Matter of Hernandez v. Port Wash. Union Free Sch. Dist.
Edwin Hernandez, a motor equipment operator, was terminated from his employment with the Port Washington Union Free School District after sustaining injuries on the job and subsequently being charged with misconduct for allegedly being out of work on workers' compensation while able to perform his duties. Following a hearing pursuant to Civil Service Law § 75, a hearing officer found Hernandez guilty of 14 disciplinary charges and recommended termination, which the District adopted. Hernandez commenced a CPLR article 78 proceeding to challenge the determination. The Appellate Division, Second Department, reviewed the administrative determination, finding it was supported by substantial evidence and that the penalty of termination was not shocking to one's sense of fairness, thus confirming the determination and dismissing the petition.