CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 02, 1979

New York Times Co. v. Newspaper & Mail Deliverers' Union

The New York Times Company (Times) and the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’ Union of New York and Vicinity (NMDU) are embroiled in a dispute over staffing levels at the Times' Carlstadt, New Jersey facility. The Times initiated reduced manning for daily paper production, which the NMDU deemed a breach of their collective bargaining agreement, leading to a sustained work stoppage. Following an interim arbitration award that the NMDU rejected, the Times sought a preliminary injunction in court. The District Court, presided over by Judge Sweet, determined that the manning dispute is subject to the arbitration provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Consequently, the court directed the NMDU to cease its work stoppage and proceed to arbitration, while also scheduling an evidentiary hearing to assess the criteria for issuing a preliminary injunction against the union.

Collective BargainingArbitrationWork StoppagePreliminary InjunctionLabor DisputeManning DisputeFederal PolicyNorris-LaGuardia ActCollective Bargaining AgreementJudicial Review
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

New York Times Co. v. Newspaper & Mail Deliverers' Union of New York & Vicinity

The New York Times Company initiated a contempt action against the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’ Union of New York and Vicinity (NMDU) and three union officials (Douglas LaChance, Lawrence May, Monte Rosenberg). The action stemmed from the defendants' alleged violation of a June 4, 1980 consent order, which mandated compliance with "status quo" rulings by an Impartial Chairman in collective bargaining disputes. On September 17, 1980, NMDU members engaged in a work stoppage following an employee's suspension, despite an Impartial Chairman's ruling that the suspension did not alter the status quo and ordering a return to work. The court found NMDU and Lawrence May guilty of contempt, ordering them to pay $229,718 in compensatory damages to the Times. However, the court denied the application for contempt against Douglas LaChance and Monte Rosenberg, and also denied the Times' request for a prospective fine.

Labor DisputeContempt of CourtNo-Strike ClauseArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementWork StoppageDamagesUnion LiabilityWildcat StrikeStatus Quo Ruling
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Findling v. Community General Hospital

Claimant sustained a work-related injury in July 1995 and subsequently experienced intermittent lost time from work. In April 1998, claimant was awarded eight weeks of intermittent lost time, but sought review from the Workers’ Compensation Board, submitting a spreadsheet that indicated 13 weeks of lost time. The Board declined to consider the merits of her application, categorizing the spreadsheet as new evidence and citing claimant's failure to explain its prior non-submission. On appeal, the Court found that the Board erred in deeming the spreadsheet new evidence, a point the employer conceded. This error precluded the Board from fulfilling its fact-finding role and deprived the claimant of a review on the merits. Consequently, the decision was reversed, and the case remitted to the Board for further proceedings consistent with the Court's decision.

Workers' CompensationIntermittent Lost TimeEvidence AdmissibilityBoard ReviewRemittalProcedural ErrorAppellate Court DecisionDisability BenefitsFact-Finding RoleClaimant Rights
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Balbuena v. IDR Realty LLC

Justice Ellerin's dissenting memorandum argues that the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) does not preempt state labor laws concerning an undocumented alien's recovery of lost wages. Ellerin contends that denying such recovery would undermine IRCA's purpose by enabling employers who violate the act to benefit from their unlawful conduct. The dissent emphasizes that Congress did not intend for IRCA to supersede state common law remedies for lost wages in tort actions, citing legislative history. It further asserts that awarding lost earnings to undocumented aliens aligns with state policy and does not significantly impede IRCA's objectives. Therefore, the dissent concludes that New York law should govern, allowing a jury to determine the plaintiff's potential earnings.

Immigration Reform and Control ActIRCA PreemptionUndocumented Workers RightsLost WagesState Labor LawFederal PreemptionEmployer SanctionsTort DamagesSummary JudgmentDissenting Opinion
References
20
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Bryant v. New York Transit Authority

The case concerns cross-appeals from decisions by the Workers' Compensation Board regarding a bus driver's involuntary retirement and lost earnings. The claimant suffered a seizure and physical injuries, leading to disability retirement. The Board initially found involuntary retirement due to permanent partial disability but shifted the burden to the claimant to prove subsequent lost earnings were causally related to his disability after May 13, 2004, concluding his failure to seek work caused the loss. The appellate court reversed, holding that the Board erred in shifting the burden to the claimant, as an involuntary retirement due to a permanent partial disability infers post-retirement lost earnings are due to that disability. The court emphasized that merely not seeking work post-retirement does not defeat this inference or shift the burden. The case was remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings.

Involuntary RetirementPermanent Partial DisabilityLost Earnings CausationBurden of Proof ShiftRebuttable PresumptionFailure to Seek WorkAppellate ReversalRemittiturBus Driver DisabilitySeizure-related Injuries
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Ortiz v. Leak

The petitioner, who was shot in 1991, applied to the Crime Victims Board for compensation, including lost earnings and vocational rehabilitation. The Board initially awarded compensation for property loss and medical expenses, and later counsel fees. Petitioner appealed the denial of lost earnings and vocational rehabilitation. The Board's denial was based on insufficient evidence of prior employment and occupational limitations. The court affirmed the Board's denial, finding the proof for lost earnings highly speculative and the need for vocational rehabilitation not established. However, the court modified the counsel fee award from $65 to $80, correcting an error regarding the petitioner's retainer payment.

Crime Victims BoardLost EarningsVocational RehabilitationCounsel FeesCPLR Article 78Executive LawSubstantial EvidenceBurden of ProofCompensation DenialAlbany County
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 12, 1996

Van Guilder v. Sands Hecht Construction Corp.

This case involves an appeal from a judgment in an action under Labor Law § 240 (1). The judgment, entered April 12, 1996, awarded damages for past pain and suffering and past lost earnings, but zero for future damages. The court unanimously affirmed the judgment. The central issue was whether the trial court correctly instructed the jury on mitigation of damages, specifically regarding the plaintiff's refusal to undergo a myelogram, a test repeatedly recommended by his treating orthopedist for diagnosis and potential surgery. The appellate court found ample evidence to justify the mitigation charge, citing the physician's recommendation and the plaintiff's failure to attend physical therapy or seek employment. The court also affirmed the damage award, finding it reasonable given conflicting medical testimony about a herniated disc and inconsistencies in the plaintiff's testimony about his post-accident lifestyle and efforts to find work.

Labor Law § 240 (1)DamagesMitigation of DamagesMyelogramMedical DiagnosisRefusal of TreatmentPain and SufferingLost EarningsHerniated DiscWorkers' Compensation Board
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Delano v. United States

Plaintiff Daniel Delano sued the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries sustained on October 26, 2005, while unloading an overloaded mail container at the Dunkirk Post Office. The court found that the United States Postal Service (USPS) breached its duty of care by failing to address a dangerous condition despite actual notice and repeated complaints, which proximately caused Delano's disc herniation and subsequent re-injury. However, Delano was found 10% comparatively negligent for not taking available ameliorative measures such as partially unloading the container or requesting a split load. The court awarded Delano $103,625 for lost past wages, $526,489 for lost future wages, and $150,000 for pain and suffering, all subject to a 10% reduction for comparative negligence and a $70,200 reduction for workers' compensation buyout. A workers' compensation lien of $146,821.50 was also acknowledged.

Federal Tort Claims ActNegligencePersonal InjuryBack InjuryDisc HerniationMicrodiscectomyWorkers' CompensationComparative NegligenceLost WagesPain and Suffering
References
30
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Patterson v. NEWSPAPER AND MAIL DELIVERERS'UNION

This opinion addresses an appeal within the long-standing civil rights case initiated in 1973 by a class of private plaintiffs and the EEOC against the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’ Union and numerous publishers for discriminatory practices. The original suit resulted in a 1974 Consent Decree establishing an affirmative action program for newspaper deliverers. The current matter involves an appeal by Magazine Distributors, Inc. (MDI) and MDI Distributors, Limited Partnership, challenging a determination by court-appointed Administrator William S. Ellis. The Administrator had asserted jurisdiction over Claim 274, filed by the NMDU, which alleged that MDI and the Partnership violated the Consent Decree by refusing to hire former Imperial News Co. employees represented by the NMDU after MDI acquired Imperial's assets. MDI argued the Administrator lacked jurisdiction, contending the claim was purely about union discrimination and that prior NLRB and Bankruptcy Court decisions precluded the Administrator's review. The Court affirmed the Administrator's jurisdiction, holding that his broad authority under the Settlement Agreement extends to investigating whether an asset sale was a deliberate attempt to circumvent the Consent Decree, an issue not previously litigated in other forums. The matter is remanded for an evidentiary hearing.

Employment DiscriminationAffirmative ActionConsent Decree EnforcementSuccessor LiabilityUnion DiscriminationJurisdiction DisputeAdministrator ReviewAsset Sale CircumventionLabor LawTitle VII
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Drum v. Newspaper & Mail Deliverers' Union

Drum, a former employee of The New York Post, sued his employer and the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers’ Union for alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement and breach of duty of fair representation, respectively. Drum sought supplemental and disability benefits following an automobile accident in 1978, which were denied. He contended issues with the handling of his claim by the Union's counsel and subsequently retained private counsel. The defendants moved for summary judgment, asserting lack of subject matter jurisdiction due to Drum's failure to exhaust administrative remedies and that the action was time-barred. The court determined that while the exhaustion of administrative remedies was a disputed factual issue, the lawsuit was indeed barred by the six-month statute of limitations as established by the Supreme Court in Del Costello v. International Brotherhood, given that Drum filed his action more than a year after his claim accrued. Consequently, the defendants' motion for summary judgment was granted.

Collective Bargaining AgreementDuty of Fair RepresentationSummary JudgmentStatute of LimitationsDisability BenefitsLabor Management Relations ActNational Labor Relations ActGrievance ProceduresExhaustion of Administrative RemediesEmployee Rights
References
3
Showing 1-10 of 1,292 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational