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Case Law Database

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

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
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

Claim of Jones v. Chevrolet-Tonawanda Division, GMC

This case involves appeals from two decisions by the Workers’ Compensation Board concerning a self-insured employer’s entitlement to credit for holiday wages paid to disabled employees. Claimants Hanks and Jones were injured during employment, resulting in lost time, including holidays. The employer paid them compensation for lost time but also provided full wages for holidays as per collective bargaining agreements, subsequently seeking reimbursement under Workers’ Compensation Law § 25 (4)(a). The Board denied these reimbursement requests, stating that holiday pay was a contractual right and not intended to be in lieu of compensation. The appellate court reversed the Board’s decisions, ruling that denying reimbursement would lead to claimants receiving both full wages and compensation for the holidays, creating an imbalance. Therefore, the employer is entitled to reimbursement, and the matters are remitted to the Workers’ Compensation Board for further proceedings consistent with this decision.

Workers' CompensationHoliday PayReimbursementCollective Bargaining AgreementDisabled EmployeesLost WagesSelf-Insured EmployerAppellate ReviewBoard Decision ReversalStatutory Interpretation
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gomez v. F & T International LLC

This case involves two undocumented construction workers, Gomez and Livicura, who were injured in a demolition accident on February 4, 2005. The property owner, F & T Int’l (Flushing, New York) LLC, and the general contractor, Top 8 Construction Corp., moved to compel further depositions of the plaintiffs regarding their immigration status and income tax returns to mitigate lost wage claims. The court, citing Balbuena v IDR Realty LLC, denied the defendants' motion, ruling that a worker's alien status is irrelevant for lost wage claims when no false documents were used. The court emphasized that the onus of verifying work authorization lies with the employer, not the employee, and highlighted the disingenuousness of employers raising immigration status concerns only after an injury, deeming it an attempt to intimidate plaintiffs.

Construction AccidentUndocumented WorkersLost Wages ClaimImmigration StatusEmployer SanctionsIRCAWorkers' RightsDemolition IndustryPersonal InjuryEmployer Liability
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 09, 2002

Saunders v. New York City Health & Hospitals Corp.

This case involves an order and judgment from the Supreme Court, New York County, concerning a proceeding under CPLR article 78. The petition was granted to the extent of enjoining the respondent from appointing temporary employees in disregard of Civil Service Law § 64 (1) and directing an amendment to its policy regarding Civil Service Law § 75 (1) (c) to include part-time employees. However, the application for lost wages and benefits on behalf of petitioner Patino was denied. The court unanimously affirmed the decision, stating that the injunctive relief was properly granted as the respondent failed to articulate an important need for open-ended temporary employment consistent with Civil Service Law. The court also rejected the argument that Civil Service Law § 75 (1) (c) applies only to full-time employees, affirming that no hearing was required for Patino's termination under the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Temporary EmployeesCivil Service LawInjunctive ReliefPart-time EmployeesLost WagesCollective Bargaining AgreementsTerminationPublic PolicyJudicial ReviewAdministrative Law
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Covert v. Niagara County

Claimant, a public assistance recipient, suffered a work-related injury while assigned to Niagara County through a work experience program. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge initially established the claim and determined an average weekly wage based on public assistance benefits. After public assistance benefits were suspended, the claimant sought lost wage benefits. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed a WCLJ decision, ruling that payments made under the work experience program constituted "wages" under the Workers’ Compensation Law. Niagara County and its third-party administrator appealed this decision. The appellate court dismissed the appeal, holding that the Board's decision was interlocutory and did not dispose of all substantive issues, thus precluding immediate appeal. The court noted that review could be sought if and when a final determination on wage replacement benefits is issued.

Wage DeterminationPublic Assistance BenefitsWork Experience ProgramInterlocutory AppealAppellate JurisdictionMedical Evidence SufficiencySchedule Loss of UseLost Wage ClaimWorkers' Compensation Board ReviewFinality of Decision
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Majlinger v. Cassino Contracting Corp.

Plaintiff Stanislaw Majlinger, an undocumented immigrant, commenced an action for injuries sustained in a scaffold fall, asserting negligence and Labor Law violations. Defendants moved for partial summary judgment to dismiss Majlinger's claim for lost earnings. They argued that federal immigration law, particularly the Supreme Court's decision in Hoffman Plastic Compounds, Inc. v. National Labor Relations Bd., precludes undocumented aliens from recovering lost wages for work not performed. The court acknowledged prior New York state precedents that allowed such recoveries but ultimately concluded that the Hoffman decision, interpreting the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), necessitated the dismissal of Majlinger's lost wages claim. Consequently, the court granted the defendants' motions, severing and dismissing the plaintiff's claim for lost wages.

Immigration LawLost WagesUndocumented AlienLabor Law ViolationsScaffold AccidentSummary JudgmentIRCAHoffman Plastic CompoundsEmployment LawPersonal Injury
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 26, 2015

Matter of Newbill v. Town of Hempstead

Claimant, a sanitation crew chief, injured his right ankle and foot at work and was awarded disability benefits. His self-insured employer paid his full weekly wages during a period of disability and timely sought reimbursement for these advanced payments. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge granted the employer's reimbursement request against a 20% schedule loss of use award for the right foot. The Board affirmed this decision, and the claimant appealed, arguing that reimbursement should not cover periods where no compensation awards were initially made. The court affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that an employer is entitled to full reimbursement from a schedule loss of use award for advanced wages paid during disability, as schedule awards are not allocable to specific periods of lost work.

Schedule Loss of UseReimbursementAdvanced Wage PaymentsDisability BenefitsEmployer RightsAppellate ReviewWorkers’ Compensation BoardStatutory InterpretationPermanent Partial DisabilityTimely Claim
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Nelson v. 1683 UNICO, Inc.

An initial order from the Supreme Court, Bronx County, dated October 11, 1996, in a personal injury action, granted the defendant's motion to set aside a jury's damage award to the plaintiff for past and future lost wages, and pain and suffering. The appellate court modified this order, vacating the awards for past and future lost wages and remanding for a new trial on these issues, unless the plaintiff accepted a stipulated reduction. The court found the plaintiff's non-union job documentation insufficient but accepted proof for union jobs in calculating the revised lost wage figures. Awards for past and future pain and suffering were upheld, with the court noting that subsequent medical malpractice was a foreseeable consequence of the defendant's initial negligence in maintaining the stairwell where the plaintiff fell.

Personal InjuryDamagesLost WagesPain and SufferingJury AwardAppellate ReviewStipulationNegligenceMedical MalpracticeForeseeability
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Cartagena v. Challenger Columbia, Inc.

This case concerns six seamen who filed a motion for partial summary judgment against Challenger Columbia, Inc., Equity Steamship Agencies, Ltd., and John P. Emmans, seeking recovery for unpaid wages and other compensation after their vessel, the M/V Ocean Challenger, sank. The court addressed claims for wages, termination compensation, vacation pay, overtime, lost belongings, interest, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees. Applying Panamanian law and principles of issue preclusion, the court granted summary judgment for the seamen on claims matching the amounts in their pay vouchers, including wages, termination compensation, vacation pay, lost belongings, and overtime, as well as interest and liquidated damages. However, claims for additional compensation beyond the pay voucher amounts for lost possessions and overtime, and claims for attorney's fees, were denied, with the latter requiring a finding of 'callousness' which is a factual issue.

Seamen's wagesAdmiralty lawMaritime lawPanamanian Labor CodeSummary judgmentCorporate veil piercingAlter ego liabilityOvertime pay disputeLost personal belongingsPrejudgment interest
References
7
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