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

Case No. FRE 0147567
Significant
Jan 24, 2002

MARIA YOLANDA JIMENEZ vs. SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY LABOR, SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Board holds that an industrially injured seasonal employee's vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance (VRMA) should be calculated at two-tiered rates, reflecting in-season and off-season earning capacity, similar to temporary disability indemnity. The case is remanded to determine the applicant's off-season earning capacity.

Seasonal farm laborerVocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance (VRMA)Temporary Disability Indemnity (TDI)In-season earnings capacityOff-season earnings capacityAverage weekly earningsLabor Code section 139.5En banc decisionEarning capacity benchmarkTwo-tiered award
References
38
Case No. ADJ2440985 (EUR 0037746)
Regular
Mar 03, 2014

FRANK MCCOVEY vs. WAYNE BARE TRUCKING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the applicant's temporary disability rate. The applicant, a truck driver, sustained bilateral knee injuries in August 2003. The Board corrected the applicant's average weekly earnings during the logging season to $947.08, resulting in a temporary disability rate of $631.39 per week. Additionally, the off-season temporary disability rate was adjusted to the statutory minimum of $126.00 per week based on the applicant's limited off-season earnings. The established dates for the logging season, March 15 to December 15, were affirmed.

Wayne Bare TruckingState Compensation Insurance FundFrank McCoveyADJ2440985EUR 0037746Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardbilateral kneestemporary disabilityaverage weekly earnings
References
4
Case No. WCB Case No. G0789642
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 24, 2023

Matter of Molloy v. New York State Workers' Compensation Board

The claimant, Elizabeth Kempf, appealed a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) decision from October 31, 2022, regarding the calculation of her average weekly wage (AWW). The WCLJ found that the claimant was a seasonal worker and established her AWW based on earnings from the year prior to the accident, totaling $29,679.99, resulting in a temporary rate of $395.73. The claimant argued that her employment was not seasonal because she was prepared to work year-round and that her AWW should include concurrent earnings from a second job as a tax preparer. The Board Panel, after reviewing the evidence, affirmed the WCLJ's finding that the claimant's primary employment as a teacher's aide was seasonal and that her AWW calculation was correct, including only the wages from her seasonal employment due to the lack of evidence supporting a claim for concurrent employment.

Workers' CompensationAverage Weekly WageSeasonal EmploymentConcurrent EmploymentTeacher's AideWCLJ DecisionBoard Panel ReviewEarnings CalculationClaimant AppealWage Earning Capacity
References
2
Case No. ADJ4216095 (BAK 0149327)
Regular
Oct 25, 2010

ALICIA NUNEZ ARREOLA vs. SUNTREAT PACKING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns a seasonal worker who sustained an industrial injury to her right shoulder and cervical spine. The defendant sought reconsideration of the permanent disability rate awarded by the WCJ, arguing it was miscalculated for a seasonal employee. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the WCJ erred in calculating the rate by focusing solely on in-season earnings. The Board amended the award, establishing the permanent disability rate based on the applicant's actual annual earnings, which resulted in a lower rate than initially awarded.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardSeasonal workerTemporary disabilityPermanent disabilityStipulationLabor Code section 4453(c)(4)Earning capacityMontana
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gioia v. Cattaraugus County Nursing Home

The case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant's reduced earnings award. The claimant, a nurse's aide with a permanent partial disability from a back injury, had her weekly compensation rate adjusted by the Board to be based on her actual reduced earnings from her current job, rather than her degree of disability. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier appealed, arguing that the Board should have considered the claimant's capacity to earn more. The court affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that for claimants demonstrating labor market attachment, wage-earning capacity must be determined exclusively by actual earnings during disability, as evidence of capacity to earn more or less, including medical evidence of disability degree, is prohibited.

reduced earnings awardpermanent partial disabilitywage earning capacitylabor market attachmentactual earningsworkers' compensation lawappeal decisionjudicial reviewindependent medical examinationemployer appeal
References
6
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 02569 [237 AD3d 1160]
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 30, 2025

Delcid-Funez v. Seasons at E. Meadow Home Owners Assn.

The plaintiff, Edwin Delcid-Funez, suffered personal injuries after falling approximately 30 feet from a condominium roof while shoveling snow, which he was doing for his employer in response to a leak complaint. He initiated an action against Seasons at East Meadow Home Owners Association, Inc., and Einsidler Management, Inc., alleging a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1). Both the plaintiff and the defendants moved for summary judgment on the issue of liability. The Supreme Court denied both motions. The Appellate Division affirmed the Supreme Court's order, concluding that triable issues of fact remain regarding whether the plaintiff was engaged in an enumerated activity under Labor Law § 240 (1) and whether his actions constituted the sole proximate cause of his injuries.

Labor LawSafe Place to WorkSnow ShovelingRoof FallPersonal InjurySummary JudgmentLiabilityElevated Work SiteProximate CauseAppellate Review
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Finocchio v. W. A. White Underwear Corp.

The claimant, a sewing machine operator, sustained an injury in 1955 and was later found to have a permanent partial disability in 1963. In 1974, her employer ceased operations, leading to an inability to find new work. The Workers’ Compensation Board awarded benefits for reduced earnings, determining she remained in the labor market. The employer appealed, arguing that the reduced earnings were solely due to economic conditions. The appellate court reversed the Board's decision, finding insufficient proof that the claimant’s disability contributed to her reduced earnings after her employer went out of business, and remitted the case for further findings on the cause of the reduced earnings.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityReduced EarningsEconomic ConditionsCausationBurden of ProofAppellate ReviewRemittalWorkers' Compensation Board
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 22, 2015

Claim of Barrett v. New York City Department of Transportation

The case involves an appeal from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant injured in a 2011 work-related motor vehicle accident. A WCLJ classified the claimant with a permanent partial disability and a 25% loss of wage-earning capacity, ruling that he would be entitled to 250 weeks of benefits if his full wages ceased. The Board affirmed this, leading the employer to appeal, arguing that the claimant's current full wages meant a 100% wage-earning capacity, rendering the 25% loss finding unlawful. The court affirmed the Board’s decision, distinguishing between 'loss of wage-earning capacity' (fixed, for benefit duration) and 'wage-earning capacity' (fluctuating, for weekly rates).

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning CapacityLoss of Wage-Earning CapacityBenefit DurationAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationMotor Vehicle AccidentNew York Workers' Compensation BoardDisability Classification
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Ilovar v. Consolidated Edison

The claimant appealed a Workers’ Compensation Board decision from December 22, 2004, which found no causal relationship between his work-related asbestosis, diagnosed in 1999, and a loss of earnings. The claimant had retired in 1993, prior to his asbestosis diagnosis, and had not sought employment thereafter. The Board determined that his pre-existing withdrawal from the labor market meant he had no earnings to lose due to asbestosis. The appellate court affirmed this decision, concluding that there was no evidence to prove that the asbestosis caused any post-retirement loss of earnings, as the claimant had not worked or sought employment since 1993.

AsbestosisLoss of EarningsVoluntary WithdrawalPermanent Partial DisabilityOccupational DiseaseRetirement BenefitsCausal RelationshipAppellate ReviewBoard DecisionEvidence Sufficiency
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 29, 1999

Claim of Fisher v. Combined Life Insurance

In November 1995, the claimant suffered work-related injuries to his neck, back, and knee. He received workers' compensation benefits for total disability until January 5, 1996. Subsequently, the employer challenged his entitlement to partial disability benefits, asserting that the claimant had no reduced earnings after that date. The Workers' Compensation Board ultimately concluded that the claimant's wage earning capacity in 1996 surpassed his average weekly wage, thereby denying benefits post-January 5, 1996. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding sufficient evidence to support the factual determination that the claimant's 1996 income from self-employment constituted earnings rather than profits under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (5-a).

Workers' CompensationPartial DisabilityReduced EarningsWage Earning CapacitySelf-Employment IncomeProfits vs. EarningsBoard FindingsFactual IssuesCredibilityAppellate Review
References
3
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