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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. v. New York State Office of Mental Health

Petitioners, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA) and Richard McPhillips, challenged an emergency regulation by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) that mandated unvaccinated personnel in psychiatric facilities wear face masks during influenza season, arguing it was arbitrary and capricious. The Supreme Court dismissed their application, leading to this appeal. The Appellate Division determined the case was not moot, as the subsequently adopted permanent regulation presented the same alleged infirmities. On the merits, the court upheld the regulation, granting OMH significant judicial deference due to its expertise. OMH's decision was based on Department of Health expertise, its own assessment of patient vulnerability, and the efficacy of masks. The court found that OMH adequately addressed concerns regarding communication and role modeling, and reasonably justified exemptions for visitors and attorneys. The judgment dismissing the petition was affirmed.

RegulationsPublic HealthMandatory MasksInfluenzaPsychiatric FacilitiesWorkers' RightsAdministrative LawJudicial DeferenceMootnessCPLR Article 78
References
9
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 01291 [169 AD3d 1240]
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 21, 2019

Matter of Logan C. (John C.)

This case involves an appeal by John C. from orders of the Family Court of Schuyler County, which adjudicated his children, Logan C. and another, to be permanently neglected and terminated his parental rights. The children were initially removed from respondent's custody after the daughter sustained severe injuries, leading to findings of abuse and neglect. Despite petitioner Schuyler County Department of Social Services' diligent efforts to provide services like mental health counseling and parent education, respondent failed to adequately plan for the children's future or address the underlying issues, including failing to engage in consistent mental health treatment and parent education, and maintaining contact with the caretaker responsible for the daughter's injuries. The Appellate Division, Third Department, found ample support for the Family Court's determination of permanent neglect and affirmed the termination of respondent's parental rights, concluding it was in the children's best interests given their progress in foster care and respondent's lack of substantial improvement. The court dismissed the appeal from the fact-finding order as non-dispositional, but reviewed the issues in conjunction with the appeals from the dispositional orders.

Parental Rights TerminationChild NeglectChild AbuseAppellate ReviewFamily LawSocial Services LawDiligent EffortsReunification PlanBest Interests of ChildrenPsychological Evaluation
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mental Hygiene Legal Service v. Maul

The Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), represented by its director Bruce Dix, petitioned the court to compel Thomas Maul, Commissioner of OMRDD, and Joseph Colarusso, Director of Sunmount DDSO, to provide access to investigative files regarding an incident involving resident Lynnette T. MHLS argued its statutory mandate under Mental Hygiene Law § 47.03 required access to safeguard residents from abuse. Respondents contended the records were protected from disclosure under Education Law § 6527 (3) and Mental Hygiene Law § 29.29, which prioritize confidentiality for quality assurance and incident investigations. The court, however, distinguished between CPLR Article 31 discovery and MHLS's specific statutory right of access. The court ruled that the statutes cited by the respondents did not prohibit disclosure to MHLS, granting MHLS access to the requested investigative reports and underlying documentation, with the stipulation that MHLS maintain their confidentiality.

Mental Hygiene LawAccess to RecordsCPLR Article 78Investigative FilesPatient RightsConfidentialityAbuse and MistreatmentState FacilitiesOMRDDSunmount DDSO
References
1
Case No. ADJ6854571
Regular
Oct 08, 2018

TED HIRSCHBERGER vs. STOCKWELL HARRIS WOOLVERTON AND MUEHL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer, in max four sentences: The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, overturning the WCJ's apportionment of permanent disability. The Board found that the applicant's industrial psyche injury aggravated Parkinson's disease, causing brain injury and permanent mental incapacity. This condition conclusively presumes total permanent disability under Labor Code section 4662(a)(4), precluding apportionment. Therefore, the applicant is found totally permanently disabled without apportionment.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings And AwardIndustrial InjuryPsycheParkinson's DiseasePermanent DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 4662(a)(4)Conclusive Presumption
References
13
Case No. ADJ9088316
Regular
Sep 20, 2022

FRANKLIN OLIVER vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, ESIS

This case involves a former professional athlete claiming permanent total disability due to a progressive brain injury. The Appeals Board affirmed a 98% permanent disability award but will reserve jurisdiction for future reassessment due to the insidious and progressive nature of the applicant's condition, as per the *Jackson* doctrine. The Board rejected the claim for conclusive presumption of permanent total disability under Labor Code section 4662(a)(4), finding insufficient evidence of permanent mental incapacity based on medical opinions. Further, temporary disability benefits were denied as the applicant was employed post-football career until retirement.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFranklin OliverTampa Bay BuccaneersESISAdjudication Number ADJ9088316ReconsiderationFindings and AwardProfessional AthleteOccupational Group 590California Subject Matter Jurisdiction
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hale v. New York State Department of Mental Health

Curtis Hale, Jr. initiated an action under Title VII, alleging racial discrimination after his termination as a Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide at the Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center. He claimed the Civil Service Employee Association failed to provide adequate representation and the New York State Department of Mental Health breached contractual obligations. The court, treating the State's motion to dismiss as one for summary judgment, found Hale's Title VII claims time-barred. His EEOC complaint was filed beyond the 180 or 300-day statutory limitations period, which commenced from the notice of termination (December 8, 1978), not the actual discharge date. Additionally, the court determined it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over Hale’s state law breach of contract claim against the State, citing an absence of diversity and no federal question under the Labor Management Relations Act. Consequently, the court granted the State’s motion, dismissing the complaint against the New York State Department of Mental Health.

Racial DiscriminationTitle VIIEmployment TerminationStatute of LimitationsSummary JudgmentBreach of ContractSubject Matter JurisdictionPendent JurisdictionEleventh AmendmentCivil Service
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 05, 2001

In re Trebor UU.

Respondent, the mother of two sons, Trebor (born in 1992) and Tahran (born in 1994), appealed an order from the Family Court of Clinton County which terminated her parental rights on the grounds of mental illness. The children had been in the care and custody of the petitioner since December 1998, following a prior finding of neglect. In October 2000, the petitioner filed a petition to terminate parental rights. The Family Court determined that respondent suffered from a mental illness, as defined by Social Services Law § 384-b (6) (a), rendering her unable to provide proper and adequate care for her children for the present and foreseeable future. Respondent challenged the expert testimony's methodology and the sufficiency of evidence regarding her future incapacity. The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court's order, finding that the expert testimony was sufficiently based and that there was clear and convincing evidence that respondent's mental illness prevented her from caring for her children, despite conflicting expert opinions on future improvement.

Parental Rights TerminationMental Illness (Parent)Family Court ActSocial Services LawExpert TestimonyClinical PsychologyPersonality DisorderAppellate DecisionChild WelfareForeseeability
References
8
Case No. ADJ7449576
Regular
May 11, 2016

MANNY WINNINGHAM vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

This case concerns an applicant seeking total permanent disability benefits based on a brain injury. The applicant argued for conclusive total disability under Labor Code section 4662(a)(4) due to permanent mental incapacity. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that while the applicant suffered serious psychiatric impairments leading to overall total disability, the specific cognitive impairments did not meet the threshold for the *conclusive* presumption of total disability under section 4662(a)(4). Therefore, apportionment was still applicable, and the previous award of $84\%$ permanent disability was upheld.

Permanent total disabilityLabor Code section 4662(a)(4)Conclusive presumptionApportionmentBrain injuryPermanent mental incapacityGlobal Assessment of Functioning ScaleCognitive impairmentPsychiatric impairmentCorrectional officer
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Victor WW.

This case involves an appeal from a Family Court order in Schenectady County that dismissed a petition to adjudicate the respondent's twin children as permanently neglected. The children were removed from the mother's care in 2008 after being injured by her paramour, and she admitted neglect due to untreated mental illness. The petitioner initiated permanent neglect proceedings in March 2011. The Family Court found that while the petitioner made diligent efforts, it failed to prove the mother did not plan for her children's future. The appellate court reviewed the decision, noting that Family Court did not fully address the domestic violence risk. However, the record shows the mother eventually completed a domestic violence program and ceased contact with the paramour, demonstrating meaningful steps to address the conditions leading to removal. The appellate court affirmed the Family Court's order, concluding that there was no clear and convincing proof that the mother substantially and continuously failed to plan for her children's future.

Permanent NeglectParental Rights TerminationChild WelfareDomestic Violence AwarenessMental Health TreatmentFamily Court AppealAppellate Division ReviewDiligent Efforts by AgencyParental Planning FailureSocial Services Law 384-b
References
14
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 05367 [174 AD3d 1017]
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 03, 2019

Matter of City of Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh Permanent Firemen's Assn.)

The City of Plattsburgh, the appellant, appealed an order from the Supreme Court that denied its application to permanently stay arbitration with the Plattsburgh Permanent Firemen's Association. The dispute originated from a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which stipulated a minimum staffing level of 36 firefighters and prohibited layoffs. When a firefighter retired, reducing the staff to 35, the City refused to fill the vacancy, citing financial reasons, leading the Firemen's Association to demand arbitration. The Supreme Court denied the City's application to stay arbitration and granted the Association's motion to compel. The Appellate Division reversed this decision, ruling that the disputed CBA provision was a job security clause. The court found that this clause did not explicitly demonstrate the City's intent to waive its right to reduce staffing for budgetary or economic reasons, thus violating public policy and rendering the dispute non-arbitrable. A concurring opinion further noted that the clause also violated public policy due to its unreasonable duration.

ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementJob Security ClausePublic PolicyStaffing LevelsFirefighters UnionBudgetary ConstraintsAppellate DivisionCPLR Article 75Stay Arbitration
References
8
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