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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 27, 2018

Popat v. Levy

Plaintiff Saurin Popat, M.D., a doctor of African and Southeast Asian origin, filed a lawsuit alleging race and national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation under Title VII, § 1981, § 1983, and the NYSHRL, along with tortious interference claims. The defendants include Elad Levy, M.D., The State University of New York at Buffalo, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Kaleida Health, and University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Inc. The plaintiff alleges Dr. Levy, who held multiple positions across these entities, created a hostile work environment through racially charged comments and retaliated against him by terminating his faculty position after a discrimination complaint. The court addressed motions to dismiss filed by the defendants. It found that UBNS and Kaleida could be considered 'joint employers' or acting 'under color of state law' for Title VII and § 1983 purposes, respectively, and that Dr. Levy could be liable under the NYSHRL as an aider and abettor. However, the University and the Medical School were granted dismissal of all claims due to Eleventh Amendment immunity, and certain tortious interference claims against UBNS and Kaleida were also dismissed due to insufficient pleading of an actual breach or injury.

Employment DiscriminationRace & National Origin DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentRetaliationTitle VII ClaimsSection 1981 ClaimsSection 1983 ClaimsNew York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL)Tortious Interference with ContractTortious Interference with Business Relations
References
146
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 01, 1989

Murphy v. Blum

Donald Murphy, an NBA referee, underwent a physical examination by defendant Dr. Richard Blum and a stress test analyzed by Blum, which was found "abnormal." The results were communicated to the NBA and Murphy's personal physician. Following a a cardiac arrest that ended his career, Murphy sued Dr. Blum for medical malpractice. The Supreme Court, Nassau County, dismissed the complaint, ruling that no physician-patient relationship existed between Murphy and Dr. Blum because Blum was retained solely by the NBA for an examination, not for treatment. The Appellate Division affirmed the dismissal, upholding that a doctor engaged for examination purposes only assumes duties associated with those functions, not duties concerning treatment or expert opinions.

Medical MalpracticePhysician-Patient RelationshipDuty of CareComplaint DismissalCPLR 3211(a)(7)Appellate ReviewProfessional Sports InjuryPre-employment ExaminationNo Physician-Patient RelationshipAffirmation of Order
References
3
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 00963 [147 AD3d 823]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 08, 2017

Levy v. Baumgarten

Yehonatan Levy and his wife appealed a Supreme Court order that granted summary judgment to Levi Baumgarten, dismissing their personal injury complaint. The injury occurred when Levy, a worker on Baumgarten's home renovation, had a saw blade embed in his hand. Plaintiffs alleged violations of Labor Law §§ 200 and 241(6), but the Supreme Court applied the homeowner's exemption and found no supervision or control by Baumgarten. The Appellate Division affirmed, concluding that incidental commercial use of the home did not forfeit the homeowner's exemption and Baumgarten's actions did not constitute direction or control over the work. Consequently, the summary judgment dismissing the Labor Law claims was upheld.

Personal InjuryHomeowner's ExemptionLabor Law § 200Labor Law § 241(6)Summary JudgmentAppellate ReviewConstruction AccidentWorker InjuryDirection and ControlCommercial Use Incidental to Residence
References
7
Case No. ADJ1182220 (WCK 0044768) ADJ144318 (WCK 0044769)
Regular
Feb 27, 2009

RICHARD CRUZ vs. AMERICAN PROTECTIVE SERVICES INC., CAMBRIDGE INTEGRATED SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of an award to Richard Cruz. The Board adopted the findings of the Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) who found that the applicant sustained a specific industrial spinal injury on December 16, 1997, and a cumulative trauma spinal injury through January 28, 1998, while employed by American Protective Services. The WCJ found the applicant credible and relied on the opinions of two medical evaluators, Dr. Brose and Dr. Lavorgna, who ultimately supported the finding of industrial injuries. The Board gave great weight to the WCJ's credibility determination and incorporated the WCJ's report, denying the defendant's petition.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration DeniedWCJ ReportCredibility FindingIndustrial InjurySpecific InjuryCumulative TraumaSpine InjurySecurity GuardAgreed Medical Evaluator
References
1
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 00482 [179 AD3d 546]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 23, 2020

Matter of Maxine B. v. Richard C.

This case concerns an appeal by Richard C. against an order of protection issued in favor of his mother, Maxine B., by the Family Court of Bronx County. The order was based on a finding that Richard C. committed menacing in the third degree. Richard C. argued that Maxine B. had stated she did not want the order, but the Appellate Division noted that other evidence, including sworn testimony from a social worker and counsel's representations made outside Richard C.'s presence, indicated Maxine B.'s need for protection. The court affirmed the finding that Richard C. intentionally placed Maxine B. in fear of physical injury, resulting in a black eye, and upheld the Family Court's credibility assessments. Other arguments regarding evidence admission, right to counsel, and the social worker's authority were dismissed as unpreserved or without specific prejudice. The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the order of protection.

Order of ProtectionMenacing Third DegreeFamily Court ActAppellate DivisionCredibility AssessmentEvidence AdmissibilityRight to CounselFamily OffenseDomestic ViolenceAffirmation
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Tunison v. P. C. Richards & Son

This case involves an appeal from two decisions by the Workers’ Compensation Board concerning workers' compensation death benefits. The decedent, an employee of Outlaw Trucking Company, was fatally injured while delivering merchandise for P. C. Richards & Son. The Board found that the decedent was a special employee of P. C. Richards & Son and that his death arose out of and in the course of this special employment, making P. C. Richards & Son liable for death benefits. The court affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that there was substantial evidence to support the finding of a special employment relationship due to P. C. Richards & Son's control over the decedent's work, and that the death occurred in the course of employment as he was returning truck keys.

Workers' CompensationSpecial EmploymentDeath BenefitsEmployer LiabilityAppellate ReviewControl TestCourse of EmploymentInsurance CarrierTrucking IndustryWorkers' Compensation Board
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Richard H. v. Consilvio

Petitioner Richard H., diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, has a history of involuntary commitments and bank robberies. This appeal concerns the Commissioner of Mental Health's application for a retention order in a secure psychiatric facility. A lower court initially ordered his transfer to a nonsecure facility, crediting his testimony and an advisory jury opinion that he was not dangerous. The Appellate Division, upon review, found that the Commissioner had established Richard H. suffers from a "dangerous mental disorder." The court emphasized his history of dangerous behavior, noncompliance with medication, escapes from nonsecure facilities, and delusional beliefs. Therefore, the Supreme Court's order was modified, and Richard H. was ordered to be retained in a secure facility.

Paranoid SchizophreniaInvoluntary CommitmentInsanity AcquitteeDangerous Mental DisorderRetention OrderMental Hygiene LawCriminal Procedure LawMedication NoncomplianceBank RobberyDelusional Beliefs
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Sanctioning of Richard N.

This opinion addresses the appropriate sanction for juror Richard N. who intentionally abandoned a summary jury trial and misled the court about his whereabouts, falsely claiming a 'neurological emergency'. Presided over by Justice Martin E. Ritholtz in Queens County, the court initiated a special proceeding to penalize Richard N. for his misconduct. While civil or criminal contempt charges were considered, the court ultimately utilized its inherent powers to impose a less severe sanction. Richard N. confessed and apologized for his deceptive behavior. The court ordered him to pay a $250 fine and determined that his jury service would not be credited, leaving him eligible for future jury duty.

Juror MisconductContempt of CourtSpecial ProceedingJudicial SanctionInherent Powers of CourtJury Duty AbandonmentDeceptive ConductDue ProcessRight to CounselCivil Contempt
References
38
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 03865 [172 AD3d 1674]
Regular Panel Decision
May 16, 2019

Matter of Levy v. New York State Educ. Dept.

Petitioner Allen Steven Levy sought a New York license as a psychoanalyst, which was denied by the Education Department based on a lack of good moral character. This determination stemmed from Levy's two prior grand larceny convictions in 2003 and 2005, involving false billings as a social worker. The Hearing Panel and Committee on the Professions upheld the denial, citing a direct relationship between the convictions and the work of a psychoanalyst, and the unreasonable risk posed to public safety. Levy initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding to challenge this decision. The Appellate Division, Third Department, confirmed the Education Department's findings, concluding that the denial was supported by substantial evidence, including Levy's perceived lack of candor and insufficient efforts toward rehabilitation.

License DenialProfessional MisconductMoral CharacterPsychoanalyst LicensureGrand LarcenyFalse BillingCPLR Article 78Education Department DecisionAppellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

American Home Assurance Co. v. Levy

This is a declaratory judgment action brought by American Home Assurance Company, an insurer, against Richard Levy, an insured social worker, and Pamela Damian, a patient. American Home sought a declaration that its liability for claims of sexual misconduct against Levy would be limited to $25,000, as stipulated in Levy's professional liability policy, and that it could cease his defense after expending that amount. Damian, who had an underlying malpractice action against Levy, alleged negligence but not explicit sexual misconduct in her judicial complaint, though her NASW complaint did include such allegations. The court denied American Home's motion for summary judgment, concluding that while the sexual misconduct provision was unambiguous, enforceable, and did not violate public policy, the $25,000 sublimit could not be applied at that juncture because Damian had not yet formally alleged erotic physical contact in the judicial proceeding. The court indicated the sublimit would apply if such allegations were made in future pleadings or during trial.

Professional Liability InsuranceSocial Worker MalpracticeSexual Misconduct ExclusionDeclaratory JudgmentSummary Judgment MotionPublic PolicyContract InterpretationInsurance Coverage DisputeTransference PhenomenonProfessional Ethics
References
21
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