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

Case No. LAO 0689496
Regular
Jul 18, 2007

FLORENCIO ALVARADO vs. FISCH-HORWITZ 12TH STREET PROJECT, FISCH PROPERTIES, FISCH LIVING TRUST, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, TIG INSURANCE COMPANY, ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reconsidered a prior decision and affirmed the finding that the applicant was employed by Fisch Properties, insured by TIG Insurance Company, at the time of his injury. The WCAB reversed the prior ruling that barred SCIF from seeking contribution from TIG based on the doctrine of laches, finding no prejudice demonstrated by TIG. Consequently, SCIF is entitled to contribution from TIG.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFisch-HorwitzFisch PropertiesState Compensation Insurance FundTIG Insurance CompanyAllstate Insurance CompanyReconsiderationDoctrine of LachesContributionCompromise and Release
References
9
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. 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

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. 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

Logan Bus Co. v. Discover Property & Casualty Insurance

The plaintiff, Logan Bus Company, Inc., initiated a declaratory judgment action against Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company to establish Discover's obligation to defend and indemnify Logan in an underlying lawsuit. The underlying action involved a sexual assault perpetrated by a student on another student on a bus owned by Logan, allegedly due to inadequate supervision. Logan appealed two orders from the Supreme Court, Queens County: one denying its motion for summary judgment for coverage and another granting Discover's motion to declare no obligation and dismiss the complaint. The appellate court affirmed both lower court orders, concluding that the "abuse or molestation" endorsement in Logan's insurance policy with Discover explicitly limited coverage to acts committed by "employees" or "volunteer workers." Since the alleged incident was perpetrated by a student, Logan failed to demonstrate a prima facie entitlement to coverage, leading to the affirmation of Discover's non-obligation to defend or indemnify.

Declaratory JudgmentInsurance Policy InterpretationCoverage DisputeAbuse or Molestation EndorsementDuty to DefendDuty to IndemnifySummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewAutomobile InsuranceStudent Assault
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Misirlakis v. East Coast Entertainment Properties, Inc.

The plaintiff, George Misirlakis, was injured while attempting to re-enter a building via a fire escape from a dumpster after forgetting his keys, resulting in a fall when a rung collapsed. He and his wife, Vasilia Misirlakis, initiated a lawsuit against East Coast Entertainment Properties, Inc. (building owner) and Mast Enterprises, Inc. (lessee), asserting claims under Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241 (6), along with common-law negligence. The Supreme Court granted the defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment, dismissing the complaint, and denied the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on liability. The appellate court affirmed this decision, concluding that the plaintiff's "unnecessary and unforeseeable act of climbing onto the dumpster and ascending the fire escape" constituted the sole and superseding proximate cause of his injuries, thereby absolving the defendants of liability.

Fire Escape AccidentDemolition Work InjuryLabor Law Section 200Labor Law Section 240Labor Law Section 241(6)Common-Law NegligenceSummary JudgmentProximate CauseSuperseding CauseUnforeseeable Act
References
2
Case No. 131 AD3d 553
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 19, 2015

Assevero v. Hamilton & Church Properties, LLC

Hugo Assevero was injured falling from an unsecured ladder while working on a building renovation project owned by Hamilton & Church Properties, LLC. He commenced an action alleging violations of Labor Law sections, and Hamilton initiated a third-party action against Castle Construction Group. The Supreme Court initially granted Hamilton's cross-motion for summary judgment, dismissing the Labor Law claims based on the homeowner's exemption. On appeal, the Appellate Division modified the Supreme Court's order, ruling that the building did not qualify for the homeowner's exemption due to its mixed commercial and multi-residential use. Consequently, Hamilton's cross-motion for summary judgment on Labor Law §§ 240 (1) and 241 (6) was denied. The Appellate Division affirmed the denial of Assevero's motion for summary judgment on Labor Law § 240 (1) and Castle's cross-motion for summary judgment on indemnification claims.

Labor LawHomeowner's ExemptionSummary Judgment MotionLadder FallConstruction AccidentPersonal Injury ClaimCorporate Property OwnershipContractual IndemnificationCommon-Law IndemnificationThird-Party Litigation
References
25
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