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

Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 01020 [235 AD3d 1124]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 20, 2025

Matter of Clean Air Action Network of Glens Falls, Inc. v. Town of Moreau Planning Bd.

The case involves an appeal by Clean Air Action Network of Glens Falls, Inc. against the Town of Moreau Planning Board, Raymond Apy, and Saratoga Biochar Solutions, LLC. The appeal challenged a Supreme Court judgment that dismissed a CPLR article 78 proceeding, which sought to annul the Planning Board's negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and its approval of a site plan for a biosolids remediation and fertilizer processing facility. The Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed the lower court's decision, finding that the Planning Board failed to take a 'hard look' at the project's potential adverse impacts, particularly concerning hazardous air pollutant emissions. The court concluded that the Planning Board's unexplained deference to DEC permitting standards without a reasoned elaboration for its negative declaration was arbitrary and capricious, thus granting the petition and remitting the matter for further proceedings.

Environmental ImpactState Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)Planning Board DeterminationHazardous Air PollutantsBiosolids RemediationSite Plan ApprovalNegative Declaration RescissionArbitrary and CapriciousAppellate DivisionJudicial Review
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

L. B. Smith, Inc. v. Circle Air Freight Corp.

Defendant and third-party plaintiff Circle Air Freight Corp. moved to dismiss two affirmative defenses raised by third-party defendant Iberia Air Lines of Spain. The court denied the motion to strike the first affirmative defense, 'failure to state a cause of action,' as it is not subject to such a motion. Regarding the second affirmative defense, which asserted that the action was time-barred by the two-year period in Warsaw Convention article 29, Circle argued this period was inapplicable to contribution claims. However, the court ruled that Warsaw Convention article 29 constitutes an absolute condition precedent to suit, not merely a statute of limitations, and its two-year period applies broadly to all actions for damages, including those for contribution, overriding conflicting State laws. Consequently, Circle's motion to strike Iberia's second affirmative defense was also denied.

Warsaw ConventionContributionStatute of LimitationsCondition PrecedentAir Carrier LiabilityThird-Party ActionAffirmative DefenseDismissal MotionFederal SupremacyTreaty Interpretation
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Air Line Pilots Ass'n, International v. Eastern Air Lines, Inc. (In Re Ionosphere Clubs, Inc.)

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) moved to lift the automatic stay imposed during Eastern Air Lines, Inc.'s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. ALPA sought to continue three arbitration proceedings related to a pay-parity provision in their collective bargaining agreement, which had been automatically stayed. The court considered the federal policy favoring labor arbitration, the potential impact on the bankruptcy estate, and the willingness of arbitrators to allow the Official Unsecured Creditor’s Committee to participate. Finding that 'cause' existed to modify the stay and noting the availability of claims estimation under 11 U.S.C. § 502(c) as a safeguard against undue delay, the court granted ALPA's motion, allowing the arbitration proceedings to resume.

Bankruptcy ProceedingsAutomatic Stay ReliefLabor ArbitrationCollective BargainingRailway Labor ActPay Parity GrievanceChapter 11 ReorganizationCreditors' Committee ParticipationSection 362(d)Dispute Resolution
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

International Ass'n of MacHinists & Aerospace Workers v. Compagnie Nationale Air France

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) sought a preliminary injunction against Air France to prevent the unilateral cancellation of their collective bargaining agreement from January 3, 1977, and to compel Air France to continue recognizing IAM as the representative for cargo agents. Air France terminated the agreement citing Article XVII(q), which was triggered by a National Mediation Board (NMB) decision concerning United Air Lines freight agents, interpreting it as permitting separate bargaining units for cargo agents. IAM contended that Air France's actions violated the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and that Article XVII(q) itself was illegal and an attempt to bypass RLA procedures. The court declined to exercise jurisdiction, categorizing the dispute as both a 'minor dispute' concerning contract interpretation, falling under the National Railroad Adjustment Board's exclusive jurisdiction, and a 'major dispute' regarding employee representation, which is under the primary jurisdiction of the NMB. Since administrative remedies had not been exhausted, the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction was denied, and the case was dismissed.

Labor LawRailway Labor ActCollective BargainingPreliminary InjunctionJurisdictionMinor DisputeMajor DisputeNational Mediation BoardNational Railroad Adjustment BoardUnion Representation
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Marks v. County of Tompkins

A claimant, formerly employed as a social welfare examiner for Tompkins County, developed multiple chemical sensitivity allegedly due to poor air quality and environmental contaminants at her workplace in the Biggs A building. She filed for workers' compensation benefits, asserting a causal link between her condition and her employment. The Workers’ Compensation Board denied her claim, concluding there was no scientific evidence to support a causal relationship, as air quality tests showed contaminant levels below permissible limits. The claimant appealed, challenging the Board's assessment of medical evidence. The appellate court affirmed the Board’s decision, reasoning that expert opinions linking the condition to the workplace were based on unsubstantiated assumptions regarding the presence of contaminants and that no unusual environmental factors caused her gradually developing ailment.

Occupational DiseaseMultiple Chemical SensitivityCausal RelationshipAir Quality StandardsEnvironmental ToxinsExpert Witness TestimonyEvidentiary SupportGradual Onset InjuryIndustrial HygieneWorkers' Compensation Board Appeal
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 23, 1999

Ellis v. County of Tompkins

A County of Tompkins employee, referred to as the claimant, appealed a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The Board had ruled that the claimant’s alleged multiple chemical sensitivity, stemming from exposure to chemical contaminants in the “bull pen” section of the Biggs A building, did not constitute an accident or occupational disease arising from his employment. The claimant attributed the poor air quality to an inadequate ventilation system and emissions from office supplies. The Board denied benefits, citing air quality test results that showed insufficient contaminant levels to cause adverse health effects, thus failing to establish a causal link. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board’s decision, aligning with its reasoning in a related case, Matter of Marks v County of Tompkins, and found that substantial evidence supported the Board’s findings.

Workers' CompensationOccupational DiseaseChemical SensitivityWorkplace ExposureCausal RelationshipAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceBoard DecisionEmployer LiabilityVentilation System
References
7
Case No. In re U.S. Air Duct Corporation
Regular Panel Decision

Mazur v. U. S. Air Duct Corp. (In Re U. S. Air Duct Corp.)

The case involves the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local No. 58 (the Association) seeking to recover fringe benefits and wage supplement contributions from U.S. Air Duct Corporation (the Debtor) and its president, Franklin E. Bean (the Non-Debtor). The Association initiated an action in New York Supreme Court, which was subsequently stayed when the Debtor filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Non-Debtor removed the state-court proceeding to the Bankruptcy Court, prompting the Association to move for its remand. The Bankruptcy Court denied the Association's motion, asserting jurisdiction over the claim against the Non-Debtor based on its relation to the Title 11 case and the joint and several liability under New York Labor Law Section 198-c. The court also affirmed the permissibility of removal by "any party" under 28 U.S.C. 1478(a).

BankruptcyChapter 7RemovalRemandJurisdictionLabor LawFringe BenefitsWage SupplementsCorporate Officer LiabilityJoint and Several Liability
References
13
Case No. CV-24-0287
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 25, 2025

In the Matter of the Claim of Lee Trickey

Claimant Lee Trickey was injured on a construction site while installing roof trusses for Black River Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. He filed a personal injury action, while Black River's workers' compensation carrier sought to establish a workers' compensation claim, arguing Trickey was an employee. Trickey maintained he was an independent contractor. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Board, citing the Construction Industry Fair Play Act (Labor Law § 861-c), found an employer-employee relationship. On appeal, the Appellate Division reversed, finding that the Board did not provide sufficient findings of fact regarding its assessment of the three-part ABC test to determine if Trickey was an independent contractor and whether the presumption of employment was rebutted, despite appearing to satisfy the last two prongs of the test. The matter was remitted to the Board for further proceedings to properly consider the ABC test.

Employer-Employee RelationshipIndependent ContractorConstruction Industry Fair Play ActLabor LawWorkers' Compensation BoardABC TestSubstantial EvidenceRemittalAppellate ReviewStatutory Presumption
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Davis v. United Air Lines, Inc.

The plaintiff, Thomas Davis, a former "ramp serviceman" for United Air Lines, Inc., sued his employer following his dismissal due to a physical disability (epilepsy). He alleged wrongful dismissal in violation of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, asserting a claim as a third-party beneficiary of a federal contract and a violation of a collective bargaining agreement which he claimed incorporated the Act's affirmative action provisions. Chief Judge Weinstein granted the defendant's motion to dismiss. The court ruled that there is no private right of action under Section 503, as established in a prior appeal concerning the same plaintiff (Davis v. United Air Lines, Inc.), and that allowing a third-party beneficiary claim would be inconsistent with the legislative scheme. Furthermore, the plaintiff's claim under the collective bargaining agreement was dismissed as he failed to exhaust the mandatory Railway Labor Act procedures, and his "futility" argument was rejected.

Rehabilitation ActWrongful DismissalThird-Party BeneficiaryCollective Bargaining AgreementDisability DiscriminationRailway Labor ActMotion to DismissPrivate Right of ActionFederal Contract LawAffirmative Action
References
20
Case No. 2014 NYSlipOp 06768 [121 AD3d 441]
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 07, 2014

Williams v. Air Serv Corp.

The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed an order from the Supreme Court, New York County, which granted class certification to plaintiffs in a wage dispute against Air Serv Corporation. The plaintiffs, including Brenda Williams, alleged underpayment due to a policy originating from an Air Serv supervisor at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The court found that the plaintiffs met the prerequisites for class action certification under CPLR 901 and 902, demonstrating common issues of law and fact, typicality, and adequate representation. It also determined that a class action was superior to individual administrative proceedings due to litigation costs and modest individual damages, upholding the lower court's decision.

class action certificationwage disputeCPLR 901CPLR 902appellate reviewemployment lawclass representationcommonalitytypicalitysuperiority of class action
References
6
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