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

Case No. 16 NY3d 707
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 01, 2011

Mount Vernon City School District v. Nova Casualty Co.

Mount Vernon City School District (School District) initiated a breach of contract action against Nova Casualty Company (Nova), a compensated surety, and DJH Mechanical Associates, Inc. (DJH), the contractor, for failure to complete HVAC work. DJH defaulted, and Nova disclaimed liability, asserting that the School District improperly diverted $214,000 of contract funds to the Department of Labor for an unrelated debt of DJH, violating the Lien Law and increasing Nova's risk under the performance bond. The lower courts and the Court of Appeals affirmed that Nova was not discharged from its surety obligation because it had not completed performance and thus lacked subrogation rights as a Lien Law trust beneficiary. Furthermore, the payment to DOL, representing earned funds for DJH's past performance, did not materially alter the contract or impair Nova's risk. The School District's request for litigation attorneys' fees was denied, as the contract and bond language did not "unmistakably clearly" obligate Nova for such costs, only for those related to project completion.

Performance bondSurety dischargeBreach of contractLien Law Article 3-ATrust fund diversionContract paymentsAttorneys' fees litigationSubrogation rightsMaterial alteration of contractCompensated surety
References
15
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 00302 [135 AD3d 572]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 19, 2016

Domaszowec v. Residential Management Group LLC

Plaintiff Tracy Domaszowec's decedent died from a fall while cleaning a window on the 13th floor of an apartment building. The Appellate Division, First Department, modified a Supreme Court order, granting plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment on her Labor Law § 240 (1) claim against Residential Management Group LLC and 40 Fifth Avenue Corporation (40 Fifth defendants), the building owner and manager. The court found the decedent was engaged in "commercial window washing," thereby making Labor Law § 240 (1) applicable. The court affirmed the dismissal of Labor Law § 202 against Veronica Bulgari and Stephen Haimo due to lack of exclusive control, and common-law negligence claims against T&L Contracting of N.Y., Inc. and Greenpoint Woodworking Inc. due to the lack of an exception to the contractual obligation rule. Issues of fact precluded summary judgment on negligence claims against Panorama Windows, Ltd., and the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur was deemed inapplicable to certain defendants.

Window cleaner fatalityScaffold LawSummary judgment appealAppellate Division First DepartmentCommercial vs. routine window washingLabor Law applicabilityContractual tort liabilityRes ipsa loquitur in negligencePunitive damages dismissalExpert witness evidence
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 20, 1993

Olsen v. We'll Manage, Inc.

The case concerns an appeal by We'll Manage, Inc. from an order denying its cross motion for summary judgment in an action brought by plaintiff Gary Olsen under Labor Law §§ 240 and 241. We'll Manage, Inc. contended that Olsen was its special employee, providing evidence of direct supervision, work assignments, the right to fire him, and payment signed by its personnel, despite his wages being drawn from a general employer's account. The court found this established a special employment relationship. As Olsen received workers' compensation benefits from his general employer, he is statutorily barred from maintaining an action against the special employer. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the lower court's order, granted We'll Manage, Inc.'s cross motion, and dismissed the complaint against the appellant.

Special EmployeeWorkers' Compensation BarSummary JudgmentLabor LawDirect SupervisionControlAffidavitDeposition TestimonyGeneral EmployerAppellate Reversal
References
6
Case No. ADJ8094646
Regular
Jan 17, 2014

ALEJANDRINA BARRETO vs. OUT OF THE SHELL, SOUTHERN INSURANCE COMPANY, REPUBLIC INDEMNITY COMPANY, PHARMAFINANCE, LLC, HEALTHCARE FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC

This case involves lien claimants PharmaFinance and Healthcare Finance Management, and their representatives Landmark Medical Management and Brian Hall, who sought reconsideration of a decision disallowing their liens for medical treatment. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration solely to notice its intention to impose sanctions of up to $2,500 against the lien claimants and their representatives. This action is due to a pattern of allegedly filing petitions containing false statements about not receiving notices, which violates the Board's Rules of Practice and Procedure and Labor Code Section 5813. The Board found these claims not persuasive and indicative of a tactic to avoid responsibility.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationSanctionsLien ClaimantsHearing RepresentativesIndustrial InjuryFindings and OrderCompromise and ReleaseNotice of IntentionLabor Code section 5813
References
0
Case No. CA 12-01329
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 2013

MULLIN, CARL D. v. WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NEW YORK, LLC

Carl D. Mullin, an employee of Riccelli Enterprises, Inc., sustained injuries after falling from a ladder at a Waste Management of New York, LLC facility. Mullin initiated an action against Waste Management, which subsequently filed a third-party claim against Riccelli for breach of contract. Waste Management alleged that Riccelli failed to name it as an additional insured on various required insurance policies, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and automobile liability. The Supreme Court granted Waste Management's motion for partial summary judgment on the breach of contract claim. The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the Supreme Court's order, also upholding the denial of Riccelli's motion to introduce new evidence, deeming it untimely and unlikely to alter the determination.

Breach of ContractInsurance CoverageAdditional Insured ClauseSummary Judgment MotionAppellate AffirmationThird-Party LitigationPersonal InjuryWorkplace AccidentLadder FallContractual Indemnity
References
2
Case No. ADJ13571625
Regular
Apr 12, 2023

MARITZA CANALES vs. EAST WEST EYE INSTITUTE, INC., NOVA CASUALTY COMPANY, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

This case concerns a petition for reconsideration by Nova Casualty Company, the insurer for East West Eye Institute, Inc., challenging a finding of joint employment. The applicant, Maritza Canales, worked as a nanny/housekeeper, receiving simultaneous payments from East West/Premier Practice Management (PPM) and an individual, Naomi Kurata. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the petition, adopting the judge's report which found sufficient connection to East West/PPM to establish employment based on payroll and benefits provided. The judge also found Naomi Kurata credible, rejecting arguments of witness contradiction and mischaracterization of facts regarding overtime pay.

JOINT EMPLOYMENTALTER EGOEMPLOYMENT FOLLOWS PAYROLLCORPORATE ENTITIESRESIDENTIAL EMPLOYEEHOMEOWNER'S INSURANCEWITNESS CREDIBILITYCOMPENSATION JUDGEPETITION FOR RECONSIDERATIONWORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re La Nova Pizzeria, Inc.

La Nova Pizzeria, Inc. appealed a decision from the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, which had assessed them for additional unemployment insurance contributions related to their delivery drivers. La Nova contended that the drivers were not employees. The court found that the Board’s decision lacked substantial evidence to prove an employment relationship, noting that drivers used their own vehicles, paid for food, and could work for other restaurants, indicating a lack of control by La Nova. Consequently, the court reversed the Board's decision and remitted the matter for further proceedings.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployment RelationshipIndependent ContractorDelivery DriversControl TestSubstantial EvidenceAppeal BoardReversalRemittalErie County
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

57th Street Management Corp. v. Zurich Insurance

The plaintiff, 57th Street Management Corp., sought a judgment declaring that Zurich Insurance Company, the defendant, had a duty to defend and indemnify it in an underlying negligence action initiated by an injured employee, Isaac Wilner, and a subsequent third-party action by Bade Cab Corp. Wilner was injured in 1984, received workers' compensation benefits from a policy issued by Zurich, and later sued 57th Street Management Corp. and Bade Cab Corp. The action against 57th Street Management Corp. was dismissed due to Workers' Compensation Law § 11. Bade Cab Corp. then served a third-party summons on the plaintiff. The Appellate Division reversed the Supreme Court's order, granting Zurich's cross motion for summary judgment. The court found that the plaintiff failed to provide timely notice to Zurich of the personal injury action, vitiating coverage, and that notice of the workers' compensation claim did not serve as notice for subsequent actions.

Insurance CoverageDuty to DefendDuty to IndemnifySummary Judgment AppealTimely Notice RequirementWorkers' Compensation ExclusivityThird-Party LiabilityNew York Appellate LawEmployer's Liability InsuranceVitiation of Coverage
References
5
Case No. 13-CV-2622
Regular Panel Decision

Dillon v. Ned Management, Inc.

Plaintiff Dillon accused her boss, Yacov Fridman, of sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments and physical contact. She also alleged retaliation after reporting the incidents, citing docked pay and eventual termination by Ned Management. Defendants, Ned Management, Joe Milligan, Eric Vainer, Polina Vainer, and Yacov Fridman, moved for summary judgment, claiming Dillon's termination was due to lateness. The court, presided over by Senior District Judge Jack B. Weinstein, denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment. The ruling determined that sufficient questions of material fact existed regarding hostile work environment, retaliation, and aiding and abetting claims under Title VII and NYCHRL against various defendants, warranting a trial. The claim for sexual assault and battery against Fridman also stands.

Sexual HarassmentRetaliationHostile Work EnvironmentEmployment DiscriminationTitle VIINYCHRLSummary JudgmentFederal Civil RightsIndividual LiabilitySupervisory Liability
References
63
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 26, 2000

AIU Insurance v. Unicover Managers, Inc.

This case involves plaintiff insurance companies, AIG, seeking a declaration that defendant ReliaStar Life Insurance Company was bound to reinsure AIG for certain workers' compensation risks based on reinsurance slips signed by Unicover Managers, Inc., ReliaStar's managing general underwriter. The Supreme Court, New York County, dismissed AIG's complaint against ReliaStar and Unicover, and ReliaStar's third-party complaint against E.W. Blanch Company. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal, finding that the parties' correspondence and conduct established that reinsurance would only be bound upon ReliaStar's own signature, negating any actual or apparent authority of Unicover or ratification by ReliaStar. Estoppel and misrepresentation claims against both defendants were also dismissed. The judgment was modified to explicitly dismiss all remaining cross claims and counterclaims, and the initial dismissal was otherwise affirmed.

Reinsurance AgreementSummary JudgmentContract InterpretationAgency AuthorityApparent AuthorityRatificationEstoppelMisrepresentationWorkers' Compensation RisksCross Claims
References
3
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