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

Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 08114
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 01, 2016

Matter of Kent D. (Rachel D.)

Petitioner Kent D. appealed an order from Family Court, New York County, which denied his motion for a forensic evaluation and granted the cross motion to dismiss his petition for visitation with his child. The background reveals that in February 2008, Kent D. stabbed Rachel D., the mother, seven times in front of their child, leading to his conviction for assault and child endangerment and an 11-year prison sentence. A 19-year order of protection was issued, prohibiting contact with the child. The Family Court had previously awarded custody to the mother, and a 2012 divorce judgment affirmed no visitation rights for Kent D. The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court's decision, finding that Kent D. failed to make an evidentiary showing of changed circumstances required for a visitation hearing, and his claims of completing an anger management program were unsubstantiated. The court also noted the child's continuing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and desire not to see him.

Visitation RightsChild CustodyOrder of ProtectionDomestic ViolenceAssault ConvictionChanged CircumstancesForensic EvaluationAppellate ReviewFamily LawPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder
References
2
Case No. ADJ8387626
Regular
Oct 29, 2015

ANA DIAZ vs. SAMBRAILO PACKAGING, INC., ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a lien claim for photocopying services provided by California Imaging Solutions (CIS). The WCJ initially disallowed the lien because CIS was not registered as a professional photocopier, as required by Business and Professions Code section 22450. However, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that CIS was exempt from this registration requirement under Business and Professions Code section 22451(b) because it acted as an agent or independent contractor for applicant's attorney. The case is returned to the trial level to address record deficiencies and re-evaluate the lien claim's compensability in light of this exemption.

Lien ClaimantReconsiderationFindings And OrderAdministrative Law JudgeWCJProfessional PhotocopierBusiness and Professions Code Section 22450Business and Professions Code Section 22451(b)State BarAgent
References
3
Case No. ADJ8997883
Regular
Jan 04, 2016

PEDRO ALAVEZ vs. SAK'S TERIYAKI, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a lien claim by Western Imaging Services, Inc. (WIS) for copying services provided to applicant's attorney. The WCJ initially disallowed the lien, finding WIS failed to prove it was an independent contractor exempt from Business and Professions Code section 22450. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, holding that WIS made a prima facie showing of exemption under Business and Professions Code section 22451(b) by acting as an agent or independent contractor for a State Bar member. Consequently, the case is returned to the trial level for a new decision on the lien claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardWestern Imaging ServicesInc.Business and Professions Code section 22451independent contractoragentState Barlien claimantreconsiderationPrima facie showing
References
1
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

Coyne Electrical Contractors, Inc. v. United States (In Re Coyne Electrical Contractors, Inc.)

This case addresses whether a New York Lien Law "trust fund" beneficiary’s claim to priority payment under Lien Law Section 71(2)(d) is preempted by ERISA. The applicant, The Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry and its Participating Funds (JIB), sought priority payment from funds held by the debtor, asserting a claim for unpaid benefits. The defendant, A-J Contracting, Inc. (A-J), challenged this, arguing ERISA preemption, specifically that the Lien Law provided an "alternative enforcement mechanism" forbidden by ERISA. The court reviewed federal preemption doctrine and ERISA's objectives, ultimately concluding that Section 71(2)(d) does not create such a mechanism as it confirms existing employer liability rather than shifting it. Therefore, the court found that ERISA does not preempt JIB's assertion of priority rights under Lien Law Section 71(2)(d).

ERISA preemptionLien Law trust fundpriority disputeunpaid employee benefitsbankruptcy estatedebtor liabilityconstruction subcontractsfederal supremacystatutory interpretationcollective bargaining agreement
References
29
Case No. ADJ9351964 ADJ9351965
Regular
Mar 15, 2016

ROGELIO CORNEJO vs. YOUNIQUE CAFÉ, INC., ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

In this case, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of its prior en banc decision. The prior decision held that Chapter 20 of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code did not apply to a copy service lien claimant acting as an agent or independent contractor for a lawyer. Consequently, proof of registration and bonding under Business and Professions Code sections 22450 and 22455 was deemed unnecessary in such circumstances. The Board granted reconsideration to further study the factual and legal issues presented.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardYounique CaféZenith Insurance CompanyWestern Imaging ServicesInc.Rogelio CornejoPetition for ReconsiderationEn BancChapter 20Business and Professions Code
References
0
Case No. ADJ8967361
Regular
Nov 26, 2014

FELIPE GARCIA (DECEASED) GUILLERMINA GARCIA (WIDOW) vs. SALVADOR GAYTAN dba G\&P AG MANAGEMENT CONTRACTORS, INC.; STAR INSURANCE, Adjusted by MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP

This case involved a petition for reconsideration by the applicant in a workers' compensation matter where the deceased worker, Felipe Garcia, was initially found to be an employee but later deemed an independent contractor by the Appeals Board. The applicant argued the Board erred by disregarding the WCJ's credibility assessment and by not applying Labor Code section 2750.5 to unlicensed contractors. The Board denied the petition, finding no evidence the deceased worker was engaged in activities requiring a contractor's license under Business and Professions Code sections 7000 and 7026. Therefore, Labor Code section 2750.5 was inapplicable, and the prior decision finding the applicant an independent contractor was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndependent contractorEmployee statusReconsiderationLabor Code section 2750.5Contractors' State License LawBlew v. HornerGarza v. Worker's Comp. Appeals Bd.Rinaldi v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Unlicensed contractor
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 25, 1986

In re Moises D.

This appeal arises from an amended order of the Family Court, Kings County, which dismissed petitions alleging that Moisés D. and Noami D. were neglected children. The appellate court reversed the lower court's decision, adjudicating Moisés D. and Noami D. as neglected children and remitting the matter for a dispositional hearing. The evidence detailed the father's history of paranoid schizophrenia and past instances of severe abuse and neglect towards his other children, including physical violence and a dangerous incident with an autistic son. The mother was found to have failed to protect the children and demonstrated a faulty understanding of parental duties, leading the court to conclude a substantial risk of harm to Moisés D. and Noami D. without supervision. The decision emphasized the necessity of a dispositional hearing to determine the children's well-being and maintain family integrity.

Child NeglectFamily Court ActParental RightsMental IllnessParanoid SchizophreniaChild AbuseAppellate ReviewDispositional HearingRisk AssessmentParental Fitness
References
4
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 00935 [180 AD3d 1331]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 07, 2020

Matter of Emma D. (Kelly v. D.)

This case involves two appeals concerning Emma D. In Appeal No. 1, the Ontario County Department of Social Services (DSS) initiated a neglect proceeding against the mother, Kelly V.(D.). The mother's motion to change venue to Monroe County was denied due to her refusal to provide her actual residence. In Appeal No. 2, the grandmother, Margarita D., commenced a custody proceeding against the mother. Custody was granted to the grandmother, supported by findings of extraordinary circumstances including the mother's neglect, unstable living situation, mental health issues, and failure to address the child's special needs. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, unanimously affirmed both orders, including the supervised visitation arrangement between the mother and grandmother.

Child NeglectCustody DisputeFamily Court ActVenue ChangeExtraordinary CircumstancesSupervised VisitationParental RightsChild WelfareAppellate ReviewParental Fitness
References
9
Case No. ADJ3767421 (SFO 0438615)
Regular
Aug 02, 2010

MICHELLE ROUTSON vs. JOHN EVANS, D.D.S., ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision that found it lacked jurisdiction over a petition to transfer structured settlement payment rights. The WCAB rescinded the prior decision, holding that the five-year limitation under Labor Code section 5804 does not apply to commutations of compensation payments. Instead, such matters are governed by Labor Code section 5100, which allows the WCAB to commute payments at any time if certain conditions are met. The case is returned to the trial level for the WCJ to determine if the proposed transfer satisfies section 5100 and related Insurance Code provisions.

Structured settlement transferPetition for ApprovalInsurance Code §10134Labor Code §5804commutationWorkers' Compensation Appeals Boardjurisdictionrescindedfive-year limitationLabor Code §5100
References
1
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