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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

Claim of Schwartz v. State Insurance Fund

Claimant appealed two Workers' Compensation Board decisions. The first decision, filed April 25, 2012, ruled that her alleged cardiac conditions were not causally related to her established work-related stress claim. The second decision, filed May 2, 2012, denied her payment for intermittent lost time. The court affirmed both decisions, finding that the employer's independent medical examiner complied with Workers' Compensation Law § 137, and the Board's resolution of conflicting medical opinions regarding cardiac conditions was supported by substantial evidence. Additionally, the Board's determination that the claimant's Friday absences were for convenience, not disability, was also upheld by substantial evidence.

Workers' Compensation Board AppealsCausally Related DisabilityCardiac ConditionsHypertensionMitral Valve InsufficiencyTricuspid Valve InsufficiencyEnlarged Left AtriumWork-Related StressAdjustment DisorderIntermittent Lost Time Benefits
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 06, 1998

Nieves v. Five Boro Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Corp.

Reding Nieves, an employee of United Fire Protection, was injured while installing fire sprinklers at a New York Hall of Science site, which was subcontracted by Five Boro Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Corp. He allegedly tripped over a concealed drop light after stepping off an eight-foot ladder, sustaining an ankle injury. Nieves sued Five Boro under Labor Law § 240 (1), and Five Boro filed a third-party action against United, with the motion court initially granting Nieves summary judgment. However, the appellate court modified this order, denying summary judgment for all parties due to unresolved questions of fact surrounding the accident's cause, including conflicting testimonies. Consequently, the case requires a trial to determine liability and facts, as neither side was entitled to summary judgment.

Elevation-related riskTripping hazardSummary judgmentLabor Law § 240(1)Construction site accidentLadder fallContributory negligenceQuestions of factAppellate DivisionSubcontractor liability
References
11
Case No. ADJ761271 (SJO 0070447)
Regular
Sep 22, 2010

Dorothy Thompson vs. GENERAL MOTORS, Permissibly SelfInsured, Adjusted by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board has declared Dorothy Thompson a vexatious litigant. This declaration follows a notice issued on September 7, 2010, to which no response was received. As a result, any future filings by Ms. Thompson in propria persona will be considered "conditionally filed." Such filings will only be deemed properly filed after a judge or the Board determines they do not violate Rule 10782(a).

Vexatious LitigantPre-filing OrderWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardPropria PersonaRule 10782(a)Conditionally FiledPermissibly Self-InsuredSedgwick Claims Management ServicesNotice of IntentionPresiding Workers' Compensation Judge
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 14, 1978

Claim of Spasiano v. Empire City Iron Works

The claimant, a mechanic hired in 1974, suffered a low back injury at work in November 1974. He had a pre-existing medical condition, having undergone subtotal gastrectomy in 1965. The employer's insurance carrier filed a C-250 seeking reimbursement from the Special Fund, alleging a pre-existing permanent physical impairment. To claim reimbursement, it needed to be established that the employer hired or continued the claimant with knowledge of the impairment and a good faith belief in its permanency, and that the impairment materially and substantially increased the disability. Conflicting medical opinions were presented regarding whether the claimant's prior stomach condition materially and substantially increased his disability. The Workers' Compensation Board found, based on medical evidence including Dr. Lehv's report, that the prior stomach condition did not materially and substantially increase the disability. This finding, supported by substantial evidence, led to the affirmation of the Board's decision, discharging the Special Fund from liability.

Workers' Compensation BoardSpecial Fund LiabilityPre-existing ConditionSubtotal GastrectomyLow Back InjuryMaterially and Substantially Greater DisabilityMedical EvidenceReimbursementEmployabilityPermanency
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 22, 1999

Claim of Taylor v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.

A customer service representative with a history of multiple chemical sensitivity, asthma, rhino sinusitis, and irritable bowel filed two claims for workers' compensation benefits. Her conditions worsened after exposure to roof tar fumes in 1993 and insecticide (Dursban) fumes in 1995, eventually leading to her inability to work. The Workers’ Compensation Board determined she was permanently, totally disabled due to these exposures and awarded benefits. The employer and carrier appealed, arguing the conditions were diseases, not accidental injuries, and challenging the causation finding. The Court affirmed the Board's decision, citing precedents that exacerbation of preexisting conditions by workplace chemical fumes constitutes an accidental injury and finding substantial evidence in claimant's and a physician's testimony.

Chemical ExposureMultiple Chemical SensitivityAsthmaRhino SinusitisIrritable BowelPermanent Total DisabilityAccidental InjuryExacerbation of Preexisting ConditionWorkplace FumesCausation
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hayden v. Feldman

The court addresses plaintiffs' objections to a Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation concerning attorney fees and costs imposed as a condition for filing their Fourth Amended Complaint for securities fraud. The District Court adopts the Magistrate Judge's report, finding that the imposition of costs was a reasonable condition given plaintiffs' repeated failure to file a sufficient complaint and the resulting unnecessary motion practice by defendants. The court further rules that plaintiffs waived their right to object to the condition by electing to file the Fourth Amended Complaint and accepting its benefits without challenging the condition at the time. The decision affirms the Magistrate Judge's determination of the amount owed.

Leave to amendAttorney feesCostsSanctionsWaiverFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureMagistrate Judge ReportSecurities fraudMotion to dismissPrejudice
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

McGlone v. Contract Callers, Inc.

Plaintiff Michael McGlone initiated a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) action against Contract Callers, Inc. (CCI), Michael McGuire, and William Tim Wertz, alleging unpaid overtime for work performed before and after recorded workdays and during meal breaks. McGlone sought conditional certification for a nationwide collective action of Field Service Representatives (FSRs), asserting a common policy of wage violations, including uncompensated preparatory and concluding tasks, and automatic meal break deductions despite working through them. The court applied a two-step analysis for FLSA collective actions, focusing on the lenient "notice stage" standard. While the plaintiff claimed company-wide misconduct, his evidence for a nationwide class was deemed insufficient, relying primarily on "information and belief." Consequently, the court denied conditional certification for a nationwide class but granted it for FSRs employed in CCI's New York Division, where McGlone demonstrated direct personal knowledge of the alleged violations and supervisory directives. Additionally, the statute of limitations was equitably tolled as of the motion's filing date due to the court's processing time.

FLSACollective ActionConditional CertificationOvertime PayWage ViolationsMeal BreaksUncompensated WorkField Service RepresentativesEquitable TollingNew York Division
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 04, 1983

Claim of Palumbo v. Transport Masters International, Inc.

The Workers' Compensation Board initially denied a claim due to late filing and lack of advance compensation payment. A subsequently located disability benefits file was reviewed by the Board in the interest of justice. However, the Board found no evidence within this file to indicate a claim for compensation was filed as required by section 28 of the Workers' Compensation Law. The court affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing that only questions of fact were presented. The court concluded that the Board's factual findings were conclusive as they were supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Workers' Compensation BoardClaim Filing DeadlineDisability Benefits FileSubstantial EvidenceQuestions of FactAppellate ReviewTime LimitationAdvance PaymentSection 28Administrative Review
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Moore v. Eagle Sanitation, Inc.

Plaintiffs Kevin Moore and Roger Snyder filed a lawsuit against Eagle Sanitation Inc. and Michael Reali, seeking unpaid overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law. They moved for conditional certification as an FLSA collective action, production of contact information for potential class members from April 2005 to April 2011, and court authorization to circulate a Notice of Pendency. The court, presided over by Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson, granted the motion for conditional certification, finding that the plaintiffs met the lenient evidentiary standard required at this stage. Additionally, the court granted the request for defendants to produce contact information for a six-year period to account for state law claims, emphasizing judicial economy. The court also authorized the dissemination of the proposed notice, with minor modifications regarding the inclusion of defense counsel's contact details and clarification on potential costs and discovery obligations for opt-in plaintiffs.

FLSACollective ActionOvertime CompensationNew York Labor LawConditional CertificationNotice of PendencyStatute of LimitationsDiscovery of Class MembersWage and Hour DisputeEmployment Law
References
26
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Fonda v. Norton Co.

Claimant suffered serious injuries to his right leg, hip, and spine in February 1988, necessitating two laminectomies for a herniated disc. The employer and its insurer challenged the Workers’ Compensation Board's determination that the claimant's permanent disability resulted solely from his back injury, arguing that a preexisting dormant heart condition contributed. The court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence that the claimant's disability was not materially or substantially greater due to the heart condition. The Board's prerogative to resolve conflicting medical opinions was upheld. Furthermore, the court found the employer's argument regarding a contractually based reimbursement claim could not be raised for the first time on appeal, as it was not addressed administratively.

Workers' CompensationBack InjuryPreexisting ConditionHeart ConditionDisabilityLaminectomyCausationMedical EvidenceFactual DisputeAppellate Review
References
2
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