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

Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 25151
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 01, 2025

Friends of Fort Greene Park v. New York City Parks & Recreation Dept.

This CPLR article 78 proceeding was brought by Friends of Fort Greene Park against the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, challenging the environmental review process for a renovation project in Fort Greene Park. Petitioner alleged that the Parks Department failed to take a "hard look" at adverse environmental impacts, improperly segmented environmental review, issued a conditional negative declaration, and used an arbitrary tree valuation tool. The court denied the petition, finding that the Parks Department complied with SEQRA and rationally applied its protocols. The court also addressed a novel claim under New York's Green Amendment, concluding it creates a self-executing substantive right but found no violation in this context, as the project was justified by important government interests and aimed for long-term environmental improvement.

Environmental ReviewSEQRACEQRGreen AmendmentConstitutional LawPublic Park RenovationTree RemovalHistoric PreservationJudicial ReviewArticle 78 Proceeding
References
38
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 00122 [146 AD3d 488]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 10, 2017

Nunez v. Park Plus, Inc.

Emilio Nunez was injured at a parking lot owned by DeSoto Parking, LLC, while employed by Little Man Parking, LLC, when a mechanical lift caused the amputation of his toe. DeSoto moved for summary judgment arguing the claim was barred by Workers' Compensation Law § 11, contending Nunez did not suffer a grave injury and was its special employee, and that there was a written indemnity agreement with Park Plus, Inc. The Supreme Court denied the motion. The Appellate Division affirmed the denial, agreeing Nunez did not suffer a grave injury, but found factual issues regarding DeSoto being an alter ego of Little Man Parking, LLC, and the existence of an indemnity agreement. It also concluded DeSoto failed to establish Nunez as a special employee.

Workers' CompensationGrave InjurySummary JudgmentAlter EgoIndemnification AgreementSpecial EmployeeToe AmputationPersonal InjuryAppellate ReviewParking Lot Accident
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Friends of Square v. Sadik-Khan

The petitioners initiated an Article 78 proceeding challenging the decision by the New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of New York to install a bike share station in Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Square Park. They contended that the installation violated the public trust doctrine and that the decision was arbitrary and capricious. The court determined that while the park is impliedly dedicated parkland, the bike share station serves a proper park purpose. Furthermore, the court found that the respondents' decision to site the station was rational, based on technical considerations and public input, and was not arbitrary or capricious. Consequently, the petition was denied and dismissed in its entirety.

Public Trust DoctrineParkland UseBike Share StationsArticle 78 PetitionAdministrative ReviewMunicipal PlanningUrban DevelopmentNew York LawEnvironmental PolicyCommunity Engagement
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lewis Family Farm, Inc. v. New York State Adirondack Park Agency

Lewis Family Farm (Lewis Farm) sought to build housing for farm workers in Essex County, within the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) asserted jurisdiction, issued a cease and desist order, and levied a $50,000 civil penalty, claiming the structures were 'single family dwellings' requiring a permit. Lewis Farm challenged this, contending the housing constituted 'agricultural use structures' exempt from APA jurisdiction under the Adirondack Park Agency Act and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act. The Supreme Court annulled the APA's determination, agreeing with Lewis Farm. The Appellate Division affirmed the Supreme Court's judgment, concluding that farmworker housing directly and customarily associated with agricultural use falls under the 'agricultural use structure' exemption, thus not requiring an APA permit.

Land UseAdirondack Park Agency ActAgricultural Use StructuresSingle Family DwellingsPermit RequirementsStatutory InterpretationCPLR Article 78Farmworker HousingZoning ExemptionEnvironmental Law
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 18, 2011

Brooklyn Heights Ass'n Inc. v. National Park Service

The plaintiffs (Brooklyn Heights Association, Inc. et al.) filed an action against defendants (National Park Service et al.) seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent alleged violations of federal and state law, specifically regarding the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCFA). The dispute centered on the National Park Service's (NPS) 2008 and 2011 decisions to revise the "6(f)(3) boundary map" for Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, which excluded the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores. Plaintiffs argued these revisions, made under the guise of correcting a "mistake," were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to LWCFA statutes and regulations, which mandate a conversion process for such changes after a grant closes. The court agreed with the plaintiffs, finding that the administrative record belied any claim of original mistake and that NPS lacked inherent authority to bypass the required conversion procedures. Consequently, the court granted the preliminary injunction, setting aside NPS's decisions, restoring the original boundary map, and enjoining any drilling or construction on the affected structures during the litigation.

Land and Water Conservation Fund ActPreliminary InjunctionAdministrative Procedure ActNational Park ServiceEnvironmental LawHistoric PreservationFederal RegulationsPublic Land UseStatutory InterpretationAgency Action Review
References
38
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 02965 [171 AD3d 567]
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 18, 2019

Matter of Community United to Protect Theodore Roosevelt Park v. City of New York

Petitioners challenged the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's approval of an addition to the American Museum of Natural History (Gilder Center), arguing that a Uniform Land-Use Review Procedure (ULURP) was not conducted and that environmental impacts (hazardous materials, construction noise) were not properly assessed under SEQRA and CEQR. The Supreme Court denied their petition, and the Appellate Division affirmed this decision. The Appellate Division found that ULURP was not required because the underlying property disposition and site selection occurred over a century ago. Furthermore, the court concluded that the Parks Department had taken a "hard look" at the environmental concerns, including addressing hazardous vapors and proposing mitigation measures for noise, thus satisfying its obligations under environmental review statutes.

Environmental ReviewULURPSEQRACEQRPark LandMuseum ExpansionPublic Land UseArticle 78 ProceedingAdministrative LawAppellate Review
References
6
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 00597 [191 AD3d 1048]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 04, 2021

Matter of King v. City of N.Y. Parks & Recreation

Claimant Dennis King had an established claim for a right knee injury since 1996, receiving awards until 1997. After knee surgery was re-authorized and performed in September 2017, the claimant sought post-surgery awards. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) initially determined in December 2017 that the case was truly closed, precluding further awards under Workers' Compensation Law § 123. The Workers' Compensation Board denied claimant's application for review in April 2018, affirming the WCLJ's decision. Subsequently, in May 2018, the WCLJ improperly rescinded his earlier decision and ordered post-surgery awards. The Board, upon review, found that the WCLJ lacked the authority to rescind his prior decision, as it had become the final decision of the Board, and the claimant had failed to pursue available administrative or judicial appellate remedies. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, holding that only the Board possesses continuing jurisdiction, not the WCLJ.

Workers' Compensation LawWCLJ AuthorityBoard JurisdictionCase ClosureAppellate ReviewContinuing JurisdictionTime-BarDecision RescissionFinality of DecisionAdministrative Remedies
References
6
Case No. 2025 NYSlipOp 07051
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 18, 2025

Matter of Rodin v. Department of Parks & Recreation

Daphyne Rodin appealed decisions from the Workers' Compensation Board concerning a schedule loss of use (SLU) award for her 2014 left shoulder injury. The Board initially denied her SLU award and subsequently denied her application for reconsideration and/or full Board review, affirming its finding that her resolved left shoulder strain was not amenable to an SLU award. Rodin challenged the Board's refusal to preclude the carrier's orthopedic consultant's medical report, arguing she was denied the opportunity for cross-examination. The Appellate Division affirmed both Board decisions, concluding that there was no abuse of discretion. This was due to the claimant's lack of reasonable efforts to timely request an extension to reschedule the deposition of the orthopedic consultant, thereby waiving her right to cross-examine.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UseLeft Shoulder InjuryMedical OpinionCross-Examination WaiverDeposition SubpoenaExtension RequestAppellate ReviewBoard Decision AffirmationMaximum Medical Improvement
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Inc. v. Serio

This CPLR article 78 proceeding reviewed a determination by the Superintendent of Insurance, dated January 29, 2003, which reclassified parking ramp cashiers of Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, Inc. (BCAR) from clerical "office employees" (Code 8810) to "automobile parking lot and drivers" (Code 8392) for workers’ compensation purposes. BCAR challenged this reclassification, arguing it was unsupported by substantial evidence and arbitrary and capricious, as their cashiers' duties were comparable to other clerical workers classified under Code 8810. The court found the Superintendent's determination lacked substantial evidence, noting no proof of increased hazard for BCAR cashiers compared to pari-mutuel clerks or bus terminal cashiers. The court also deemed the determination arbitrary and capricious due to inconsistent treatment of similarly situated cashiers. Consequently, the court vacated and annulled the Superintendent's determination and remanded the matter to the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board for further proceedings.

ReclassificationWorkers' Compensation InsuranceAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewCPLR Article 78Substantial EvidenceArbitrary and CapriciousInsurance LawClerical ClassificationParking Garage Industry
References
5
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03584
Regular Panel Decision
May 17, 2018

Matter of Smith v. Park

Alex K. Smith, a 14-year-old, died in a skid steer accident at Park Family Farm. His mother, Vicky S.T. Smith, as administrator, filed a claim for workers' compensation death benefits. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially awarded benefits, finding the decedent an illegally employed minor. The claimant challenged this, arguing the employer was uninsured. The Workers' Compensation Board confirmed coverage by the State Insurance Fund and increased the death benefit award to $100,000 under double indemnity provisions, with Park Family Farm solely responsible for the increased amount due to illegal employment. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, stating that a change in partnership composition did not invalidate the insurance policy.

Illegal EmploymentMinor Employee DeathWorkers' Compensation Death BenefitsInsurance Policy ValidityPartnership ChangeEmployer LiabilityDouble IndemnityAppellate ReviewFarm AccidentSkid Steer Accident
References
10
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