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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
Apr 19, 2004

Claim of Provoncha v. Anytime Home Care, Inc.

A 17-year-old certified nurses aid, identified as the claimant, sustained a back injury while employed by Anytime Home Care, Inc. The Workers' Compensation Board initiated proceedings to determine if her employment violated the Labor Law, which would entitle her to double compensation under Workers’ Compensation Law § 14-a. Despite requests, the employer failed to produce the required employment certificate at two hearings and its requests for further adjournments or to present alternative testimony were denied. Both the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and the Board found the claimant was illegally employed due to the lack of an employment certificate. Consequently, the Board affirmed her entitlement to double compensation. The appellate court reviewed the employer's contentions and ultimately affirmed the Board's decision.

Workers' CompensationChild Labor LawIllegal EmploymentDouble CompensationEmployment CertificateAdministrative HearingAppellate ReviewEmployer ResponsibilityLabor Law ViolationWorkers' Compensation Board
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 07, 1984

Murtaugh v. Bankers Trust Co.

In November 1978, claimant Murtaugh filed a discrimination claim against Bankers Trust Company of Albany, N. A. following her 1977 dismissal, citing Workers’ Compensation Law § 241. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed a discrimination finding, which was subsequently upheld by the Appellate Division. An administrative law judge directed Murtaugh's reinstatement and awarded back wages from January 1, 1978, to October 19, 1982, with an offset for unemployment benefits. The Bank appealed this decision, contending the back pay award was unauthorized under Workers’ Compensation Law § 120, arguing Murtaugh failed to accept reemployment or mitigate damages. The court found substantial evidence that no bona fide reemployment offer was made and that the issue of mitigation of damages was not properly raised. Consequently, the court affirmed the Board's decision, upholding Murtaugh's entitlement to back pay.

Workers' Compensation LawDiscriminationBack Pay AwardReinstatementMitigation of DamagesUnemployment BenefitsOffer of ReemploymentAppellate DivisionNew York LawEmployer Liability
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Claim of Warnock

The claimant was terminated after an altercation with a co-worker, but eyewitnesses testified that no threats or physical contact occurred, and the co-worker was the one who became angry. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board ruled that the claimant was entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefits, finding that the actions did not constitute misconduct. The appellate court affirmed this decision, holding that the Board's conclusion was supported by substantial evidence and that displaying bad judgment does not automatically disqualify a claimant from benefits.

Unemployment benefitsMisconductSubstantial evidenceAltercationCo-worker disputeAppellate reviewAppeal Board decisionEmployee terminationBad judgmentNo physical contact
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Coyle v. Intermagnetics Corp.

The Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that an unnamed claimant, who suffered work-related back injuries in 1985 and 1989, was entitled to reduced earnings benefits after taking a lower-paying job. The employer, Intermagnetics Corporation, and its workers’ compensation insurance carrier appealed, arguing the reduction in earnings was due to personal reasons, not disability. The court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence that the claimant's permanent partial disability was a contributing factor to the wage reduction, despite conflicting evidence. The ruling highlighted that physical limitations from a permanent partial disability allow for an inference of causation for subsequent wage loss.

Permanent Partial DisabilityReduced EarningsBack InjuryChiropractic TreatmentCausal RelationshipSubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewWage LossEmployment ChangeMedical Testimony
References
4
Case No. WCB No. 6901 2052
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Sunukjian v. Price Chopper

Claimant was awarded workers' compensation benefits for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a shoulder injury in 2002, with a schedule loss of use award in 2004. In 2010, the schedule loss of use award was rescinded, and the claimant was classified with a permanent partial disability. The employer and its carrier sought credit for prior schedule loss of use payments. The Workers’ Compensation Board initially denied the credit but, upon reconsideration, ruled in favor of the employer. The claimant appealed this decision. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's determination, holding that the employer was entitled to the credit and had not waived this right.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UsePermanent Partial DisabilityEmployer ReimbursementCreditWaiverStipulationAppellate ReviewBoard DecisionCarpal Tunnel Syndrome
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 20, 2001

Claim of Derr v. VIP Structures

The claimant, who had a work-related permanent total disability, was convicted of assault in March 1999 and subsequently incarcerated. The Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that the claimant was not entitled to benefits during his incarceration after the conviction of a crime. The claimant appealed this decision, arguing for continued benefits due to his total disability and resulting lack of earning capacity, regardless of his incarceration status. The court affirmed the Board's decision, stating that the suspension of workers’ compensation benefits during incarceration after a criminal conviction is based on public policy, and this principle applies to both partial and total disabilities. The court concluded that suspending benefits in such circumstances does not conflict with the Workers’ Compensation Law's goals.

IncarcerationWorkers' Compensation BenefitsTotal DisabilityPublic PolicyAssault ConvictionBenefit SuspensionCriminal ConductAppellate ReviewDisability Benefits
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cruz v. City of New York Department of Children's Services

Claimant, injured in an automobile accident while working, received workers' compensation benefits and later settled a third-party action. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) and the Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that the self-insured employer was not entitled to offset the third-party settlement against a schedule loss of use (SLU) award, even for the portion initially designated as temporary total disability. The employer appealed, arguing the offset was permissible because the weekly award exceeded statutory thresholds for basic economic loss. However, the court affirmed the Board's decision, clarifying that a schedule loss of use award is not allocable to any specific period of disability and thus is not subject to offset under Workers’ Compensation Law § 29 against first-party benefits, regardless of initial labeling or monthly rate.

Schedule Loss of Use Award OffsetThird-Party SettlementTemporary Total DisabilityPermanent Partial DisabilityBasic Economic LossNo-Fault LawInsurance LawStatutory InterpretationWorkers' Compensation Law § 29Appellate Division
References
6
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 03444
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 18, 2020

Schoch v. Lake Champlain OB-GYN, P.C.

Kim E. Schoch, a certified nurse midwife, was employed by Lake Champlain OB-GYN, P.C. and covered by a professional liability insurance policy from Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC), with the employer paying all premiums. Following MLMIC's conversion to a stock insurance company, a cash consideration was to be distributed to eligible policyholders. Schoch, as the named insured, was deemed the policyholder, but Lake Champlain OB-GYN objected, claiming entitlement due to its premium payments, a claim upheld by the Supreme Court based on unjust enrichment. The Appellate Division reversed, ruling that Schoch, as the policyholder, was legally entitled to the consideration per statute and MLMIC's conversion plan. The court found that the demutualization proceeds were an unexpected windfall not explicitly covered by the employment agreement, and that Lake Champlain OB-GYN's unjust enrichment claim failed because Schoch's entitlement was based on law, not mistake or fraudulent conduct. Consequently, Schoch was declared solely entitled to the $74,747.03 cash consideration.

DemutualizationInsurance PolicyPolicyholder RightsUnjust EnrichmentProfessional LiabilityEmployment BenefitsAppellate DivisionContractual InterpretationCash ConsiderationMutual to Stock Conversion
References
16
Case No. ADJ3394569 (OAK 0341726) ADJ1459791 (OAK 0314647)
Regular
Nov 01, 2018

Wallace Garietz vs. Vertis Communications, ACE American Insurance Company

This case involves a dispute over the commencement date for permanent total disability (PTD) payments. The defendant seeks to change the PTD start date from December 14, 2006, to June 18, 2015, arguing entitlement to PTD only occurred in 2015. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the original finding that applicant was entitled to PTD payments commencing in 2006. This decision aligns with established precedent that PTD benefits, including cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), begin when the applicant first becomes entitled to those benefits, which in this case was their original permanent and stationary date in 2006.

Permanent Total DisabilityCommencement DateTemporary Total DisabilityPermanent Partial DisabilityMaximum Medical ImprovementCost of Living AdjustmentCOLABaker v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Permanent and Stationary DateBrower v. David Jones Construction
References
4
Case No. ADJ8217072
Regular
Nov 06, 2013

SANDRA MILLER vs. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, KEENAN \& ASSOCIATES

The applicant, Sandra Miller, sought temporary disability benefits following a bus accident. The defendants contested her entitlement, arguing insufficient medical evidence of disability and lack of lost wages. The Appeals Board modified the original award, finding that based on her primary treating physician's reports, Miller was entitled to temporary disability indemnity benefits only from March 26, 2012, to June 20, 2012. The Board rejected entitlement for earlier periods due to a lack of substantial medical evidence supporting disability claims prior to Dr. Barri's reports. The case was returned to the trial level with this amended finding.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationTemporary Disability IndemnityPrimary Treating PhysicianMedical OpinionSubstantial EvidenceLost WagesSummer MonthsRetirementMotor Vehicle Accident
References
0
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