODE, INC., STAR INSURANCE COMPANY By MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, EMPLOYERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior decision finding the applicant temporarily totally disabled. The Board found that the treating physician's reports lacked substantial medical evidence to support the temporary disability award. Consequently, the Board rescinded the original decision, affirmed the stipulated industrial injury, and returned the matter to the trial level for further development of the record and a new decision. This includes addressing the admissibility of defense exhibits and the 104-week temporary disability limit.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeTemporary DisabilityPermanent and StationaryPanel Qualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial EvidenceMedical OpinionTreating Physician
References
9
Case No. ADJ13157138
Regular
Sep 15, 2025

EDDY PUTMAN vs. BALTIMORE ORIOLES, USF&G, TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY

Defendant sought reconsideration of a WCJ's Findings of Fact, Award, and Order issued on June 12, 2025, which awarded applicant temporary and permanent disability. The defendant contested the retroactive disability awards, the calculation of the average weekly wage, and the admissibility of medical reports by Dr. Michael Einbund, given a later date of injury finding. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, adopting the WCJ's report, denied the petition for reconsideration. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings regarding the disability awards, the applicant's average weekly wage, and the admissibility of Dr. Einbund's reports, reasoning that the claim's injury period predated January 1, 2005, making the old procedural rules applicable.

Permanent DisabilityTemporary Total DisabilityDate of InjuryLabor Code Section 5412PQMEPetition for ReconsiderationAverage Weekly WageAdmissibility of Medical ReportsLabor Code Section 4062.2Substantial Medical Evidence
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Parks v. Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

Stephanie Parks filed a race discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), under Title VII and the New York State Human Rights Law. OTDA moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, arguing it was filed after Title VII's 90-day statute of limitations. The plaintiff received her EEOC right-to-sue letter around December 26, 2008, setting a March 26, 2009 deadline. While the complaint was formally filed on March 30, 2009, the court found it was timely, having been initially submitted to the Clerk on March 17, 2009, and returned only for a minor cover sheet correction. Citing rules against rejecting filings for mere form issues, the court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss, deeming the initial submission date as the filing date.

Race DiscriminationTitle VIIStatute of LimitationsSubject Matter JurisdictionTimeliness of FilingEEOC Right-to-SueFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureClerk's ErrorEmployment DiscriminationMotion to Dismiss
References
18
Case No. ADJ2682732 (VNO 0409413)
Regular
Oct 24, 2008

LINDA SALVANERA vs. KELLY TEMPORARY SERVICES, CNA CASUALTY OF CALIFORNIA

The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's award for applicant's industrial injury, modifying it to provide for reasonable future medical treatment. The Board also allowed the defendant credit for overpaid temporary disability indemnity at a higher rate than due, and for wages applicant earned during the temporary disability period. Finally, defense counsel was sanctioned $200.00 for violating WCAB Rules by attaching irrelevant documents to their petition for reconsideration.

Permanent DisabilityTemporary Total DisabilityReconsiderationSanctionsFuture Medical TreatmentCredit for OverpaymentWage LossPermanent and Stationary DateTreating PhysicianAgreed Medical Examiner
References
10
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