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

Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 00377
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 30, 2024

Hribovsek v. United Cerebral Palsy of N.Y. City

The Appellate Division, First Department, reviewed an order from the Supreme Court, New York County, concerning Hedvika Polonca Hribovsek's claims against United Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP), Sharon Frazier, and Shakira Robinson. The court modified the Supreme Court's order by dismissing plaintiff's claims for race and national origin discrimination and retaliation under the NYSHRL and NYCHRL. It affirmed the lower court's denial of summary judgment for UCP on successor liability, finding issues of fact regarding whether UCP could be held liable as a successor to Federal Employment and Guidance Services (FEGS). The Appellate Division also affirmed the refusal to dismiss plaintiff's disability discrimination claims and hostile work environment claims, citing factual disputes regarding discriminatory conduct, mocking an accent, and excessive monitoring.

DiscriminationRetaliationHostile Work EnvironmentSuccessor LiabilitySummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewDisability DiscriminationRace DiscriminationNational Origin DiscriminationHuman Rights Law
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mantis v. United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc.

Stephanie Mantis, a quadriplegic adult with cerebral palsy, reported abuse by her mother, Elizabeth Mantis, to the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc. (UCP). UCP followed mandated procedures, reporting the allegations to the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) and Adult Protective Services (APS), and provided temporary lodging for Stephanie. Despite Stephanie later recanting her initial statement, OMRDD found UCP acted in her best interest. Elizabeth Mantis subsequently filed a lawsuit against UCP, asserting claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and false imprisonment. The court granted UCP's motion for partial summary judgment, finding that UCP was immune from civil liability under Social Services Law § 473-b due to its good faith reporting of the suspected abuse. Furthermore, the court denied the plaintiffs' cross-motion for a stay of decision pending depositions and imposed sanctions on Elizabeth Mantis and her attorneys for continuing the claims in bad faith.

Abuse AllegationsSocial Services LawImmunity from Civil LiabilityPartial Summary JudgmentIntentional Infliction of Emotional DistressDefamation ClaimFalse Imprisonment ClaimAdult Protective ServicesOMRDD InvestigationSanctions for Bad Faith Litigation
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

the Claim of Brigandi v. Town & Country Linoleum & Carpet

This case involves an appeal by an employer and its compensation carrier against decisions made by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The decedent, a carpet layer, died from cardiac arrest during work, with an autopsy revealing underlying coronary atherosclerotic disease. His widow was awarded death benefits. The employer’s carrier sought reimbursement from the Special Disability Fund under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (8), asserting a preexisting permanent physical impairment. However, the Board determined that there was no evidence that the decedent’s heart condition hindered his job potential before his death, thus releasing the Special Disability Fund from liability and holding the compensation carrier responsible. The employer's subsequent application for reconsideration was denied by the Board, leading to these appeals. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decisions, concluding that the Board rationally found no proof that the decedent's heart disease impaired his job potential, a necessary condition for reimbursement under WCL § 15 (8) (d).

Special Disability FundPreexisting Permanent ImpairmentCardiac ArrestCoronary Atherosclerotic DiseaseDeath Benefits ClaimEmployer ReimbursementCarrier LiabilityBoard Decision ReviewAppellate AffirmationMedical Evidence Interpretation
References
2
Case No. CV-23-0524
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 10, 2024

Matter of Becker v. United Cerebral Palsy Assoc.

Claimant Sofia Becker injured her right ankle in December 2000, leading to an established workers' compensation claim and consequential injuries to her left wrist and both knees with assigned schedule loss of use. In September 2021, claimant fell at home, injuring her left elbow, and sought to amend her claim to include this as a consequential injury. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially found prima facie medical evidence for the consequential injury but later disallowed the claim, a decision affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board (Board). The Board determined the left elbow injury was a regular, unrelated slip-and-fall accident, lacking a consequential causal relationship to her prior established injuries. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding it supported by substantial evidence due to the absence of medical opinion linking the elbow injury to prior compensable injuries and conflicting independent medical examination findings.

Workers' CompensationConsequential InjuryCausationMedical EvidenceSchedule Loss of UseSlip and FallBoard DecisionAppellate ReviewCredibility AssessmentOrthopedic Injury
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Milner v. Country Developers, Inc.

The Special Disability Fund appealed decisions by the Workmen’s Compensation Board which imposed liability on the Fund for a claimant's injuries. The Board found that the employer, Country Developers, continued to employ the claimant, a carpenter, with knowledge of his pre-existing permanent physical impairment, triggering liability under subdivision 8 of section 15 of the Workmen’s Compensation Law. The claimant suffered a fracture of the nose and a hip dislocation in 1964, having a history of three ruptured disc surgeries and other conditions. The appeal centered on whether the employer had sufficient knowledge of the claimant’s permanent condition. Testimony from the employer’s foreman, Mr. Pahlck, indicated awareness of the claimant's back issues, including wearing a back brace and being favored by co-workers. The court affirmed the Board’s decision, reiterating that employer knowledge is a question of fact for the Board, and its findings, if supported by substantial evidence, will not be disturbed.

Workers' Compensation LawSpecial Disability FundEmployer LiabilityPre-existing Permanent ImpairmentEmployer KnowledgeSubstantial EvidencePermanent Partial DisabilityFracture of NoseHip DislocationRuptured Discs
References
3
Case No. ADJ10873991
Regular
Dec 24, 2018

CARLA AGUILAR vs. UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY/SPASTIC CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and affirmed the WCJ's decision, with minor amendments. The Board gave great weight to the WCJ's credibility determinations, finding no substantial evidence to overturn them. Applicant Carla Aguilar sustained an injury to her right shoulder, elbow, and wrist on March 27, 2017, while employed as a caregiver. The employer was United Cerebral Palsy/Spastic Children's Foundation, permissibly self-insured and administered by York Risk Services, Inc.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJcredibility determinationsGarza v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.self-insuredadministeredinjurycaregiverdirect support staff
References
1
Case No. ADJ3057272 (RDG 0125821)
Regular
Dec 03, 2010

FIDEL NAZARENO vs. OLD DURHAM WOOD COMPANY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a defendant's petition for reconsideration of a permanent disability award, arguing the Agreed Medical Evaluator's (AME) impairment rating was inconsistent with AMA Guides. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the award, and returned the matter for further development of the record. Issues include the DEU rater improperly separating AME's combined whole person impairment and the AME needing to clarify his reasoning on grip loss and potential overlap with other impairments. The AME will also re-evaluate impairment without referencing prior DEU ratings.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDAgreed Medical EvaluatorAMEpermanent disabilityAMA GuidesDEU raterrating instructionswhole person impairmentFindings and AwardPetition for Reconsideration
References
1
Case No. ADJ10243412
Regular
Jun 10, 2019

DEBRA LUX vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

This case involves an injured firefighter seeking workers' compensation for a right knee injury. The defendant sought reconsideration of a finding of 17% permanent disability, arguing the administrative law judge erred by combining range of motion and diagnosis-based impairments, and by not apportioning the diagnosis-based impairment. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, finding the medical evaluator adequately explained the departure from standard AMA Guides methodology for rating the combined impairments. The Board also affirmed no apportionment of the diagnosis-based impairment as no substantial evidence showed non-industrial factors contributed to the need for surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardApplicantDefendantPermissibly Self-InsuredAdministered by CORVELFirefighterIndustrial InjuryRight KneePermanent DisabilityWhole Person Impairment
References
5
Case No. ADJ7927652
Regular
Oct 25, 2016

Bozenna Kasperowicz vs. Metropolitan State Hospital, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This case involves an industrial injury to the applicant, a psychiatric technician, sustained on June 14, 2011, from a patient strike to the head. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address disputes over psychiatric impairment and a sleep disorder rating. The WCAB affirmed the original award but reduced the permanent disability rating from 76% to 70% by excluding the sleep dysfunction impairment. The WCAB found Dr. O'Brien's opinion on psychiatric impairment more persuasive than conflicting medical evaluations and determined Dr. Matos's opinion on sleep impairment lacked substantial medical evidence due to staleness.

WCABReconsiderationPsychiatric ImpairmentWhole Person ImpairmentGAF ScoreSleep DisorderSubstantial Medical EvidencePermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorInsomnia
References
0
Case No. ADJ7713711
Regular
Mar 11, 2016

JULIANA MASTERS vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the WCJ's decision, upholding the finding that applicant's sleep impairment, though present, was subsumed by the physical upper extremity impairments and thus not separately ratable. The Board found the Agreed Medical Examiner's opinion on sleep disorder impairment was not substantial evidence as it was predicated on pain already accounted for in the physical injury ratings per the AMA Guides. Therefore, the applicant's permanent disability rating remained at 69%. A dissenting opinion argued the Agreed Medical Examiner's opinion should be followed, as it addressed distinct impairments beyond pain and was supported by relevant case law.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAmended Findings of Fact and AwardsIndustrial InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheBook BinderSleep ImpairmentAMA GuidesPermanent DisabilityAgreed Medical Examiner
References
9
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