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

Case No. 03-cv-4134
Regular Panel Decision

Infantolino v. Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry

Anthony Infantolino sued the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry (JIB) and Thomas Bush, alleging unlawful retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York State/City laws. JIB moved for summary judgment, arguing procedural defects and substantive failures, including that it was not Infantolino's employer. The court found JIB to be a 'joint labor-management committee' and thus a 'covered entity' under the ADA, refuting the employer argument. The court denied summary judgment regarding the retaliation claims, finding genuine issues of fact as to whether JIB's stated reasons for its actions were pretexts for impermissible retaliation. However, the motion for summary judgment was granted in part, denying punitive and compensatory damages for the ADA retaliation claim and punitive damages for the New York State Human Rights Law claim, but allowing punitive damages for the New York City Human Rights Law claim.

ADA RetaliationDisability DiscriminationSummary JudgmentBurden-Shifting FrameworkCausal ConnectionPretextPunitive DamagesCompensatory DamagesNew York City Human Rights LawNew York State Human Rights Law
References
36
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Brady v. Northeast Riggers & Erectors

In March 2012, the claimant, a union construction laborer, sustained a work-related back and abdomen injury. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially found the claimant attached to the labor market but deemed a total industrial disability finding premature because permanent disability had not yet been classified. The Workers’ Compensation Board upheld this determination. The claimant appealed, arguing the Board erred in declining to classify him with a temporary total industrial disability. The Court affirmed the Board's decision, asserting that a classification of temporary total industrial disability cannot be made without a prior determination of permanency.

Workers' CompensationIndustrial DisabilityPermanent DisabilityTemporary DisabilityLabor MarketAppellate DivisionBoard DecisionPremature DeterminationGainful EmploymentWork History
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Yanarella v. IBM Corp.

Claimant, a computer programmer, alleged total industrial disability due to multiple chemical sensitivities incurred during her work in a manufacturing environment. The Workers’ Compensation Board's medical examiner and an independent rehabilitation report both concluded she was only permanently partially disabled and remained reasonably employable. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge classified her as permanently partially disabled, a finding which the Board affirmed. The claimant appealed this decision, raising procedural arguments regarding denied cross-examination and hearings, but the court found these issues were waived or lacked merit as they were not properly raised or requested. Ultimately, the court affirmed the Board's decision, citing substantial medical evidence supporting the conclusion that the claimant was not totally industrially disabled.

chemical sensitivitiesindustrial disabilitycomputer programmerpermanent partial disabilitymedical evidencecross-examination waiverappellate reviewWorkers' Compensation Boardvocational assessmentdue process
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 16, 1987

Claim of Moore v. RPM Industries, Inc.

A claimant, employed by RPM Industries, Inc. in Cayuga County since 1979, developed occupational asthma due to exposure to liquid acetone fumes in a poorly ventilated workroom. Her symptoms worsened over three years, culminating in a severe attack on April 12, 1984, forcing her to leave work. A lung specialist, Dr. David Davin, diagnosed her condition as asthma caused by occupational exposure. Claimant filed for workers' compensation benefits, and though RPM Industries did not contest causation, they argued for partial disability. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and subsequently the Workers’ Compensation Board found claimant totally disabled, a decision affirmed on appeal. The court found substantial evidence, including medical expert opinions from Dr. Davin and RPM's expert Dr. Ronald Miller, supported the total disability finding, despite some doctors indicating limited capacity, as claimant's condition prevented her from finding suitable employment.

Occupational AsthmaAcetone ExposureTotal DisabilityWorkers' Compensation BenefitsEmployer AppealMedical Expert TestimonyRespiratory IllnessWorkplace FumesCausal ConnectionDisability Benefits
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rudolph v. Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry

Plaintiff Paul Rudolph sought relief against the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry (JIB) and the Pension Fund under ERISA for the denial of his disability pension. Rudolph, who suffered from coronary artery disease, diabetes, and hypertension, was terminated from JIB in 1998 due to his inability to perform work functions. The Pension Committee denied his application and subsequent appeal for disability benefits, concluding that he was not permanently incapacitated to the extent he could no longer secure gainful employment in the Electrical Industry or any other line of business. The court reviewed the Pension Committee's decision under the arbitrary and capricious standard, finding it was reasonable and supported by medical evidence. Ultimately, the defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted, affirming the denial of benefits.

ERISADisability PensionSummary JudgmentArbitrary and Capricious StandardDe Novo ReviewFiduciary DutyEmployee BenefitsPlan AdministrationMedical EvidencePension Committee
References
34
Case No. ADJ9397951 ADJ9397963
Regular
Feb 08, 2016

MARY RIVAS vs. STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, THE HARTFORD

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration to modify a prior decision. The Board affirmed that temporary disability benefits were appropriately awarded by the WCJ for applicant's upper extremity, neck, and psyche injuries sustained across two employment periods. The Board corrected the WCJ's finding on attorney fees, clarifying they are payable from currently due temporary disability benefits, not from prior industrial disability leave or EDD payments. Finally, the Board confirmed its jurisdiction to award temporary disability benefits despite the defendant's argument of exclusive jurisdiction for industrial disability leave.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactIndustrial InjuryUpper ExtremitiesNeckPsycheTemporary DisabilityProvisional RateIndustrial Disability Leave (IDL)
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Kowalchyk v. Wade Lupe Construction Co.

The claimant, a carpenter over 60 with an 11th-grade education, fractured his back and wrist in August 1985 while on a construction jobsite. Initially, his physician, Dr. James Slavin, considered him totally disabled, and he received total disability benefits from his employer's carrier. However, in December 1985, the employer reduced benefits to a partial disability rate, relying on a report from their consultant, Dr. Edward Pasquarella. The claimant subsequently filed for compensation, leading to a determination by the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and ultimately the Workers’ Compensation Board that he had a total industrial disability. The employer appealed this decision, arguing it lacked substantial evidence. The court affirmed the Board's decision, considering the claimant’s physical limitations, age, work experience, and limited education, concluding he had no marketable skills outside carpentry.

Workers' CompensationTotal Industrial DisabilityPartial DisabilityMedical Testimony ConflictEarning Capacity AssessmentAppellate ReviewVocational RehabilitationAge & Education FactorsCarpenter InjuryScaffold Accident
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Foulton v. Martec Industries

The claimant, a laborer for Martec Industries, sought workers' compensation benefits for a back injury allegedly sustained on June 7, 2006. Martec and its workers' compensation carrier controverted the claim, citing the claimant's history of prior back injuries in 1998 and 2000. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially awarded benefits, concluding the June 7, 2006 incident constituted an accidental work-related aggravation of prior injuries, a decision affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board. On appeal, the court reversed the Board's decision, finding insufficient evidence that the June 7, 2006 incident caused a new disability. Evidence showed the claimant had experienced chronic back pain since 1998, and physicians attributed his disability primarily to preexisting conditions. The matter was remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationBack InjuryAggravationPreexisting ConditionMedical EvidenceDisability BenefitsAppellate ReviewReversalRemittalEmployer Liability
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Paez v. Lackman Culinary Services

Claimant, an immigrant, injured his lower back while working as a food service worker in 2010. His workers' compensation claim was established, leading to surgery in 2012 for a herniated disc. Despite surgery, he continued to experience pain and was unable to return to his job. A WCLJ determined he had a permanent partial disability and an 80% loss of wage-earning capacity, which was affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board. Claimant appealed, arguing the Board failed to consider total industrial disability, an issue he had raised before the WCLJ. The appellate court found that the Board did err by not addressing the total industrial disability claim and remitted the matter for further proceedings, as total industrial disability can have a more favorable outcome than loss of wage-earning capacity.

Permanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning CapacityTotal Industrial DisabilityLumbar DiscectomyLaminectomyMedical ExaminationRemittalAppellate ReviewBack InjuryFood Service Worker
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Price v. KGM Plastic Industries

Claimant, a sales president for Caprice and KGM Plastic Industries, experienced severe emotional distress due to ongoing conflicts with his superior, Toshimasa Asai, regarding business decisions and job security. This culminated in a heated argument on January 6, 1983, after which the claimant became ill, developed nosebleeds, and suffered a stroke on January 11, 1983, leading to permanent disability. His physician testified that the stroke was causally related to job-induced emotional stress exacerbating pre-existing hypertension. The Workers' Compensation Board found a causally related disability, and this decision was affirmed on appeal, supported by substantial medical evidence despite controverting opinions.

Work-related disabilityEmotional distressCerebral vascular accidentStrokeHypertension exacerbationCausationWorkers' Compensation LawAppellate reviewSubstantial evidenceEmployer-employee conflict
References
3
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