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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

Davis v. Butler

Plaintiff William A. Davis, a general employee of Livingston Services, Inc., was assigned to work for Andrew 'Andy' Butler, a general contractor. Davis sued Butler, but the Supreme Court erred in denying Butler's motion for summary judgment. The appellate court found that Davis was a special employee of Butler as a matter of law, meaning his action against Butler was barred by the Workers’ Compensation Law's exclusive remedy provisions. Despite Livingston paying wages and providing workers' compensation benefits, Butler maintained complete control and supervision over Davis's work. Therefore, the order of the Supreme Court was reversed, Butler's motion for summary judgment was granted, and the complaint against Butler was dismissed.

Workers' CompensationSpecial EmployeeGeneral ContractorSummary JudgmentExclusive RemedyAppellate ReviewEmployer ControlLabor LawNew York LawSteuben County
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Nicole G.

The Rockland County Department of Social Services appealed two Family Court orders concerning child protective proceedings against Nicole G. and Daniella G., which had denied petitions and dismissed the proceedings. The appeal affirmed the Family Court's decision, finding that Nicole G.'s out-of-court statements regarding her father's alleged abuse were insufficiently corroborated by other evidence. Although witnesses cross-corroborated each other's testimony and Nicole G. provided a narrative, she refused to testify. An expert witness also failed to provide the necessary corroborating evidence with a reasonable degree of certainty. Consequently, the allegations of abuse were not established by a preponderance of the evidence.

Child Protective ProceedingsFamily Court Act Article 10Child AbuseChild NeglectCorroboration of StatementsOut-of-Court StatementsCredibility of WitnessesFact-Finding HearingAdmissibility of EvidenceExpert Testimony
References
7
Case No. 166 AD3d 1449
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 29, 2018

Davis v. Eab-Tab Enters.

Plaintiff Kody Davis, a laborer, was injured while working for defendant Thomas Bender in a building owned by EAB-TAB Enterprises. Davis and his spouse filed a complaint alleging negligence and Labor Law violations. The defendants' insurer, Utica First Insurance Company, denied coverage based on an employee exclusion. After plaintiffs amended their complaint to assert only negligence, Utica First moved for summary judgment to dismiss the third-party complaint, arguing no obligation to defend or indemnify. The Supreme Court denied the motion, deeming Davis an independent contractor. The Appellate Division affirmed the denial, finding a triable issue of fact as to Davis's employment status, thus precluding summary judgment.

Summary JudgmentEmployee ExclusionIndependent Contractor StatusInsurance Coverage DisputeLabor LawNegligenceThird-Party ActionAppellate DivisionTriable Issue of FactEmployer-Employee Relationship
References
9
Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 00906
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 16, 2023

Matter of Davis v. Hutchings Children Servs.

Charlene Davis, a licensed practical nurse, sustained work-related injuries in 2010, leading to two established workers' compensation claims and a classification of permanent partial disability. Approaching the exhaustion of her indemnity benefits, Davis filed requests for an extreme hardship redetermination to achieve reclassification to permanent total disability. While a Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially granted these requests, the Workers' Compensation Board modified the decision, concluding that Davis failed to demonstrate extreme financial hardship. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's determination. The court found the Board's interpretation of "extreme hardship" to be rational and its decision to deny reclassification supported by substantial evidence, based on a comprehensive review of Davis's assets, income, and monthly expenses.

Workers' Compensation LawExtreme Financial HardshipPermanent Partial DisabilityPermanent Total DisabilityWage-Earning Capacity LossRedetermination RequestStatutory InterpretationAppellate DivisionBoard Decision AffirmationSocial Security Benefits
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Davis v. Hogan

The plaintiff, Davis, was expelled from a union and subsequently discharged by his employer, the defendant corporation. He alleged that his expulsion and discharge were unlawful, violating his rights under various statutes, including the State Labor Relations Act. A prior proceeding before the State Labor Relations Board found the corporation guilty of an unfair labor practice by discharging Davis but refused his reinstatement due to his own misconduct. On appeal, the court ruled that the plaintiff's claim falls under the Labor Relations Act, which provides a specific legal remedy through judicial review of the Board's decision. Since the plaintiff failed to pursue this appellate remedy, he cannot maintain a separate action in the Supreme Court. Consequently, the complaint against the defendant corporation was dismissed.

Labor DisputeUnfair Labor PracticeUnion ExpulsionWrongful DischargeCollective Bargaining AgreementState Labor Relations ActJudicial ReviewAdministrative DecisionDue Process ClaimsAppellate Procedure
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 14, 1991

Davis v. Pizzagalli Construction Co.

Plaintiff James M. Davis was injured after falling from scaffolding while employed by Arthur Barber, Jr., a subcontractor to Pizzagalli Construction Company, which was hired by Chemung County. Davis and his wife filed damage actions against the defendants, alleging negligence and violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240, and 241. Plaintiffs moved for partial summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240 (1), which imposes absolute liability for failure to provide proper protection for workers at risk due to elevation differentials. The Supreme Court denied the motion, but on appeal, the court found that Davis's uncontradicted testimony established a prima facie violation of Labor Law § 240 (1) as a scaffold board "kicked up" causing his fall. Defendants' mere speculation and the unwitnessed nature of the fall were deemed insufficient to rebut the prima facie showing, leading to the reversal of the lower court's order.

Scaffolding AccidentAbsolute LiabilityLabor Law § 240(1)Personal InjurySummary JudgmentContractor LiabilityOwner LiabilityWorkplace SafetyFall from HeightProximate Cause
References
13
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 03122 [138 AD3d 615]
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 26, 2016

Pareja v. Davis

The Appellate Division, First Department, reversed an order of the Supreme Court, New York County, which had denied the defendant's motion for summary judgment. The defendant, Anthony Davis, successfully argued for an exemption under Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) as an owner of a one or two-family dwelling who did not direct or control the work. Evidence showed Davis was living in England during renovations, and his agent lacked authority to direct construction methods. The plaintiff, Pablo Pareja, failed to present sufficient evidence to counter the defendant's prima facie entitlement to the homeowner's exemption, offering only unfounded speculation about commercial use of the property. Consequently, the defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted, and the complaint dismissed.

Labor Law ExemptionHomeowner's ExemptionSummary JudgmentAgency AuthorityDirection and ControlConstruction AccidentsAppellate ReviewPersonal InjuryPrima Facie EvidenceRespondent
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Martinez v. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Eunice Martinez sued her former employer, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, alleging discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and the New York State Human Rights Law. Martinez claimed she was denied promotions/upgrades, received discriminatory annual raises, and experienced retaliation for filing a charge with the EEOC. The court applied the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting analysis to her claims. It found Martinez failed to establish a prima facie case for failure to promote/upgrade due to insufficient evidence regarding comparable qualifications and job duties. Her claim of raise discrimination was also denied because her comparators held managerial positions, unlike her. Finally, the retaliation claim was dismissed as adverse job actions predated her protected activity. Consequently, Davis Polk's motion for summary judgment was granted.

DiscriminationRetaliationTitle VIISection 1981Summary JudgmentFailure to PromoteUnequal PayEEOC ComplaintMcDonnell Douglas TestEmployment Law
References
20
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Davis v. State of New York Department of Corrections

Plaintiff Melvin Davis, an African-American correction officer at Fishkill Correctional Facility, sued his employer DOCCS and coworkers Keith Canfield and James McAnney for hostile work environment under Title VII and § 1983, and for retaliation under Title VII. Davis alleged three incidents: a bag remnant and twine resembling a noose, a toy rat with a noose outside his apartment, and racist graffiti in the workplace restroom. The court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment, finding that the bag remnant did not objectively resemble a noose, the toy rat incident could not be attributed to the defendants, and DOCCS took appropriate remedial action regarding the graffiti. Consequently, the court concluded that the incidents were not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a hostile work environment, and the retaliation claim also failed due to lack of attributable adverse action.

DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentRetaliationSummary JudgmentCorrection OfficerWorkplace HarassmentRacial DiscriminationCivil RightsTitle VIISection 1983
References
52
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 03910 [239 AD3d 1454]
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 27, 2025

Matter of Davis (State of New York Off. of Mental Health)

Kristin Davis, a dental hygienist, was terminated by the State of New York Office of Mental Health for non-compliance with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate after her request for a reasonable accommodation was denied. An arbitrator upheld her termination, citing limited jurisdiction over accommodation denials. The Supreme Court, Erie County, subsequently vacated the arbitration award, deeming it against public policy and irrational, and ordered Davis's reinstatement. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, reversed the Supreme Court's order, affirming the arbitrator's decision. The Appellate Division clarified the limited scope of judicial review for arbitration awards, stating the lower court erred in vacating the award based on public policy or irrationality, and ultimately confirmed the arbitration award.

Arbitration AwardPublic PolicyCOVID-19 Vaccine MandateTermination of EmploymentReasonable AccommodationCPLR Article 75Judicial Review of ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementMisconductAppellate Review
References
9
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