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

Case No. ADJ2678977 (VNO 0516619) ADJ2789939 (VNO 0516618)
Regular
Jul 26, 2017

THOMAS BELLISSIMO vs. CAST & CREW ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, INC., ZURICH NORTH AMERICA, ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS, AIG

This case involves two insurers, Zurich and AIG, disputing liability for a worker's cumulative trauma injury. The Arbitrator initially set the liability period as July 4, 2004, to July 3, 2005, and apportioned fault based on days worked. Both insurers sought reconsideration, with AIG challenging the date of injury and allocation method, and Zurich arguing for apportionment based on exposure arduousness. The Board affirmed the Arbitrator's pro rata allocation based on days worked, but amended the liability period to June 28, 2004, to June 28, 2005, based on the last date of injurious exposure.

Labor Code section 5500.5cumulative trauma injuryliability periodapportionmentpro ratadate of injuryLabor Code section 5412disabilityinjurious exposuresuccessive employers
References
4
Case No. ADJ7796275
Regular
Sep 01, 2015

MORTEN ANDERSEN vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed California's subject matter jurisdiction over Morten Andersen's cumulative injury claim as a professional athlete, due to sufficient work performed in the state. However, the WCAB rescinded the prior finding that liability related back to the New Orleans Saints, Andersen's first employer. This was because Labor Code section 5500.5 mandates liability be allocated to employers during the year preceding the last date of injurious exposure, and the Saints did not employ Andersen during that period. The case was returned to the trial level to join subsequent employers and properly allocate liability under section 5500.5.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSubject Matter JurisdictionIndustrial InjuryProfessional AthleteCumulative InjuryRelation Back DoctrineLabor Code Section 5500.5EmployersLiability AllocationInjurious Exposure
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gallin v. Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Plaintiff moved to set aside a jury verdict in an asbestos-related wrongful death and product liability case against Owens-Illinois, Inc., the sole remaining defendant after five others had settled. The jury had allocated percentages of liability to Owens-Illinois and the settling co-defendants, Eagle-Picher and Keene Corporation. Plaintiff argued that the jury's allocation of liability to the settling defendants was unwarranted by the evidence. The court, applying a strict standard for overturning jury verdicts, reviewed the trial record and found sufficient evidence to support the jury's findings regarding exposure to the settling co-defendants' asbestos products. Consequently, the court denied the plaintiff's motion to set aside the verdict.

Asbestos ExposureWrongful Death ClaimProduct LiabilityJury Verdict ChallengePost-Trial MotionsNew York General Obligations LawComparative FaultRule 50(b)Settling DefendantsApportionment of Liability
References
10
Case No. 87 CV 0450
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 26, 1990

In Re Joint Southern & Eastern Dist. Asbestos Lit.

Plaintiff Anna Gallin moved to set aside a jury verdict in an asbestos litigation case against defendant Owens-Illinois, Inc. The motion followed a trial where the jury allocated percentages of liability among the remaining defendant and several settling co-defendants, including Eagle-Picher and Keene Corporation, for wrongful death and product liability claims. Plaintiff challenged these allocations, arguing a lack of sufficient evidence under New York law. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, presided over by Judge McLaughlin, reviewed the evidence and, applying a strict standard for disturbing jury verdicts, found enough support for the jury's findings regarding the liability percentages. Consequently, the court denied the plaintiff's motion to set aside the verdict.

Asbestos LitigationJury VerdictJudgment Notwithstanding VerdictNew York General Obligations LawLiability AllocationSettling Co-defendantsWrongful Death ClaimProduct LiabilityComparative FaultEvidence Sufficiency
References
20
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Loblaw, Inc. v. Employers' Liability Assurance Corp.

Loblaw, Inc., a self-insured retail chain, sued its excess insurer, Employers’ Liability Assurance Corporation, for reimbursement under a workers’ compensation policy. The dispute centered on whether Loblaw timely notified Employers’ of an employee's escalating injury claim. Loblaw initially believed the claim would not exceed its $25,000 self-retention, delaying notice until June 1972, despite warnings from its agent and mounting costs. The Supreme Court, Erie County, initially sided with Loblaw, but the Appellate Division reversed, ruling Loblaw had an ongoing obligation to notify the insurer and was derelict by May 1969. This court affirmed the Appellate Division's dismissal of Loblaw's complaint, holding that the notice given in June 1972 was too late as a matter of law, given the claim had exceeded $21,000 by December 1970.

Insurance policy interpretationWorkers' compensationExcess insuranceNotice provisionSelf-insurerTimely noticeAppellate reviewContract constructionObjective standardSubjective judgment
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Fuentes v. New York City Housing Authority

This case concerns an appeal by the Special Fund for Reopened Cases from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision dated November 15, 2006. The Board had transferred liability for a claimant's 1998 work-related back injury to the Special Fund, pursuant to Workers’ Compensation Law § 25-a. The Special Fund argued that certain payments made to the claimant in late 2005, between November 30 and December 17, were advance payments of compensation, which would preclude the transfer of liability. However, the Board found that these payments were charged to the claimant's accumulated sick leave and did not constitute advance payments of compensation. The court affirmed the Board's finding, concluding that the sick leave payments did not prevent the transfer of liability to the Special Fund because they were not made voluntarily in recognition of employer liability, and thus, the criteria for transferring liability to the Special Fund were met.

Special Fund for Reopened CasesWorkers' Compensation Law Section 25-aAdvance Payments of CompensationSick Leave PlanLiability TransferStale ClaimApplication to Reopen ClaimWork-Related InjuryBack InjuryTreating Physician Report
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States Liability Ins. v. Mountain Valley Indemnity Co.

This diversity action involves an insurance dispute between plaintiffs United States Liability Insurance Co. (U.S. Liability) and Mobile Air Transport, Inc., and defendant Mountain Valley Indemnity Co. The conflict arose from a fatal truck accident involving a Mobile Air employee driving a truck leased from Leroy Holding Company, Inc. After an underlying personal injury action settled, U.S. Liability and Mountain Valley each paid $225,000 towards the remaining $450,000 portion of the settlement. The core disagreement is whether the Truck Lease Agreement, which designates Mobile Air's insurance as primary, or the specific 'other insurance' clauses within U.S. Liability's and Mountain Valley's respective policies, which would make Mountain Valley's coverage primary, should govern. Applying New York law, the court ruled that the insurance policy provisions take precedence over the lease agreement. Consequently, U.S. Liability's motion for summary judgment was granted, and Mountain Valley's cross-motion was denied, holding Mountain Valley liable for the entire $450,000 in dispute.

Insurance DisputePrimary vs Excess CoverageTruck Lease AgreementInsurance Policy InterpretationSummary JudgmentNew York LawDiversity JurisdictionIndemnificationSubrogationAutomobile Accident
References
5
Case No. ADJ391084 (GOL 0102020) ADJ1292455 (GOL 0100312)
Regular
May 26, 2015

MICHAEL LOPEZ vs. ED & TED'S EXCELLENT LIGHTING, FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, REDWOOD FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANIES

This case involves two workers' compensation claims for applicant Michael Lopez against Ed & Ted's Excellent Lighting, insured by Redwood Fire & Casualty and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. The Arbitrator found industrial injuries to Lopez's back and extremities and allocated partial liability to both insurers for the second injury period. Both insurers sought reconsideration, alleging clerical errors and disputes over liability allocation. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to correct these clerical errors. The Board rescinded the original decision and returned the case to the Arbitrator for further proceedings and a new decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderArbitratorIndustrial InjuryLumbar BackUpper ExtremitiesHerniaCumulative TraumaInsurance Company
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hull-Hazard, Inc. v. Roberts

Justice Levine dissents from the majority's decision, which annulled the respondent's determination that held Hull Corporation jointly liable with Hull-Hazard, Inc., for violations of Labor Law § 220. Levine argues for a liberal construction of Labor Law § 220, citing its remedial and protective purposes for workers' rights. He emphasizes the extensively interlocking relationship between Hull Corporation and Hull-Hazard, Inc., highlighting shared ownership, officers, managerial staff, and employee benefit plans. According to Levine, Hull Corporation, as a successor employer, should not be permitted to evade liability given its clear knowledge and use of Hull-Hazard's resources, drawing parallels to federal labor law on successor liability. He concludes that the imposition of joint liability was rational and should have been confirmed. The overall determination was modified by annulling the finding of a willful violation of Labor Law § 220 (2) and the joint liability of Hull Corporation, and then confirmed as modified.

Joint LiabilitySuccessor EmployerLabor Law ViolationsCorporate InterlockingDissenting OpinionConcurring OpinionRemedial LegislationUnfair Labor PracticesAnnulment of DeterminationWillful Violation
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 08, 1995

Rigopoulos v. State

Dimitrios Rigopoulos, an independent contractor, sustained injuries while painting a bridge from a floating barge. He and his wife, Victoria Rigopoulos, brought a claim for personal injuries against the State of New York, alleging violations of the Labor Law. The Court of Claims initially awarded damages to the claimants and granted partial summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240 (1). On appeal, the judgment was reversed. The appellate court ruled that the accident occurred on navigable waters and constituted traditional maritime activity, thus Federal maritime law applied. Consequently, Labor Law § 240 (1), which imposes strict liability, was preempted. The case was remitted to the Court of Claims for a new determination on liability under Labor Law § 200 (1) and § 241 (6), which do not impose strict liability and are not preempted by Federal maritime law.

Personal InjuryFederal Maritime LawLabor Law PreemptionStrict LiabilityNegligenceAppellate ProcedureSummary JudgmentDamages AwardRemandBridge Maintenance
References
13
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