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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

What Happened in Felix vs. Weber Metals Reconsideration?

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. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

How Did the WCAB Rule in Hardgrove vs. Intercon Security?

The Washington Legal Foundation, along with a Texas attorney and a legal services consumer, challenged the mandatory Texas Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program, alleging violations of their First and Fifth Amendment rights. They claimed the program constituted a taking of property without just compensation and compelled financial support for objectionable organizations. The Defendants, including the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation and Supreme Court Justices, sought summary judgment, arguing the IOLTA program did not infringe on constitutional rights and served a legitimate state interest in providing legal services to the indigent. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of the Defendants, concluding that no cognizable property interest in the IOLTA-generated interest existed and no First Amendment violations occurred. Consequently, all plaintiffs' claims were dismissed with prejudice.

Fifth AmendmentFirst AmendmentIOLTA ProgramTaking ClauseFreedom of SpeechFreedom of AssociationSummary JudgmentTexasState BarLegal Services
References
51
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Did the WCAB Decide in Cuadra vs. Community Home Care?

Plaintiff, an attorney formerly employed by The Legal Aid Society, initiated this action seeking wage step increases. The case was initially removed to federal court under Section 301 of the National Labor Relations Act, based on an alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement. However, through subsequent proceedings and clarifications by plaintiff's counsel, it became evident that the claim was predicated solely on an alleged independent oral promise made by the Society to individual attorneys, rather than a contract between an employer and a labor organization. The court concluded that Section 301 jurisdiction only applies to violations of agreements between an employer and a labor organization, and thus, it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the individual oral contract claim. Consequently, the action was dismissed.

Labour LawSubject Matter JurisdictionCollective Bargaining AgreementOral ContractWage DisputesDistrict CourtEmployment LawNational Labor Relations ActFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureMotion to Dismiss
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

How Were Death Benefits Handled in Bocanegra vs. Sun-Gro Commodities?

The Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), represented by its director Bruce Dix, petitioned the court to compel Thomas Maul, Commissioner of OMRDD, and Joseph Colarusso, Director of Sunmount DDSO, to provide access to investigative files regarding an incident involving resident Lynnette T. MHLS argued its statutory mandate under Mental Hygiene Law § 47.03 required access to safeguard residents from abuse. Respondents contended the records were protected from disclosure under Education Law § 6527 (3) and Mental Hygiene Law § 29.29, which prioritize confidentiality for quality assurance and incident investigations. The court, however, distinguished between CPLR Article 31 discovery and MHLS's specific statutory right of access. The court ruled that the statutes cited by the respondents did not prohibit disclosure to MHLS, granting MHLS access to the requested investigative reports and underlying documentation, with the stipulation that MHLS maintain their confidentiality.

Mental Hygiene LawAccess to RecordsCPLR Article 78Investigative FilesPatient RightsConfidentialityAbuse and MistreatmentState FacilitiesOMRDDSunmount DDSO
References
1
Case No. 09-04-526 CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 27, 2005

Can a WCJ Be Disqualified for Appearance of Bias?

Amy Maida sued RLS Legal Solutions, L.L.C. and Yandell Rogers III for various claims related to her employment, which included an arbitration provision. RLS filed a petition for writ of mandamus after the trial court denied their motion to compel arbitration, following a previous mandamus proceeding. Maida argued economic duress, alleging RLS withheld her pay until she signed the arbitration agreement. The Court of Appeals reviewed whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion to compel arbitration, specifically considering if the economic duress defense related to the arbitration provision itself. The court found sufficient evidence to support the trial court's finding that the arbitration agreement was procured by wrongfully withholding Maida's pay, thereby defeating her free agency, and consequently denied the petition for writ of mandamus.

MandamusArbitration AgreementEconomic DuressMotion to Compel ArbitrationEmployment DisputeWrit of MandamusFederal Arbitration ActContract EnforcementTexas Court of AppealsSufficiency of Evidence
References
12
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 00229
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2022

What Were the Key Rulings in Torrez vs. SuperShuttle?

The case concerns an appeal by Legal Interpreting Services, Inc. (LIS) from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board had ruled that Louiza Patsis, a linguist working for LIS, was an employee and that LIS was liable for unemployment insurance contributions. LIS contended that Patsis was an independent contractor and challenged the Board's adherence to Department of Labor guidelines. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence supported the finding of an employment relationship. The court noted the control LIS exercised over its linguists through a written agreement and job assignments, and found no inconsistency with the Department of Labor guidelines.

unemployment insuranceemployment relationshipindependent contractorappellate divisionlabor lawunemployment benefitsstatutory interpretationsubstantial evidenceadministrative reviewlegal interpreting
References
7
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 00228 [201 AD3d 1164]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2022

Why Was Removal Denied in Rush vs. California Correctional Institution?

This case concerns an appeal by Legal Interpreting Services, Inc. (LIS) from decisions by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board determined that Fausto Debora, a linguist, was an employee of LIS and that LIS was liable for unemployment insurance contributions. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's finding, concluding that substantial evidence supported the existence of an employment relationship. The court noted that LIS exercised sufficient control over its linguists by screening qualifications, negotiating pay, and assigning jobs, despite some flexibility offered to the linguists. The decision also dismissed LIS's argument regarding Department of Labor guidelines, stating no inconsistency was found with established common-law tests for employment.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployment RelationshipIndependent ContractorAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceLinguist ServicesControl TestDepartment of Labor GuidelinesEmployer LiabilityStatutory Interpretation
References
10
Case No. 08-20-00153-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 12, 2022

What Did the WCAB Clarify in Ontiveros vs. Savers Stores?

Appellants Empower Texans, Inc. and Michael Quinn Sullivan appealed a trial court's summary judgment regarding their counterclaim against the Texas Ethics Commission. They sought a declaratory judgment that Texas Government Code sections 571.061, .172, and .173 violate the Texas Constitution's Separation of Powers Clause, contending the Commission is a legislative body improperly exercising executive powers. The trial court affirmed the constitutionality of the statutes, ruling the Commission is an executive agency with constitutionally granted legislative powers. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, concluding that neither the placement of the Commission's enabling provision in Article III nor its hybrid appointment procedure conclusively establishes it as a legislative body. Consequently, the appellate court found no violation of the Separation of Powers Clause.

Separation of PowersTexas ConstitutionEthics CommissionGovernment CodeJudicial ReviewState AgenciesExecutive BranchLegislative BranchSummary JudgmentDeclaratory Judgment
References
19
Case No. No. 28
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 21, 2022

Why Was Reconsideration Denied in Gomez vs. Dorothy Stevens?

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. 2022 NY Slip Op 03553 [207 AD3d 117]
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 02, 2022

Why Was Reconsideration Dismissed in Sabino vs. Johnson Pump Company?

Katherine C. Sullivan and Kat Sullivan LLC challenged the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) regarding the application of the Lobbying Act to their advocacy efforts for the Child Victims Act. Plaintiffs asserted the Act was unconstitutional on its face due to First Amendment violations, vagueness, and overbreadth, and also challenged its constitutionality as applied to their activities, alongside the validity of JCOPE's regulations. The Appellate Division affirmed the dismissal of the facial challenges to the Lobbying Act, declaring it constitutional, and also upheld the dismissal of the challenge to JCOPE's regulations. However, the court reversed the Supreme Court's dismissal of the 'as-applied' challenges, concluding that a justiciable and ripe controversy existed. This allows for judicial review of JCOPE's interpretation and enforcement against plaintiffs' past and threatened future advocacy.

Lobbying ActFirst AmendmentFreedom of SpeechOverbreadth DoctrineVagueness DoctrineJusticiabilityRipenessDeclaratory JudgmentAppellate ReviewChild Victims Act
References
77
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