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

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
Case No. ADJ8300983
Regular
Apr 28, 2014

ALBERTO CHICO vs. ONEMOR, INC., dba McDONALD'S, CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MUTUAL BENEFIT CORP.

The Appeals Board denied reconsideration for the Jacobs-represented lien claimants, upholding the disallowance of their liens due to a failure to prove industrial injury and insufficient evidence. However, the Board granted reconsideration for the Kauffman-represented lien claimants, rescinding the sanctions previously imposed. While agreeing that the Kauffman claimants also failed to prove injury, the Board found their conduct did not rise to the level of bad faith or frivolous tactics required for sanctions.

WCABlien claimantspetition for reconsiderationFindings and OrderOrder Overruling Objection and Imposing Sanctionsindustrial injuryprobative evidencesanctionsbad-faith actionsfrivolous
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Thomas v. Keystone Silver, Inc.

This case addresses a motion to dismiss a complaint filed under Section 16b of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The central issue is whether an ex-employee can initiate and maintain a representative action on behalf of other current employees who are members of a rival union, particularly when these employees did not consent to the action and it proceeds against their will. The court ruled that such a representative action cannot be sustained under these circumstances, citing concerns about consent, interests of the represented parties, and public policy. The motion was granted to strike all allegations pertaining to the representative character of the action, except for Harry Orfinger's individual claim.

Fair Labor Standards ActRepresentative ActionLegal Capacity to SueMotion to DismissEx-EmployeeUnion RepresentationClass ActionMultiplicity of ActionsPublic PolicyEmployee Rights
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 03, 2009

Board of Education of Deer Park Union Free School District v. Deer Park Teachers' Ass'n

Regina Moraitis was appointed as a computer teacher by the Deer Park Union Free School District, despite applying for a different role, and was later tenured. Her employment was terminated when the District abolished her position, claiming her initial appointment was a mistake. The Deer Park Teachers’ Association, representing Moraitis, filed a grievance and demanded arbitration under their collective bargaining agreement, alleging a contract violation. The Board of Education sought to permanently stay arbitration, arguing Moraitis's position was outside the bargaining unit. The Supreme Court denied the petition, and the appellate court affirmed, holding the dispute was arbitrable based on the collective bargaining agreement's clear arbitration provisions.

ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementPublic Sector EmploymentTeacher TenureSchool DistrictGrievanceStay of ArbitrationContract InterpretationBargaining UnitAppellate Review
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Guardianship of Lebron

This case involves an appeal concerning the permanent neglect of a child, Jason, placed in foster care in 1982 due to his parents' eviction and drug addiction. The Family Court found permanent neglect but dismissed the petitions, ruling the petitioner agency failed to demonstrate diligent efforts to strengthen the parental relationship. The appellate court affirmed the finding of permanent neglect, agreeing that the parents failed to plan for Jason's future or maintain regular contact. However, the court reversed the Family Court's finding on diligent efforts, concluding that the petitioner agency had, in fact, met its burden of proving diligent efforts despite the parents' chronic drug addiction and lack of cooperation. The court emphasized that an agency is not a guarantor of an uncooperative parent's success.

Permanent NeglectChild WelfareFoster CareParental RightsDiligent EffortsDrug AddictionRehabilitation ProgramsFamily Court AppealSocial Services LawParental Responsibility
References
9
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 00340
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 17, 2019

Matter of Walker (Read)

The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed an order confirming an arbitration award that granted a 2% wage increase to firefighters represented by the Plattsburgh Permanent Fireman's Association. The City of Plattsburgh, designated as a fiscally eligible municipality, challenged the award, arguing it violated public policy by exacerbating its financial distress and exceeded the arbitration panel's authority. The court, however, found no strong and well-defined public policy precluding the award. It noted that the arbitration panel had complied with Civil Service Law § 209 by assigning the required 70% weight to the municipality's ability to pay. The court declined to reweigh statutory factors or engage in extensive fact-finding, concluding there was no basis to vacate the arbitration award on public policy grounds.

Arbitration AwardWage DisputePublic Sector LaborCollective BargainingFiscal DistressMunicipal FinancePublic Policy ExceptionAppellate ReviewCivil Service LawFirefighters Union
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Harrington v. L.C. Whitford Co.

The claimant, a construction worker, experienced a severe exacerbation of pre-existing asthma after exposure to burning lead paint fumes in June 1996. A certified pulmonologist, Richard Evans, determined the exposure caused a permanent and total disability. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) found an accidental injury causing permanent and total disability, which the Workers' Compensation Board affirmed in August 2001. The employer and carrier appealed, arguing the condition was pre-existing and only temporarily aggravated. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence to support that the work-site exposure significantly exacerbated the claimant's stabilized asthma, leading to a permanent and total disability.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Total DisabilityAsthma ExacerbationOccupational ExposureLead Paint FumesPre-existing ConditionMedical Expert TestimonySubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewIndustrial Accident
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of VanDermark v. Frontier Insurance

In this workers' compensation appeal, the employer and its carrier challenged two decisions by the Workers’ Compensation Board concerning a claimant's permanent total disability. The claimant sustained a back injury in 1998 and was initially found to have a permanent partial disability. However, the Board later modified the award, concluding the claimant had a permanent total disability after August 2004, a finding supported by the testimony of her treating orthopedic surgeon despite conflicting medical evidence. The employer also contested the denial of their applications for reconsideration and/or full Board review, arguing insufficient evidence and an abuse of discretion. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decisions, deferring to its resolution of conflicting medical evidence and finding no arbitrary or capricious action in denying reconsideration, as no new evidence was presented.

Workers' Compensation LawPermanent Total DisabilityPermanent Partial DisabilityMedical EvidenceConflicting Medical OpinionsBoard's DiscretionReconsideration ApplicationFull Board ReviewAppellate ReviewSufficiency of Evidence
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Williams v. Preferred Meal Systems

Claimant, a driver, suffered injuries to his right knee and back in 2009 while making a delivery, leading to an established workers' compensation claim. The claim was later amended to include consequential adjustment disorder, and the Workers' Compensation Board ultimately found that claimant had sustained a permanent total disability from May 2012 onward. The employer, workers’ compensation carrier, and policy administrator appealed this decision, arguing that further proof was needed regarding claimant's vocational and functional capacity. The court affirmed the Board's decision, holding that extensive evidence of vocational and functional capacity is not required when medical proof demonstrates a permanent total disability and inability to engage in any gainful employment, as benefits continue for life in such cases. The court found substantial evidence in the opinions of treating and independent medical examination orthopedists to support the finding of permanent total disability.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Total DisabilityWage-Earning CapacityMedical ProofVocational CapacityFunctional CapacityAppellate ReviewNew York LawDisability BenefitsClaimant Rights
References
4
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 05774
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 30, 2017

Matter of Jessica U. (Stephanie U.)

The Chemung County Department of Social Services initiated proceedings to terminate Stephanie U.'s parental rights, alleging permanent neglect of her six children. Following a lengthy fact-finding hearing, the Family Court found five children permanently neglected, returned the oldest to the mother's care, ordered a one-year suspended judgment for two, and terminated parental rights for the three youngest children. Stephanie U. appealed this decision, challenging both the finding of permanent neglect and the termination of parental rights. The Appellate Division affirmed the Family Court's order, concluding that the Department had made diligent efforts to strengthen the parental relationship and that the mother had failed to adequately plan for her children's future. The court also determined that the termination of parental rights for the three youngest children was in their best interests, noting their stability in preadoptive homes.

Permanent NeglectParental Rights TerminationDiligent EffortsChild CustodyFamily LawAppellate ReviewBest Interests of ChildrenFoster CareSuspended JudgmentSocial Services
References
10
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