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Case Law Database

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

Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 01046 [169 AD3d 747]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 13, 2019

Barrios v. 19-19 24th Ave. Co., LLC

The plaintiff, Sergio Barrios, sustained personal injuries when a differential block and chain fell on his head while preparing a hoisting apparatus at the defendants' premises. He sued 19-19 24th Avenue Company, LLC, et al., alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 240 (1) and 241 (6). The Supreme Court, Kings County, denied both parties' motions for summary judgment. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, modified the order. It granted the plaintiff summary judgment on the Labor Law § 240 (1) claim, finding the repair work fell under its purview. It also granted the defendants summary judgment dismissing the Labor Law § 241 (6) claim, ruling that the plaintiff's work did not constitute construction, demolition, or excavation.

Personal InjuryLabor LawScaffolding LawGravity HazardSummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewRepair WorkHoisting ApparatusWorkplace SafetyStatutory Interpretation
References
8
Case No. MISC. NO. 264
En Banc
Oct 27, 2020

Workers' Compensation Appeals Board vs. State of California

The Appeals Board rescinds its suspension of WCAB Rules 10755, 10756, and 10888, which had previously suspended the dismissal of cases for failure to appear due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCOVID-19State of EmergencyEn BancWCAB RulesSuspensionRescindsDismissalFailure to AppearApplication
References
4
Case No. 536047
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 16, 2023

In the Matter of the Claim of Frank Aungst

Frank Aungst, a store manager, sought workers' compensation benefits after contracting COVID-19 and suffering a consequential stroke. The Workers' Compensation Board determined that his COVID-19 infection was an accidental injury arising from his employment, citing his elevated risk as an essential public-facing worker. Furthermore, the Board found a causal link between the COVID-19 infection and his subsequent stroke, relying on medical testimony. The employer and carrier appealed this decision. The Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, affirmed the Board's findings, concluding that substantial evidence supported both the work-related COVID-19 contraction and the causally-related consequential stroke.

COVID-19Workers' Compensation BenefitsAccidental InjuryConsequential InjuryStrokeCausationElevated RiskStore ManagerEssential WorkerAppellate Review
References
22
Case No. CV-24-1493
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 11, 2026

Matter of Hogan v. ABF Frgt. Sys., Inc.

Decedent, a truck driver, contracted COVID-19 in March 2020 and died from cardiac arrest due to respiratory failure and COVID-19. His widow filed a claim for workers' compensation death benefits. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed the Workers' Compensation Law Judge's decision establishing the claim, finding decedent's death causally related to his employment due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in his workplace. The employer appealed, arguing that due process rights were violated and challenging the causal connection. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that contracting COVID-19 in the workplace qualifies as an unusual hazard and is compensable, and that the Board's factual findings were supported by substantial evidence.

Workers' CompensationCOVID-19Causal ConnectionWorkplace ExposureDeath BenefitsAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceDue ProcessOccupational DiseaseTruck Driver
References
9
Case No. 536047
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 16, 2023

Matter of Aungst v. Family Dollar

Claimant Frank Aungst, a store manager, sought workers' compensation benefits after contracting COVID-19 and suffering a consequential stroke in April-May 2020. The Workers' Compensation Board found his claim valid, concluding he sustained an accidental injury due to elevated exposure at work and that the stroke was causally related. The employer and carrier appealed, disputing the work-relatedness of the COVID-19 infection and the causal link to the stroke. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, determining that substantial evidence supported both the finding of a work-related COVID-19 contraction and a causally-related consequential stroke. The court specifically credited the testimony of the claimant's vascular neurologist regarding the stroke's causation by COVID-19.

COVID-19StrokeOccupational DiseaseAccidental InjuryCausationElevated RiskPublic-Facing EmploymentWorkers' Compensation BoardAppellate DivisionMedical Evidence
References
16
Case No. CV-23-1251
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 14, 2024

In the Matter of the Claim of Romona Rottkamp

Romona Rottkamp appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision denying death benefits for her son, Brian Dutton (decedent). The decedent, a refrigeration engineer for New York University, contracted COVID-19 and later died due to cardiac arrest, with COVID-19 listed as a cause on his death certificate. Rottkamp claimed he contracted the virus at work. The Board affirmed the Workers' Compensation Law Judge's disallowance, finding insufficient proof of a causally-related death, specifically no credible evidence of COVID-19 prevalence in the work environment or specific workplace exposure. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, concluding it was supported by substantial evidence and that the claimant failed to meet the burden of proof, noting the lack of corroboration for the decedent's hearsay statement about contracting COVID-19 at work.

COVID-19Workers' Compensation Death BenefitsCausationEmployment ExposureHearsay EvidenceCorroborationSubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewRefrigeration EngineerWork Environment Safety
References
10
Case No. CV-23-0661
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 10, 2024

In the Matter of the Claim of Candice Miller (Wallace Miller (dec'd))

The case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision which ruled that the decedent's death from COVID-19 was causally-related to his employment, granting death benefits to his spouse, Candace Miller. The decedent, a paratransit operator, frequently transported visibly ill passengers and contracted COVID-19 shortly after his last workday, leading to his death. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier controverted the claim, arguing it was not a compensable accident. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed the claim, finding that the decedent was at an increased risk of COVID-19 exposure due to his public-facing job and regular interactions with symptomatic individuals during a period of high community infection rates, thus constituting an extraordinary event. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that workplace contraction of COVID-19 qualifies as an unusual hazard and is compensable under the Workers' Compensation Law when supported by substantial evidence.

COVID-19Causally-related deathWorkers' Compensation Death BenefitsParatransit operatorWorkplace exposureElevated riskExtraordinary eventSubstantial evidenceCredibility of witnessesIncubation period
References
9
Case No. CV-23-0298
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 15, 2024

In the Matter of the Claim of Gayle Leonard

Gayle Leonard, an alteration seamstress, filed a workers' compensation claim after contracting COVID-19 at work. The employer and its carrier controverted the claim, arguing it was not a causally-related injury. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially established the claim for occupationally contracted COVID-19. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed this decision, finding that Leonard demonstrated specific exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace through interactions with a coworker who tested positive. The Board also concluded that Leonard was entitled to the presumption of compensability under Workers' Compensation Law § 21, which the carrier failed to rebut, having waived the right to an independent medical exam. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, ruling that contracting COVID-19 in the workplace can qualify as an unusual hazard and is compensable. The court found substantial evidence supported the Board's determination of a work-related injury due to specific exposure and upheld the application of the statutory presumption, concluding that a causal connection between the injury and employment was established.

COVID-19Workers' CompensationAccidental InjuryWorkplace ExposurePresumption of CompensabilityCausal ConnectionAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceAlteration SeamstressOccupational Illness
References
6
Case No. 535958
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 28, 2024

In the Matter of the Claim of Melissa Anderson

Claimant, a teacher, sought workers' compensation benefits for psychological injuries (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) resulting from COVID-19 exposure and anxiety about students returning to school. Her claim was initially disallowed by a WCLJ and affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board, which found the stress was not greater than that in a normal work environment for similarly situated teachers. On appeal, the claimant argued that the Board applied disparate burdens for physical vs. psychological COVID-19-related injuries. The Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, clarified that psychological injuries are compensable to the same extent as physical injuries and that the 'greater than normal work environment' standard should not be applied to diminish consideration of an individual's vulnerabilities. The Court found the Board's inconsistent application of rules for COVID-19 exposure violated the principle of parity. The decision was reversed, and the matter remitted for reconsideration, requiring the Board to determine if a workplace accident occurred due to specific exposure or elevated risk from COVID-19, considering claimant's vulnerabilities and causal connection.

Workers' CompensationPsychological InjuryCOVID-19 ExposureMental HealthStress-Related InjuryAppellate ReviewBoard DecisionCausal ConnectionSimilarly Situated WorkersDue Process
References
55
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 00838 [224 AD3d 1066]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 15, 2024

Matter of Fernandez v. New York City Tr. Auth.

Brenda Fernandez, claimant, appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board regarding the death benefits claim for her husband, a track inspector, who died in November 2020 after contracting COVID-19 in March 2020. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge found the COVID-19 injury work-related, but the Board later disallowed the claim. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, citing that the claimant failed to meet her burden of demonstrating that the decedent contracted COVID-19 in the course of his employment. The court emphasized the requirement for specific exposure or an elevated risk in the work environment, which was not sufficiently proven.

COVID-19Workers' CompensationDeath BenefitsCausationEmployment InjuryTrack InspectorPulmonary EmbolismCardiac ArrestAppellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
9
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