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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

Berweger v. County of Orange

Plaintiffs Lurana M. Berweger and Susan E. Menon, nurses at the Orange County Correctional Facility, sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for wrongful termination, alleging retaliation for criticizing the County’s Department of Mental Health's (DMH) inadequate inmate medical care. They also brought a state claim under New York State Labor Law § 740. The defendants included the County of Orange, County Executive Joseph G. Rampe, Commissioner of Mental Health Chris Ashman, County Attorney Richard Golden, and their private employer, Eastern Health Care Group, Inc. (EHG). The court granted summary judgment for Ashman and Golden on the § 1983 claims, citing lack of evidence, but denied it for Rampe, EHG, and the County due to remaining factual disputes regarding Rampe's involvement and EHG's potential state actor status. All state whistleblower claims were dismissed as plaintiffs complained about a third party (DMH), not their direct employer. EHG's motion for attorneys' fees and Rule 11 sanctions was denied, as Menon's claim was not deemed frivolous.

Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. § 1983)Whistleblower ProtectionWrongful TerminationSummary JudgmentFirst AmendmentMunicipal LiabilityState Actor DoctrineIndependent Contractor LiabilityCorrectional HealthcareOrange County
References
27
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

O'Toole v. County of Orange

Marianne T. O’Toole, as bankruptcy trustee for Mary Bea Fratto, sued the County of Orange for sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII. Fratto, a former corrections officer, alleged she faced rumors of a sexual relationship with a sergeant and subsequently experienced retaliation, including scrutiny of her performance and eventual termination, after filing a formal harassment complaint. The County of Orange moved to dismiss the entire complaint. The court denied the motion, ruling that the plaintiff provided plausible factual content to support both gender discrimination and retaliation claims, meeting the required minimal inference of discriminatory intent and adverse action. Thus, the case can proceed to further litigation.

DiscriminationRetaliationTitle VIIEmployment LawSex DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentMotion to DismissPleading StandardsFederal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 12(b)(6)United States District Court
References
34
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pierre v. Crown Fire Protection Corp.

This case involves appeals by Crown Fire Protection Corp. and PEM All Fire Extinguisher Corp. from a Supreme Court order denying their motions for summary judgment to dismiss a wrongful death complaint asserted against them. The New York City Transit Authority also cross-appealed the denial of its motion for summary judgment seeking to dismiss third-party complaints filed against it. The appellate court dismissed the appeals of Crown and PEM as withdrawn. Furthermore, the order was modified to grant the Transit Authority's cross-motion for summary judgment, thereby dismissing the third-party complaint of Crown Fire Protection Corp. The court determined that Crown's work, which involved delivery and installation of fire extinguisher devices, did not fall under the categories described in General Obligations Law § 5-322.1. Finally, the decision clarified that a recent amendment to Workers' Compensation Law § 11, which limits third-party suits against employers, would not be applied retroactively to pending actions.

Wrongful Death DamagesSummary Judgment DenialThird-Party IndemnificationGeneral Obligations Law ViolationsWorkers' Compensation AmendmentsStatutory Non-RetroactivityContractual IndemnityConstruction vs. InstallationAppellate ModificationDismissal of Appeals
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Erie County Water Authority v. Kramer

The Erie County Water Authority initiated an Article 78 proceeding to prevent the New York State Labor Relations Board from asserting jurisdiction over an unfair labor practice complaint. The Authority, a state agency, argued its exemption from the New York State Labor Relations Act, despite a provision in the Public Authorities Law stating it is an 'employer.' The court reviewed relevant labor and civil service laws, as well as prior case law concerning state agencies and collective bargaining. Ultimately, the court determined that the Authority, as an agency of the state, falls under the exemptions of Labor Law Section 715, thus not subject to the collective bargaining requirements of Article 20 of the Labor Law. Therefore, the application to enjoin the Board's actions was granted due to lack of jurisdiction.

Article 78Civil Practice ActPublic Authorities LawLabor LawState AgencyUnfair Labor PracticeCollective BargainingJurisdiction DisputeErie County Water AuthorityNew York State Labor Relations Board
References
4
Case No. 09-CV-8140 (KMK)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 31, 2011

In Re Dayton

Plaintiffs Michael Dayton and Barbara Nieves, individually and as guardian for their five infant children, brought action against the City of Middletown, its police officers, Orange County, and the Department of Social Services Orange County (DSS) alleging federal and state law violations. The claims stemmed from a November 2008 incident involving an alleged attack by a felon and subsequent police actions, followed by Family Court proceedings where neglect findings were entered against the parents. The court granted DSS's motion to dismiss with prejudice, finding it not a suable entity. Motions to dismiss the federal § 1983 Monell claims against Middletown and Orange County were granted without prejudice due to insufficient pleading of a municipal policy. State law claims against Orange County were dismissed without prejudice due to untimely notice of claim for adult plaintiffs, with infant claims requiring state court application. Claims arising from the Family Court's neglect finding and protective order were dismissed with prejudice under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, but other allegations regarding Orange County's conduct during Family Court proceedings survived. The Middletown Officers' motion for summary judgment was denied without prejudice, citing insufficient factual inconsistencies for dismissal prior to discovery. Plaintiffs were given thirty days to file a Second Amended Complaint.

Civil Rights ViolationsFourth AmendmentEighth AmendmentFourteenth Amendment42 U.S.C. § 1983Motion to DismissSummary JudgmentRooker-Feldman doctrineMonell claimFailure to Train
References
98
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 05995 [142 AD3d 1003]
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 14, 2016

Matter of Carver v. Nassau County Interim Fin. Auth.

This case addresses a challenge to wage freezes imposed by the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) on Nassau County employees. NIFA was established to manage the County's fiscal crisis and declared a

Wage FreezeFiscal CrisisNassau County Interim Finance AuthorityPublic Authorities LawCollective Bargaining AgreementsCPLR Article 78 ProceedingStatutory InterpretationAppellate DivisionControl PeriodInterim Finance Period
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Orange v. County of Suffolk

Plaintiffs, former and current Suffolk County Civil Service employees, sued Suffolk County, its County Executive, and legislators under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for alleged politically motivated adverse employment actions. Defendants moved to dismiss federal claims based on immunity and state claims on statute of limitations. The court granted in part and denied in part, holding individual defendants absolutely immune for legislative acts (voting for a resolution abolishing positions and the executive signing it). Claims against officials in their official capacity were dismissed as redundant to the County. The court retained jurisdiction over the state law claim and dismissed the conspiracy claim with leave to amend, denying attorney's fees to defendants.

Civil Rights42 U.S.C. 1983First AmendmentFourteenth AmendmentPolitical Affiliation DiscriminationLegislative ImmunityAbsolute ImmunityMotion to DismissSuffolk CountyDepartment of Social Services
References
35
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 01, 1996

Sormani v. Orange County Community College

The plaintiff, a student and part-time employee at Orange County Community College, filed an action seeking damages for negligence and sex discrimination, alleging sexual harassment by a coach. The Supreme Court partially denied the defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment. On appeal, the order was reversed. The appellate court ruled that the negligence claim was barred by the Workers’ Compensation Law as the plaintiff's exclusive remedy, rejecting the dual-capacity doctrine. The sex discrimination claim was also dismissed due to the plaintiff's failure to timely inform the employer of the conduct and lack of evidence demonstrating employer acquiescence or a supervisory relationship.

NegligenceSex DiscriminationSexual HarassmentSummary JudgmentWorkers' Compensation LawExclusive RemedyDual-Capacity DoctrineExecutive Law 296Title VII Civil Rights ActHostile Work Environment
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Vazquez v. Orange County Rehabilitation Center

Plaintiff's ward was allegedly sexually assaulted by defendant Lewis while engaged in piecework at a sheltered workshop operated by Occupations. Defendants Occupations and Lewis asserted workers' compensation coverage as affirmative defenses. The court held that claims occurring before July 22, 1989, when Mental Hygiene Law § 33.09 (c) excluded sheltered workshop participants from workers' compensation, are not subject to the defense. For claims after July 22, 1989, when the law was amended to allow coverage if elected, the issue of workers' compensation coverage is referred to the Workers' Compensation Board. Defendant Orange County Department of Mental Health's motion for summary judgment was granted due to lack of evidence linking them to the incident or supervision of Occupations.

sexual assaultsheltered workshopworkers' compensationsummary judgmentaffirmative defensestatutory constructionjurisdictionMental Hygiene Lawamendmentnegligence
References
11
Case No. ADJ9813773
Regular
Apr 04, 2019

Christina Eastland vs. Orange County Transportation Authority

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted removal to the defendant, Orange County Transportation Authority. This decision rescinded a prior Minute Order that compelled depositions over the defendant's objection. The Board found the Minute Order violated the defendant's due process rights by failing to provide adequate notice that employee witness depositions, rather than QME depositions, would be addressed. Therefore, the case is returned to the trial level for proper notice and an evidentiary hearing.

Petition for RemovalDue ProcessMinute OrderWCJEmployee Witness DepositionsDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedStatus ConferenceObjection and Motion to QuashProtective OrderOrder to Quash
References
12
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