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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

Legal Aid Society v. Association of Legal Aid Attorneys

The Legal Aid Society sought a preliminary injunction against the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys and its officers to prevent the disciplining of striking union members who crossed picket lines. The plaintiff also claimed tortious interference and a civil rights conspiracy under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) on behalf of itself, non-striking attorneys, and indigent clients. The District Court denied the injunction, finding several impediments to success on the merits. These included the NLRB's primary jurisdiction, the Norris-LaGuardia Act's prohibitions, and the plaintiff's lack of standing for third-party claims. Furthermore, the court determined that the conspiracy allegations under Section 1985(3) were conclusory and lacked substantial merit.

Labor DisputePreliminary InjunctionUnion DisciplinePicket LinesNational Labor Relations Act (NLRA)Norris-LaGuardia ActStanding (Law)Conspiracy (Law)Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. § 1985(3))Tortious Interference
References
32
Case No. 04-20-00203-CV
Regular Panel Decision
May 26, 2021

Michael S. Goodlett, Jr., Through His Legal Guardian, Michael S. Goodlett, Sr. v. Northeast Independent School District

Michael S. Goodlett, Jr., a former special needs student with autism, was employed as a custodian by Northeast Independent School District (NEISD). He was terminated after an incident where he pushed a coworker, Maria Castillo, causing injury, and due to prior threats of violence against coworkers. Goodlett, through his legal guardian, appealed the trial court's order granting NEISD's plea to the jurisdiction and dismissing his claims for disability discrimination under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA). Goodlett alleged discriminatory discharge/disparate treatment and failure to accommodate his disability during the investigation. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding that Goodlett failed to establish a prima facie case for either claim, as he did not identify similarly situated comparator employees, nor did he request accommodation for his disability. The court concluded that NEISD terminated Goodlett due to his misconduct, not his disability, and thus governmental immunity was not waived.

Disability DiscriminationEmployment LawTexas Commission on Human Rights ActTCHRAPrima Facie CaseDiscriminatory DischargeDisparate TreatmentFailure to AccommodateGovernmental ImmunityPlea to the Jurisdiction
References
17
Case No. No. 28
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 21, 2022

The Matter of Mental Hygiene Legal Service v. Kerry Delaney

This case involves an appeal by Mental Hygiene Legal Service on behalf of a 16-year-old child with developmental disabilities who was confined to an emergency room for several weeks due to a lack of suitable residential placement or in-home services. Petitioner sought the child's immediate discharge and a declaration that the state's failure to provide community habilitation and respite services was arbitrary and violated her statutory rights under CPLR articles 70 and 78, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lower courts dismissed the petition, finding the matter moot but applying the exception. The Court of Appeals ultimately dismissed the appeal on grounds of mootness, citing intervening material alterations to service programs, specifically the Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD) program. A dissenting opinion argued for the application of the mootness exception and the viability of petitioner's claims under state and federal law.

Developmental DisabilitiesMedicaid ServicesEmergency Room ConfinementMootness ExceptionIntegration MandateMental Hygiene LawAmericans with Disabilities ActCrisis ServicesResidential PlacementNew York Court of Appeals
References
33
Case No. ADJ1237800 (AHM0151777)
Regular
Jan 22, 2016

KENNETH ROSENBERG vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT, Legally Uninsured, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES, Adjusting Agency

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify clerical errors in a previous award. The Board amended the award to reflect that the defendant, California Highway Patrol, is "legally uninsured" and affirmed the application of the "duty belt" presumption (Labor Code section 3213.2). The Board also affirmed the finding of $43\%$ permanent disability, temporary disability, and the denial of apportionment, finding that the defendant waived any due process claims regarding temporary disability by not objecting at trial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgePermissibly Self-InsuredLow Back InjuryLeft Shoulder Injury
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Donaldson v. Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services

David Donaldson appealed a trial court's summary judgment in favor of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) on claims of race and disability discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment under the TCHRA and Title VII. Donaldson, an African-American employee diagnosed with multiple conditions including prostate cancer and PTSD, alleged DADS failed to accommodate his disabilities and discriminated against him through various adverse actions, culminating in his termination. The appellate court affirmed the summary judgment for DADS on the race discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment claims, finding insufficient evidence of discriminatory intent or materially adverse actions in those areas. However, the court reversed and remanded the reasonable accommodation claim, concluding that Donaldson presented a fact issue regarding DADS's failure to provide continued assistance for his disabilities despite initial accommodations. This decision partially reverses the trial court's judgment, necessitating further proceedings on the reasonable accommodation aspect of the disability discrimination claim.

DiscriminationRetaliationHostile Work EnvironmentDisability DiscriminationRace DiscriminationReasonable AccommodationSummary JudgmentTexas Commission on Human Rights ActTitle VIIEmployment Law
References
83
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services v. Beltran

Rosa Maria Beltran filed a workers' compensation claim after sustaining job-related injuries while employed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Her employment was subsequently terminated on March 31, 2008, leading her to sue the Department for wrongful discharge, alleging retaliation for filing her claim under the Anti-Retaliation Law. The Department filed a plea to the jurisdiction, asserting sovereign immunity. The trial court denied this plea, and the Department appealed. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, ruling that the Legislature had clearly and unambiguously waived sovereign immunity for state agencies in retaliatory discharge claims under the Anti-Retaliation Law and the State Applications Act, consistent with established legal precedent.

Workers' CompensationRetaliationWrongful TerminationSovereign ImmunityWaiver of ImmunityStatutory InterpretationAppellate ReviewPlea to JurisdictionTexas Labor CodeGovernmental Immunity
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Savastano v. Sundram

Petitioner, Mental Health Legal Services, sought an order to restrain the Commission on Quality Care for the Mentally Disabled from operating surrogate decision-making panels with less than four members, as statutorily required by Mental Hygiene Law article 80. The Commission, responsible for a two-year experimental SDMC program aimed at expediting medical treatment decisions for mentally ill patients, had operated some panels with only three members, invoking the General Construction Law's quorum rule. Justice Sondra Miller found a clear legislative intent for four distinct panel members, rejecting the quorum rule's applicability to these adjudicative functions. The court granted the petition, enjoining the Commission from operating under-staffed panels and suggested legislative modification to address practical difficulties.

Mental Health LawSurrogate Decision-MakingPanel CompositionStatutory InterpretationQuorum RuleInjunctive ReliefMental Hygiene Law Article 80Administrative LawJudicial ReviewLegislative Intent
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mylette v. Mylette

The plaintiff moved to have the defendant's disability pension, from the New York City Police Pension Fund, classified as a marital asset subject to equitable distribution under Domestic Relations Law § 236 (B) (4) (b). The defendant, a former New York City police officer, received the disability pension after a line-of-duty knee injury, terminating his employment after 12 years, short of the 15 years required for vesting. The court reviewed legal precedents from various states and New York, which generally treat disability pensions as separate property, particularly when compensating for personal injuries rather than deferred compensation. The court found that the defendant's pension was purely compensation for his injury, distinguishing it from retirement benefits, and that he had no option to choose a regular retirement package. Therefore, the court denied the plaintiff's motion, ruling that the disability pension is the defendant's separate property.

Domestic Relations LawDisability PensionMarital PropertyEquitable DistributionSeparate PropertyPolice Pension FundPersonal Injury CompensationNonvested BenefitsFamily LawProperty Classification
References
31
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Baltsavias v. Caldor, Inc.

Claimant sustained work-related injuries in August 1975 and March 1977, leading to a permanent partial disability. The Workers’ Compensation Board apportioned the disability 25% to the 1975 case and 75% to the 1977 case, sustaining awards and an allowance for claimant’s former attorneys. The claimant appealed, arguing for permanent total disability and challenging legal fees. However, the court found these arguments outside the scope of the appeal, noting that prior decisions had established the nature and extent of disability and no timely appeal was taken. Reviewing the record, the court found substantial evidence to support the Board’s factual findings regarding carrier responsibility for medical bills and the average weekly wage. Consequently, the Board’s decision was affirmed.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityAppealBoard DecisionMedical BillsAverage Weekly WageCausally Related DisabilityTimelinessLegal FeesReopened Cases
References
0
Case No. 2015-07-0040
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 11, 2016

Choate, Jerry v. Revel Logging, LLC

Jerry Choate, a truck driver, sustained neck, back, and head injuries in an August 2014 work accident. He sought permanent partial disability, additional temporary total disability (TTD), and mileage reimbursement. The employer, Revel Logging, LLC, disputed these claims and requested reimbursement for a TTD overpayment. Medical evaluations indicated no permanent impairment and set the maximum medical improvement (MMI) date at December 9, 2014. The Court denied Mr. Choate's claims for permanent partial disability, additional TTD, and mileage reimbursement, concluding his injuries did not result in permanent disability and his legal residence was within the qualifying mileage for providers. However, the Court granted Mr. Choate future medical benefits and denied Revel's request for TTD overpayment reimbursement, citing employer oversight and potential hardship to Mr. Choate.

Workers' CompensationDisability BenefitsMedical BenefitsPermanent Partial DisabilityTemporary Total DisabilityMileage ReimbursementOverpayment ReimbursementPost-traumatic HeadachesMaximum Medical Improvement (MMI)Neurosurgeon Evaluation
References
9
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