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

Case No. ADJ9803711
Regular
May 01, 2017

LUIS LEONEL LOPEZ VARGAS vs. THE ACADEMY OF MAGICAL ARTS, COMPWEST, ICW

In *Lopez Vargas v. The Academy of Magical Arts*, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed a petition for reconsideration as untimely. The WCAB reiterated that the 25-day deadline to file a petition for reconsideration, which can be extended by three days if the original decision was served by mail, is jurisdictional. The petition was filed on March 13, 2017, after the deadline of February 28, 2017, making it void. Therefore, the WCAB lacked the authority to consider the merits of the untimely petition.

Petition for ReconsiderationUntimelyJurisdictionalDismissedWCABWCJLab. CodeCal. Code Regs.Minute OrderLien Claimant
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Borsack v. Chalk & Vermilion Fine Arts, Ltd.

Ronald Borsack (also known as Ron Bell) filed a breach of contract action against Chalk & Vermilion Fine Arts, Ltd., Sevenarts, Ltd., Chalk & Vermilion Fine Arts, LLC, and David Rogath. The defendants removed the case from New York Supreme Court to federal court, citing diversity jurisdiction and later jurisdiction under the Convention for the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitration Awards. Borsack claimed an oral agreement for a "finders fee" of five Erte artist proofs, which he alleged was memorialized in an addendum to a license agreement between Chalk & Vermilion and Sevenarts. The defendants moved to stay the action pending arbitration as per the license agreement, while Borsack cross-moved to remand the case to state court, arguing a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court found that diversity jurisdiction was absent as Borsack was domiciled in New York, the same as one of the defendants. However, the court determined it had federal question jurisdiction under the Federal Arbitration Act's Chapter 2, as the dispute involved an international commercial arbitration agreement. The court further concluded that Borsack, as an intended third-party beneficiary of the License Agreement and Addendum, was bound by its arbitration clause. Consequently, the court granted the defendants' motion for a stay pending arbitration and denied Borsack's motion to remand.

Breach of ContractArbitration AgreementFederal Arbitration ActDiversity JurisdictionSubject Matter JurisdictionThird-Party BeneficiaryConvention on Foreign Arbitral AwardsRemand MotionStay Pending ArbitrationContract Interpretation
References
37
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Graphic Arts Mutual Insurance v. Bakers Mutual Insurance

This case concerns a dispute between Graphic Arts Mutual, an automobile liability insurer, and Bakers Mutual, a workers' compensation carrier, over which policy covers an employer's derivative liability in a third-party personal injury action. An employee of Chimes Cake Co. was injured by a co-employee's negligence, leading to a third-party claim against the employer under the Dole-Dow doctrine. Graphic disclaimed responsibility, citing policy exclusions for employee bodily injury and workers' compensation obligations. The court affirmed that Graphic's automobile policy covered the employer's vicarious liability to a third-party tort-feasor, as this obligation did not fall within the stated exclusions. The decision emphasizes a functional analysis of separate insurance lines, concluding that automobile liability should cover obligations arising from vehicle operation.

Insurance disputeAutomobile liabilityWorkers' compensationThird-party actionDeclaratory judgmentEmployer's liabilityVicarious liabilityDole-Dow doctrinePolicy exclusionsCo-employee negligence
References
4
Case No. 650775/2013, 158002/2012
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 25, 2013

Saska v. Metropolitan Museum of Art

This opinion addresses two consolidated actions challenging the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s "pay what you wish" admissions policy. Plaintiffs alleged violations of General Business Law § 349, a 1893 statute, and breach of a 1878 lease with the City of New York, asserting a right to free admission. Justice Kornreich granted the Museum’s motion to dismiss. The court found no private right of action under the 1893 appropriations act and determined that plaintiffs, as purported third-party beneficiaries of the lease, had no greater rights than the City, which had tacitly and explicitly approved the admission policy for over 40 years. The decision underscored that compelling a de minimis payment constituted de facto free access and that plaintiffs' lawsuit would ultimately undermine the Museum’s ability to fund its public access and operations.

Museum Admission PolicyPay What You WishGeneral Business Law § 349Lease AgreementThird-Party BeneficiaryPrivate Right of ActionAppropriations StatuteInjunctive ReliefMotion to DismissMetropolitan Museum of Art
References
31
Case No. ADJ7994981
Regular
Feb 19, 2013

Timothy Sabedra vs. Magic Messenger, Inc., Gallagher Bassett Services

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior decision, finding the applicant, Timothy Sabedra, was an employee of Magic Messenger, Inc. The Board found that despite a transportation agreement designating Sabedra as an independent contractor, Magic Messenger exercised sufficient control over his work. Key factors included the provision of employee handbooks, mandated uniforms, start times, and dispatch radio use, all indicating an employer-employee relationship.

WORKERS COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDIndependent ContractorEmployee StatusRight to Control TestBorello TestTruck DriverMagic Messenger Inc.Gallagher Bassett ServicesTimothy SabedraLabor Code Section 3351
References
33
Case No. ADJ10955805; ADJ10963100
Regular
Oct 20, 2025

DAVID SCHUPP vs. MAGIC MOUNTAIN LLC, PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY OF HARTFORD

David Schupp, the applicant, filed workers' compensation claims for injuries to his right ankle, bilateral wrists, and knees while employed by Magic Mountain LLC. The defendant, Magic Mountain LLC, petitioned for removal challenging a Workers' Compensation Judge's (WCJ) findings regarding the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) process in pain management. The Appeals Board treated the petition as one for reconsideration, granted it under the removal standard, affirmed the WCJ's findings on employment, injury, and parts of the body, but deferred other interlocutory issues. The case is returned to the WCJ for further proceedings to address the validity of the QME panels, the timeliness and nature of the applicant's objection to a medical report, and potential prejudice to the defendant.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationRemovalJoint Findings and OrderQualified Medical EvaluatorPQMEPain ManagementLabor Code Section 4062.2Agreed Medical EvaluatorMedical Evaluation
References
10
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03209
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 2018

Greenwood v. Whitney Museum of Am. Art

The plaintiff, Mitchell Greenwood, sustained injuries when a piece of scrap metal fell on him during construction while he was 'fire watching' and a co-worker was welding 30 feet above. The Supreme Court granted Greenwood partial summary judgment on Labor Law §§ 240 (1), 241 (6) and 241-a claims. The Appellate Division, First Department, modified the Supreme Court's order. It affirmed the partial summary judgment on the Labor Law § 240 (1) claim, finding a failure to secure the falling object. However, it denied summary judgment for the Labor Law §§ 241 (6) and 241-a claims, dismissing the unpleaded § 241-a claim and finding triable issues of fact for the § 241 (6) claim regarding the height of the fall and the practicality of safety planks.

Construction AccidentFalling ObjectLabor LawSummary JudgmentAppellate DivisionWorker SafetyPremises LiabilityProximate CauseTriable Issues of FactFire Watching
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Zimmer v. Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc.

This case is an appeal from an order of the Supreme Court in Tioga County, which granted defendants' motions to set aside a $350,000 jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff and ordered a new trial. The trial court's decision to grant a new trial was affirmed by the appellate court, acknowledging the trial court's discretion in evaluating errors. The basis for setting aside the verdict included the plaintiff's attorney's improper introduction of new medical evidence (CAT scan and X-rays) shortly before trial, without proper notice, and the subsequent testimony of Dr. Leonard J. Barron based on this evidence. Additionally, plaintiff's attorney engaged in prejudicial tactics during summation, attacking the reliability of defendants' medical expert and injecting speculative arguments about inflation and improper references to workers' compensation reimbursement. These combined errors led the trial court, and subsequently the appellate court, to conclude that defendants were denied a fair trial, thus justifying a new trial on damages.

Appeal ProcedureNew TrialEvidentiary RulingsDiscovery AbuseMedical Expert TestimonyJury Verdict Set AsideAttorney MisconductPrejudicial ErrorsDamages DeterminationFair Trial
References
6
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 03334
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 18, 2024

Loaiza v. Museum of Arts & Design

Plaintiff, a commercial window washer, fell while performing work on the exterior of a building and subsequently moved for partial summary judgment on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim. The Supreme Court initially denied his motion. On appeal, the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously reversed the lower court's order, granting the plaintiff's motion. The Appellate Division found that the plaintiff made a prima facie showing that his accident was proximately caused by a failure to provide adequate safety devices. The Court rejected the defendants' arguments of comparative negligence and recalcitrant worker defense, stating that the plaintiff's omission of a specific safety knot was at most comparative negligence and not a sole proximate cause, and no evidence supported intentional disregard of safety instructions.

Window Washing AccidentLabor Law § 240(1)Fall ProtectionSafety DevicesSummary JudgmentComparative NegligenceRecalcitrant Worker DefenseAppellate ReviewConstruction AccidentNew York Appellate Division
References
3
Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 05464 [220 AD3d 614]
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 31, 2023

Children's Magical Garden, Inc. v. Marom

This case involves an appeal from an order that granted an adverse inference charge against the defendant for spoliation of evidence. The Supreme Court found the defendant grossly negligent in spoliation. However, the Appellate Division, First Department, determined that the imposed adverse inference charge was inappropriate because it required rather than permitted the jury to draw an adverse inference. Furthermore, due to conflicting testimony, the issues of spoliation and the warrant for an adverse inference should have been presented to the jury first. Consequently, the appellate court modified the order by deleting the specific adverse inference charge, remanding the matter for a new charge, and otherwise affirming the order.

Spoliation of evidenceAdverse inference chargeGross negligenceAppellate reviewEvidentiary sanctionsCivil procedureDiscoveryJury instructionsRemandNew York law
References
3
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