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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
Feb 05, 1980

In re the Claim of Ross v. Standard Milling Co.

This case concerns an appeal from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision, filed on February 5, 1980, which approved a $50 attorney’s fee as a lien upon an award made to the claimant. The claimant had sustained a back injury in March 1978 and received compensation payments from the carrier. After retaining an attorney, a hearing in May 1979 established accident, notice, and causal relationship, formalizing the award already paid by the carrier. The carrier contested the attorney's fee as a lien, arguing the claimant had already received the full award. The Board affirmed the lien, citing relevant case law and Section 24 of the Workers’ Compensation Law. The court ultimately affirmed the Board's decision, with costs to the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Workers' CompensationAttorney's FeesLienAwardAffirmed DecisionStatutory InterpretationNew York LawBoard DecisionInsurance CarrierLegal Services
References
3
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03795 [161 AD3d 1478]
Regular Panel Decision
May 24, 2018

Matter of Attorneys In Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a. (Ettelson)

Julie Ann Ettelson, now known as Julie A. Laczkowski, was suspended from practicing law in 2009 due to noncompliance with attorney registration requirements under Judiciary Law § 468-a. She filed a motion for reinstatement in April 2018, which was reviewed by the Attorney Grievance Committee. The Committee provided findings and deferred to the Court's discretion. The Appellate Division, Third Department, found that the respondent met all requirements for reinstatement, including completing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, maintaining current registration, and demonstrating good character and fitness. The Court also determined that her reinstatement would serve the public interest. Consequently, the Court granted her motion and reinstated her as an attorney.

Attorney ReinstatementProfessional MisconductJudiciary LawAttorney Grievance CommitteeAppellate DivisionAttorney RegistrationDisciplinary ProceedingsLegal EthicsSuspension of AttorneyCharacter and Fitness
References
11
Case No. ADJ8674944
Regular
Sep 28, 2015

CECILIA ROSALES vs. KING TACO RESTAURANT, AMERICAN CASUALTY COMPANY

This case concerns a lien claim by Western Imaging Services (WIS) for photocopying services rendered to applicant's attorney. The original decision disallowed the lien, finding WIS was not an independent contractor exempt from registration and bonding requirements under Business and Professions Code § 22451(b). The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that WIS *was* an independent contractor of the attorney based on submitted evidence and the plain language of the statute. Therefore, WIS is exempt from registration, and its lien is allowed, with penalties deferred.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantPetition for ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationIndependent ContractorBusiness and Professions CodeRegistration RequirementsBonding RequirementState BarProfessional Photocopying
References
4
Case No. ADJ1740444 (SJO 0799313) ADJ2189376 (SJO 0785376) ADJ506041 (SJO 0866217)
Regular
May 13, 2011

EDUARDO JIMINEZ vs. DSL TRANSPORTATION, ARGONAUT INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petitions for reconsideration regarding findings of industrial injury and permanent disability ratings. However, the Board granted the lien claimant's petition, reversing the dismissal of its attorney's fee lien. The case is remanded to the trial level for further proceedings to determine the value of the lien claimant's services, with defendants ordered to withhold 15% of the applicant's awards for potential attorney's fees.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardOpinion and Orders DenyingGranting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationIndustrial InjuryPermanent DisabilityBenson v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Permanent Disability Rating ScheduleIndependent Medical Examiners132a Claim
References
3
Case No. ADJ2278453
Regular
Dec 24, 2008

SANDRA LARSEN vs. SANCTUARY DAY SPA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration of her $45\%$ permanent disability rating, finding sufficient medical evidence for apportionment. However, the Board granted the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration regarding attorney fees, rescinding the prior order to allow further proceedings to determine a reasonable fee split among three attorneys. The matter was returned to the trial level for a lien conference to equitably divide attorney fees for services rendered to the applicant.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryPermanent DisabilityApportionmentAgreed Medical ExaminerLien ClaimantAttorney's FeesPetition for ReconsiderationFindings Award OrderRescind
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Castleberry v. Hudson Valley Asphalt Corp.

This case concerns an application by a plaintiff, injured in 1973, for the apportionment of attorney's fees incurred in a third-party action. The plaintiff, who receives weekly workers' compensation benefits from Utica Mutual Insurance Co., secured a $75,000 settlement after an initial judgment was set aside on appeal. The central issue was whether the compensation carrier, Utica Mutual, should bear the full amount of the attorney's fees for the $75,000 settlement, thereby vacating its $20,402 lien. The court, exercising its discretion under Workers’ Compensation Law § 29, determined that since the entire settlement benefited the carrier by reducing its future obligations, the carrier should be responsible for all attorney's fees, and its lien was consequently vacated.

Attorney's Fees ApportionmentLien VacationThird-Party SettlementInsurance Carrier LiabilityWorkers' Compensation Law § 29Subrogation RightsEquitable ApportionmentJudicial DiscretionStatutory BenefitWorkers' Compensation Benefits
References
0
Case No. ADJ8313132
Regular
2015-05-00

Ana Garcia vs. Exemplar Enterprise, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America

This case involves a lien claim by Preferred Scan, Inc. (PSI) for photocopying services provided to the applicant's attorney. The initial ruling disallowed PSI's lien, finding it failed to meet registration and bonding requirements for professional photocopiers under Business and Professions Code sections 22450 and 22455. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reversed this decision, holding that PSI was exempt as an independent contractor of a member of the State Bar pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 22451(b). The WCAB found sufficient evidence that PSI acted as an agent or independent contractor for the attorney, thus making registration and bonding unnecessary. The case was returned to the trial level to determine the amount due on PSI's lien.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeIndependent ContractorBusiness and Professions Code Section 22451Registration RequirementsBonding RequirementsMember of the State Bar
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 07, 1978

SOCIALIST WKRS. PARTY v. Attorney General of US

This case involves an action by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and the Young Socialist Alliance (YSA) against various federal agencies and officials, primarily the Attorney General and the FBI, for alleged constitutional violations stemming from extensive FBI informant activities and disruption programs. The current opinion addresses the Attorney General's refusal to comply with a May 31, 1977, court order to produce 18 confidential FBI informant files to plaintiffs' counsel. The court rejected the Attorney General's arguments concerning informant confidentiality, appellate review, and alternative sanctions, emphasizing the files' indispensable nature for the litigation of plaintiffs' claims, which include demands for damages and injunctive relief. The court ruled that the Attorney General must comply with the production order by July 7, 1978, or face civil contempt, underscoring the judiciary's power to enforce orders even against high-ranking government officials.

Informant ConfidentialityDiscovery DisputeCivil ContemptGovernment MisconductFBI SurveillancePolitical OrganizationsFirst Amendment RightsConstitutional ViolationsAppellate ReviewAttorney General
References
35
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 01338
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 21, 2019

Matter of Pierre

This case involves W. Marilynn Pierre, a suspended attorney, and the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department. Pierre was previously suspended in 2017 due to admissions of professional misconduct, including commingling client funds, using her escrow account as an operating account, and evading tax liens. She also converted/misappropriated guardianship funds and failed to satisfy a judgment. Now, the parties have filed a joint motion for discipline by consent, stipulating to facts that confirm violations of rules 1.15 (a), (b), (e), and 8.4 (c) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Mitigating factors include her cooperation, current work as a social worker, restitution efforts, and mental health issues (bulimia, depression, ADD) affecting her practice, for which she is undergoing monitoring. The Court grants the joint motion and imposes a five-year suspension, retroactive to August 8, 2017.

Attorney misconductprofessional ethicsattorney disciplineescrow account misusecommingling fundsmisappropriationtax liensmental healthmitigating factorssuspension
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Koutrakos v. Long Island College Hospital

This case addresses the distribution of funds from a wrongful death settlement, specifically concerning a workmen's compensation lien and plaintiff's attorney fees. The court examined whether Workmen's Compensation Law § 29, subd. 1, which mandates full reimbursement of the carrier's lien without contribution to attorney fees, is constitutional. It found the provision unconstitutional, arguing it unjustly burdens the plaintiff—a widow with infant children—by forcing her to cover legal costs for the carrier's benefit. The court concluded that such a statutory requirement violates due process and equal protection clauses of both Federal and New York State Constitutions, and abrogates the constitutional right to a full recovery for death-related injuries.

Wrongful DeathWorkmen's Compensation LienAttorney's FeesConstitutional LawDue ProcessEqual ProtectionUnjust EnrichmentSubrogationSettlement DisbursementJudiciary Law
References
1
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