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

Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 08027 [155 AD3d 900]
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 15, 2017

Poalacin v. Mall Properties, Inc.

The plaintiff, Nelson Poalacin, was injured when he fell from a defective ladder while working at a retail property undergoing refurbishment. He sued multiple defendants, including the property owners (Mall Properties, Inc., KMO-361 Realty Associates, LLC, The Gap, Inc.), the general contractor (James Hunt Construction), and subcontractors (Weather Champions, Ltd., APCO Insulation Co., Inc.), alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 240 (1), 200, and 241 (6), as well as common-law negligence. The Supreme Court initially denied Poalacin's motion for summary judgment on Labor Law § 240 (1) and later granted the defendants' motions to dismiss the complaint. On appeal, the Appellate Division reversed the Supreme Court's orders, granting Poalacin summary judgment on the Labor Law § 240 (1) claim and denying the defendants' motions to dismiss the other Labor Law claims. The court also made declarations regarding indemnification and insurance coverage between the parties, finding Harleysville Insurance's policy was excess to Netherlands Insurance Company's policy, and remitted the matter for judgment entry.

Labor LawConstruction AccidentWorkplace SafetyLadder FallSummary JudgmentIndemnificationInsurance DisputesAdditional InsuredCommon-Law NegligenceThird-Party Action
References
37
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gould v. International Paper Co.

Plaintiff Lawrence Gould sustained a severe head injury while performing logging work for his father on property owned by International Paper Company. Plaintiff and his wife initiated an action against G.L. & R.L. Logging, Inc., International Paper Company, and International Paper Timberlands Operating Company, alleging that G.L. & R.L. Logging, Inc. left the property in a dangerous condition by allowing hanging trees to remain, which caused the plaintiff's injuries. Earlier in the litigation, International Paper Company was granted summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, on the grounds of a lack of proximate cause evidence. Subsequently, G.L. & R.L. Logging, Inc. moved for summary judgment, which the Supreme Court denied, citing factual issues from a second deposition. On appeal, the order denying summary judgment to G.L. & R.L. Logging, Inc. is reversed. The appellate court ruled that the doctrine of the law of the case precluded reconsideration of the proximate cause issue, as it had already been judicially determined on facts common to all defendants. The court also found the second deposition testimony to be inconsistent, speculative, and lacking probative value. Summary judgment is granted to G.L. & R.L. Logging, Inc., and the complaint against it is dismissed.

Summary JudgmentProximate CauseLaw of the CaseLogging AccidentPersonal InjuryAppellate ReviewMotion to DismissEmployer LiabilityDangerous Property ConditionDeposition Testimony
References
7
Case No. 2014 NY Slip Op 05765
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 13, 2014

Commissioners of State Insurance Fund v. Kaywood Properties, Ltd.

The case involves an appeal by Kaywood Properties, Ltd., from an order denying its motion for summary judgment. The Commissioners of State Insurance Fund sued Kaywood Properties for allegedly unpaid workers' compensation insurance premiums. Kaywood Properties argued it had no employees during the relevant period, thus owing no premiums. The Supreme Court denied their motion, and the Appellate Division affirmed this decision. The Appellate Division found that Kaywood's affidavit contained only conclusory assertions without sufficient evidentiary support to establish its prima facie entitlement to judgment.

Workers' CompensationInsurance PremiumsSummary JudgmentAffirmationAppellate ReviewEmployer LiabilityPayrollEvidentiary SupportConclusory AssertionsSupreme Court
References
6
Case No. 61 AD3d 88
Regular Panel Decision

Lighthouse Pointe Property Associates LLC v. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The petitioner, Lighthouse Pointe Property Associates LLC, challenged the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) decision to deny its properties' inclusion in the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) through a CPLR article 78 proceeding. DEC's denial was based on its determination that the properties did not meet the statutory definition of a brownfield site, arguing that contamination levels were minimal and did not complicate redevelopment, with issues primarily stemming from solid waste. Lighthouse presented substantial evidence of contamination, including hazardous wastes exceeding cleanup standards, which had demonstrably hindered redevelopment efforts by impacting financing and regulatory approvals. The Supreme Court initially sided with Lighthouse, but the Appellate Division reversed, deferring to DEC's expertise. The Court of Appeals ultimately reversed the Appellate Division, concluding that DEC's interpretation of "brownfield site" was arbitrarily narrow and contrary to the broad legislative intent of the BCP, thereby reinstating the Supreme Court's judgment to grant Lighthouse's application.

Brownfield Cleanup ProgramEnvironmental Conservation LawContaminationReal Property RedevelopmentHazardous WasteSolid Waste LandfillSoil Cleanup ObjectivesAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationArbitrary and Capricious
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Havas v. Victory Paper Stock Co.

This appeal concerns Leslie Havas, an employee of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, who was injured while manually loading heavy waste paper bales onto a Victory Paper Stock Company truck. The accident occurred due to an unsecured, improvised ramp after the hydraulic lift was out of service. Havas sued Victory, who then brought Morgan in as a third-party defendant. A jury found both liable, apportioning fault equally. The Appellate Division reversed, concluding Victory owed no duty and committed no proximate negligence. This court, in an opinion by Judge Fuchsberg, reverses the Appellate Division's order, asserting that the trial judge properly submitted the case to the jury. The decision emphasizes the foreseeability of the accident and the commingled efforts of both companies' employees, which established a mutual duty of care. The case is remitted to the Appellate Division for a review of the facts.

NegligenceForeseeabilityDuty of CareJoint EffortsContributory NegligenceJury RoleAppellate ReviewPersonal InjuryLoading AccidentThird-Party Liability
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Romano v. Whitehall Properties

An employee of Sorbara Construction Company was injured at a construction site owned by Whitehall Properties, LLC. The employee received workers' compensation benefits from Travelers Indemnity Insurance Company of America, Sorbara's carrier. The employee also filed a negligence action against Whitehall and the general contractor, Kreisler Borg Florman General Construction Co., Inc. This negligence action was settled, with Travelers contributing under a general liability policy. Whitehall and Kreisler appealed a Supreme Court order denying their motion to extinguish Travelers' workers' compensation lien against the settlement. The appellate court affirmed, ruling that the anti-subrogation rule did not apply because Travelers' workers' compensation obligation arose from a separate policy issued to Sorbara, not the general liability policy covering Whitehall and Kreisler, thus allowing Travelers to assert its lien.

Workers' Compensation LienAnti-Subrogation RuleGeneral Liability PolicyPersonal Injury DamagesConstruction AccidentEmployer NegligenceInsurance CarrierSettlement AgreementAppellate DecisionThird-Party Action
References
6
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 08317 [145 AD3d 506]
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 13, 2016

Burgos v. Premiere Properties, Inc.

Joaquin Burgos, a building porter, sustained injuries after tripping over a tool bag on a stairway. He sued Premiere Properties, Inc., the building management company, alleging negligence and Labor Law violations. The Supreme Court denied Premiere's motion for summary judgment. On appeal, the Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed the denial. The court found issues of fact regarding Premiere's potential liability as a statutory agent under Labor Law § 200 due to its extensive control over the construction site, as well as whether Premiere had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition. Claims under Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) were deemed abandoned.

Personal InjuryPremises LiabilityConstruction Site SafetyLabor Law 200Statutory AgentSummary Judgment DenialTrip and FallSafe Place to WorkManagement Company LiabilityAppellate Affirmation
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 28, 2005

Evans v. P.C.I. Paper Conversions, Inc.

Plaintiff, who was employed by Contemporary Personnel Staffing, Inc. and placed at P.C.I. Paper Conversions, Inc. (PCI), sustained injuries while operating an offset machine. She subsequently initiated a negligence and products liability action against PCI. PCI sought summary judgment, contending that the plaintiff was its special employee, thereby barring the action under Workers’ Compensation Law §§11 and 29. The Supreme Court denied this motion, ruling that there was a triable issue of fact concerning an agreement between Contemporary Personnel Staffing, Inc. and PCI that might have restricted PCI from employing the plaintiff in that capacity. The appellate court affirmed the Supreme Court's decision, finding no error in the lower court's conclusion.

Personal InjuryNegligenceProducts LiabilityWorkers Compensation LawSpecial Employee DoctrineSummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewEmployer LiabilityTriable Issue of FactControl over Work
References
4
Case No. 21 MC 101, 04 Civ. 7272(AKH)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 09, 2007

In Re September 11 Property Damage

This opinion addresses the legal sufficiency of third-party actions filed by Seven World Trade Company, L.P. and Silverstein Properties, Inc. (Silverstein), owners and developers of 7 World Trade Center, seeking indemnification and contribution. Silverstein, who was both a plaintiff and defendant in various lawsuits following the September 11, 2001, destruction of 7WTC, brought claims against OEM Design and Construction Defendants, Citigroup Design and Construction Defendants, and engineers Irwin Cantor and Syska. The court granted motions to dismiss from all third-party defendants. It found OEM defendants immune under the New York State Defense Emergency Act, Citigroup defendants protected by Silverstein's prior assumption of risk, and Irwin Cantor and Syska dismissed for failure to meet heightened pleading standards for licensed design professionals.

September 11 AttacksWorld Trade CenterProperty DamageBusiness LossThird-Party LitigationIndemnificationContributionMotions to DismissSDEA ImmunityAssumption of Risk
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Schmitz v. St. Regis Paper Co.

Plaintiff Kathleen M. Schmitz, having been reinstated to a new position following a successful Title VII employment discrimination suit against St. Regis Paper Company (now Champion International Corporation), filed a motion for contempt. She alleged that the new role was not comparable to her previous marketing manager position. The District Court denied her motion, ruling that her claim was barred by the equitable doctrine of laches due to an unreasonable delay in filing the motion after becoming aware of her concerns. Additionally, the court found that Schmitz failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that Champion did not comply with the reinstatement order, determining the new position was sufficiently comparable regarding pay, title, and duties.

Employment DiscriminationTitle VIICivil Rights Act of 1964Reinstatement OrderMotion for ContemptEquitable Doctrine of LachesComparable Employment PositionJob ResponsibilitiesSuccessor CorporationMerger Impact
References
14
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