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

Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 05756 [209 AD3d 495]
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 13, 2022

Lopez v. 157-161 E. 28th St., LLC

This case involves an appeal concerning the dismissal of second third-party claims for breach of contract, unpaid overtime wages, and breach of constructive trust related to a construction project. The Appellate Division affirmed the Supreme Court's decision, determining that New Wave Contracting Corp., a subcontractor, was the direct employer of the individual second third-party plaintiffs, not the general contractors Iceberg Developing Co., LLC and Forkosh Construction Co., Inc. The court also found that signed lien waivers and releases by the individual second third-party plaintiffs validly barred their wage and contract claims, as payment was accepted without objection. Furthermore, constructive trust claims were correctly dismissed due to the lack of contractual privity between the individual second third-party plaintiffs and the general contractors.

Construction ProjectSubcontractor LiabilityWage ClaimsLien LawSummary JudgmentEmployer-Employee RelationshipContractual PrivityRelease WaiverAppellate ReviewThird-Party Claims
References
8
Case No. 2025 NYSlipOp 07295
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 24, 2025

Morales v. 88th Ave. Owner, LLC

The plaintiff, Elihu Romero Morales, was injured at a construction site in Queens when struck in the eye by a spark from ironwork. He sued 88th Avenue Owner, LLC, and NY Developers & Managers, Inc., alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6). The defendants then initiated a second third-party action against subcontractors Feinstein Iron Works, Inc., and Construction Realty Safety Group, Inc., for contribution and indemnification. The Supreme Court initially granted the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on liability and dismissed the second third-party complaint with prejudice. The Appellate Division, Second Department, modified this order, denying the plaintiff's summary judgment motion, awarding summary judgment to the defendants on the Labor Law claims, and directing the dismissal of the second third-party complaint without prejudice due to a four-year delay in its commencement. The Court found Labor Law § 240(1) inapplicable as sparks are not objects requiring securing for elevation-related hazards, and 12 NYCRR 23-1.8(a) inapplicable as the plaintiff was not directly engaged in the eye-endangering operation.

Construction AccidentLabor LawSummary JudgmentElevation-Related HazardThird-Party ActionDismissal Without PrejudiceSparksEye InjurySubcontractor LiabilityOwner Liability
References
22
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 02063
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 24, 2022

Hasenzahl v. 44th St. Dev. LLC

The Appellate Division, First Department, considered an appeal concerning a Supreme Court order that granted a motion to sever and stay a second third-party action, and denied a motion for summary judgment. The court found that the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in severing and staying the second third-party action, citing that joint tortfeasors are not necessary parties. It further noted that Gateway and Woodworks' subcontracts provided for joint and several liability, allowing for apportionment in a separate proceeding. However, the Appellate Division modified the order by granting Gateway's motion for summary judgment, dismissing the common-law indemnification and contribution claims against it. This dismissal was based on the Workers' Compensation Law § 11, as the plaintiff, Gateway's employer, did not sustain a grave injury.

Appellate PracticeThird-Party ActionsSeverance and StaySummary JudgmentCommon-Law IndemnificationContribution ClaimsWorkers' Compensation LawGrave InjuryJoint and Several LiabilitySubcontractor Agreements
References
5
Case No. ADJ9667092
Regular
Jan 12, 2016

Virginia Fernandez vs. KMART, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

Applicant Virginia Fernandez injured her knee and wrist, but her MPN physician's report was contradictory and failed to address all complaints, leading to a dispute. The defendant denied her request for a second opinion within the MPN, insisting she use the panel QME process. The Appeals Board found the applicant was entitled to a second opinion within the MPN to resolve the dispute over her treatment. However, the Board reversed the lower judge's order, ruling the defendant's refusal did not constitute a denial of medical treatment allowing her to seek care outside the MPN.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedical Provider NetworkMPNSecond Opinion PhysicianQualified Medical EvaluatorQMEDenial of Medical TreatmentLabor Code section 4616.3Labor Code section 4616.4Independent Medical Review
References
3
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 01758 [203 AD3d 531]
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 15, 2022

Valentine v. 2147 Second Ave. LLC

Michael Valentine, a project safety coordinator for Homeland Safety Consultants, sued 2147 Second Avenue LLC and other defendants for injuries sustained at a demolition and construction site. The Supreme Court, Bronx County, granted summary judgment to defendants Gary Silver Architects, P.C. and Sunshine Quality Construction, Inc., dismissing the complaint against them, and denied Valentine's motion for partial summary judgment on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim. The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed this decision, finding no evidence of affirmative negligence by GSA and concluding that Sunshine was not on site as a general contractor until after the accident. The court also upheld the denial of Valentine's Labor Law claim, noting it was never properly pleaded in his complaints.

Demolition ProjectConstruction AccidentProject Safety CoordinatorSummary JudgmentLabor Law § 240 (1)Affirmative NegligenceGeneral Contractor LiabilityPleading AmendmentsAppellate ReviewPremises Liability
References
4
Case No. ADJ6801375
Regular
Jul 13, 2010

MICHAEL DAVID HERNANDEZ vs. VINCE'S ITALIAN TO GO, PREFERRED EMPLOYERS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award. The WCAB found that the applicant was not entitled to medical treatment outside the employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN) for a meniscus transplant or graft. The applicant failed to follow the required procedures for obtaining a second and third opinion within the MPN before seeking treatment from an out-of-network physician. Therefore, the WCAB concluded there was no showing that treatment outside the MPN was justified under the relevant rules.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedical Provider NetworkMPNFurther Medical TreatmentSports Medicine DoctorMedical Meniscus TransplantGraft ProcedureDr. Patrick O'MearaDr. John DeSantisSubspecialist
References
2
Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 03905 [218 AD3d 733]
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 26, 2023

Cruz v. 451 Lexington Realty, LLC

Plaintiff Johnny Cruz, a laborer, sustained injuries when ductwork fell on him while clearing debris during a building demolition. He initiated an action alleging common-law negligence and violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240 (1), and 241 (6) against 451 Lexington Realty, LLC, and Regent Development Associates, LLC. The defendants initiated a third-party action against City Limits Group, Inc., and City Limits, in turn, sued Flintlock Construction Services, LLC. The Supreme Court denied Cruz's motion for summary judgment on Labor Law claims and granted the defendants' cross-motions to dismiss the complaint. The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's order, finding Labor Law § 240 (1) inapplicable as the ductwork was part of the preexisting structure and not being actively worked on, and Labor Law § 241 (6) inapplicable as the area was not normally exposed to falling objects. Furthermore, Labor Law § 200 and common-law negligence claims were dismissed because the defendants did not exercise supervision or control over the plaintiff's work methods.

Personal injuryLabor LawSummary judgmentFalling objectConstruction accidentWorkplace safetyDemolitionCommon-law negligenceIndemnificationAppellate review
References
20
Case No. ADJ10084576
Regular
Oct 06, 2016

ROSE SMITH vs. MEGGITT SENSING SYSTEMS PLC, THE HARTFORD

This case involves Rose Smith's workers' compensation claim where the defendant, Meggit Sensing Systems and its insurer, The Hartford, seek reconsideration of an order allowing Smith to obtain medical treatment outside their Medical Provider Network (MPN). The Appeals Board denied the petition, affirming the WCJ's finding that the defendant's failure to authorize a requested third medical opinion constituted a denial of care. This denial entitled the applicant to seek treatment outside the MPN at the defendant's expense. The defendant argued the request was procedurally deficient and not a request for treatment, but the Board found the failure to respond to the RFA for a third opinion, in context, was a failure to provide reasonable medical treatment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedical Provider Network (MPN)Request for Authorization (RFA)Petition for ReconsiderationDenial of Medical TreatmentThird Medical OpinionUtilization Review (UR)Primary Treating PhysicianCumulative TraumaLoss of Control
References
3
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 01354
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 09, 2021

Deschaine v. Tricon Constr., LLC

The New York Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed an order which granted motions to renew filed by third-party plaintiffs Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Michael Boyle, and Tricon Construction, LLC along with C.P. Plaza Limited Partnership. The motions sought to vacate a previous order that had dismissed their third-party claims for contribution and common-law indemnification against AMZ Construction Services, Inc. Upon renewal, these claims were reinstated. The court found that new expert reports submitted by the plaintiff, Robert Deschaine, raised a factual dispute regarding whether he sustained a 'grave injury' as defined by Workers' Compensation Law § 11, specifically brain injuries that rendered him unemployable in any capacity. This issue of fact justified the renewal and reinstatement of the third-party claims.

Appellate PracticeRenewal MotionSummary JudgmentContribution ClaimsIndemnification ClaimsGrave InjuryWorkers' Compensation LawBrain InjuriesUnemployabilityProcedural Law
References
2
Case No. ADJ11328275
Regular
Dec 10, 2018

DENISE DOYLE vs. TECH MAHINDRA (AMERICAS) INC., ALLMERICA FINANCIAL BENEFIT INSURANCE COMPANY, HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP

The defendant sought reconsideration of an order allowing the applicant to consult a second physician within the employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN). The defendant argued that the MPN physician's release from care was not a dispute over diagnosis or treatment, and Labor Code sections 4061 and 4062, requiring medical-legal evaluations, applied instead. The Appeals Board dismissed the petition, finding it was not taken from a final order as it did not determine substantive rights or liabilities. The Board also noted that even if considered on its merits, the petition would be denied because Labor Code Section 4616.3 and Administrative Director Rule 9785(b)(3) allow an employee to seek a second opinion within the MPN when disputing a release from care.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationMedical Provider NetworkMPNLabor Code Section 4616.3Second Physician ConsultMedical-Legal EvaluationFinal OrderSubstantive Right or LiabilityThreshold Issue
References
4
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