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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Maliqi v. 17 East 89th Street Tenants, Inc.

The court addresses motions in limine concerning the admissibility of evidence related to the plaintiff's immigration status, future lost wages, and medical expenses in a workplace injury case. The plaintiff, an undocumented political asylum seeker named Maliqi, was injured while working. The court ruled that while the plaintiff's immigration status is relevant for the jury to consider potential economic realities if he is deported, it cannot be used to argue that his status prohibits awards for future lost wages or medical expenses. Furthermore, the defendant is precluded from asserting that the plaintiff was working illegally at the time of the accident. The court also permitted expert testimony from an economist regarding future damages but denied the admission of testimony from the plaintiff's immigration counsel as an expert.

Workplace InjuryUndocumented WorkerPolitical AsylumImmigration StatusLost WagesMedical ExpensesEvidence AdmissibilityMotions in LimineExpert TestimonyEconomic Damages
References
13
Case No. 10 Civ. 0699
Regular Panel Decision

Davis v. City of New York

This Opinion & Order by District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin addresses the admissibility of 'decline to prosecute' (DP) forms in a class action against the City of New York. Plaintiffs sought to use these forms as evidence of the NYPD's alleged unconstitutional trespass stops and arrests in NYCHA buildings for class certification and trial. The City argued against their admission as hearsay and legal conclusions. The Court ruled the DP forms admissible, primarily under the business records exception (Rule 803(6)), and found arresting officers' statements admissible as party-opponent admissions. The decision emphasized the forms' probative value and the lack of alternative evidence, despite concerns about implied legal conclusions, given the unique context of a class action challenging systemic practices.

Admissibility of EvidenceHearsay ExceptionBusiness RecordsPolice PracticesTrespass ArrestsNYCHA BuildingsClass ActionFederal Rules of EvidenceProbable CauseLegal Conclusions
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Sanders

The defendant, indicted for attempted murder, sought to suppress three statements made to law enforcement and medical personnel. The court conducted a Huntley hearing to assess their admissibility. The first statement to Detective Gottleib was deemed admissible as the defendant was not in custody. The second statement, an unsolicited admission to Officer Young, was also admissible as spontaneous. However, the third statement made to Dr. Torres during a psychiatric evaluation, while overheard by Officer Rodriguez, was suppressed due to doctor/patient privilege, as the defendant's privacy rights were not waived.

Huntley HearingSuppression of EvidenceMiranda WarningsSpontaneous StatementsDoctor-Patient PrivilegePolice CustodyAttempted MurderCriminal Procedure LawEvidence AdmissibilityPsychiatric Evaluation
References
25
Case No. ADJ2522892 (ANA 0394094)
Regular
Mar 03, 2009

DONNA SMITH vs. MASTER FINANCIAL, INC., MIDCENTURY INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an admitted industrial injury to the applicant's upper extremities, with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granting reconsideration of a previous award. The WCAB rescinded the original award due to the trial judge's failure to rule on the defendant's objection to the admissibility of a key medical report. The admissibility of this report, which reviewed an inadmissible prior opinion, is central to determining permanent disability and related benefits like a supplemental job displacement voucher. The case is returned to the trial level for an express ruling on the report's admissibility and further proceedings on the remaining issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardIndustrial InjuryUpper ExtremitiesBankruptcy ManagerMaster FinancialMid-Century Insurance CompanyPermanent DisabilitySupplemental Job Displacement Voucher
References
4
Case No. TI11710087
Regular
Nov 20, 2018

Theodore Davis vs. CITY OF MODESTO, YORK INSURANCE SERVICES, GROUP, INC.

This case involves applicant Theodore Davis's prostate cancer claim against the City of Modesto. The core dispute centers on the admissibility and review of a medical report by Dr. Besses. The Appeals Board initially denied review of Dr. Besses' report but, following a court of appeal remittitur, is now granting removal. The matter is returned to the trial level for the WCJ to re-evaluate the admissibility of Dr. Besses' report under Labor Code section 4605 and related rules, and whether it can be provided to the QME. This decision clarifies that while QME evaluations are required for compensability disputes, privately obtained medical reports may still be admissible.

RemittiturPetition for RemovalPetition for ReconsiderationQualified Medical EvaluatorLabor Code Section 4060Labor Code Section 4605Admissibility of Medical ReportsEx Parte CommunicationCumulative TraumaSpecific Injury
References
9
Case No. Index No. 524963/19
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 30, 2025

Pillco v. 160 Dikeman St., LLC

The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed an order denying plaintiff Fabian Pillco's motion for summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240(1) in a personal injury action. The core issue was the admissibility of the plaintiff's medical record statement describing the accident, which differed from his deposition testimony. The court held that the statement, recorded by Dr. Daniel Khaimov at Precision Pain, was germane to diagnosis and treatment, thus admissible under the business records exception. This created a triable issue of fact regarding the accident's occurrence, despite the plaintiff being the sole witness. The decision provides guidance on the admissibility of patient statements within medical records when relevant to medical care.

Hearsay RuleBusiness Records ExceptionMedical Records AdmissibilityLabor Law § 240(1)Summary JudgmentCredibilityPersonal InjuryAppellate ReviewConstruction AccidentFalling Object
References
70
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

50 Lefferts LLC v. Cole

This case involves a holdover proceeding initiated by a petitioner landlord against Shaniquca Cole, who claims succession rights to a rent-stabilized apartment after the death of the tenant of record, Thelma Williams, on June 10, 2013. Cole asserts she was a member of Williams' immediate family and that the apartment was their primary residence for two years prior to Williams' death. The core issue is the admissibility of Williams' hospital records, offered by the petitioner, which contain statements from which adverse inferences about Cole's residency could be drawn. Respondent objected to these records as hearsay, but the court, referencing relevant case law, ruled that discharge planning statements within hospital records are admissible as part of a patient's treatment. The court denied the respondent's motion to bar the evidence, emphasizing that admissibility does not equate to probative weight.

Holdover proceedingSuccession rightsRent stabilizationHospital recordsHearsay exceptionBusiness recordsDischarge planMedical evidencePrimary residenceTenant rights
References
7
Case No. 650775/2013, 158002/2012
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 25, 2013

Saska v. Metropolitan Museum of Art

This opinion addresses two consolidated actions challenging the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s "pay what you wish" admissions policy. Plaintiffs alleged violations of General Business Law § 349, a 1893 statute, and breach of a 1878 lease with the City of New York, asserting a right to free admission. Justice Kornreich granted the Museum’s motion to dismiss. The court found no private right of action under the 1893 appropriations act and determined that plaintiffs, as purported third-party beneficiaries of the lease, had no greater rights than the City, which had tacitly and explicitly approved the admission policy for over 40 years. The decision underscored that compelling a de minimis payment constituted de facto free access and that plaintiffs' lawsuit would ultimately undermine the Museum’s ability to fund its public access and operations.

Museum Admission PolicyPay What You WishGeneral Business Law § 349Lease AgreementThird-Party BeneficiaryPrivate Right of ActionAppropriations StatuteInjunctive ReliefMotion to DismissMetropolitan Museum of Art
References
31
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Male G.

This case involves a proceeding under section 384-b of the Social Services Law where the Commissioner of Social Services sought to commit the custody and guardianship of a child, 'Male' G., also known as Brian Keith G. During a fact-finding hearing, the petitioner attempted to introduce the child's case record from the Bureau of Child Welfare (BCW) as a business record. The natural mother challenged its admissibility, arguing that certain entries were not made contemporaneously as required by CPLR 4518. The court, after deliberation, ruled that such records are admissible, citing that files maintained by the Department of Social Services are business records. The court clarified that the use of temporary 'day books' from which permanent records are later transcribed does not negate their admissibility, especially when the transcription relies on a previously prepared record rather than memory. Therefore, the BCW case record was ordered to be admitted into evidence.

Custody and GuardianshipSocial Services LawCPLR 4518Business Records RuleAdmissibility of EvidenceChild Welfare RecordsDay BooksPermanent RecordsTranscription ProcessEvidence Law
References
3
Case No. SDO 339211 SDO 339212
Regular
Jul 23, 2007

RICHARD ESPINOZA vs. SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC

This case involved a petition to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Judge based on a prior admission of bias against the applicant's law firm. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding that the applicant failed to present evidence of present bias or the appearance of bias. The Board reasoned that the prior admission of bias had been sufficiently attenuated by time and subsequent rulings, and that future disqualifications would require specific evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDisqualificationWCJBiasAppearance of BiasRecusalBlanket RecusalEthics ComplaintsCourt AdministratorMandatory Settlement Conference
References
1
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