Mylroie v. GAF Corp.
Plaintiff, a former chemical technician and production chemist for GAF Corporation, developed urinary tract problems and was eventually terminated due to chemical exposure. She subsequently filed for workers' compensation benefits and initiated a lawsuit against GAF, alleging fraud, intentional tort, and negligence, seeking damages for future bladder cancer. The Supreme Court at Special Term denied GAF's motion to dismiss the complaint. On appeal, the court determined that the plaintiff's injury constituted an occupational disease under the Workers' Compensation Law, thus precluding a common-law personal injury action. Furthermore, the court found the complaint lacked sufficient allegations of intentional harm by the employer to bypass the Workers' Compensation Law's exclusivity. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the lower court's order and granted GAF's motion to dismiss the complaint.