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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 07965
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 07, 2019

Matter of DiFalco (Gannett Satellite Info. Network, Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)

Claimant Kristin DiFalco sought unemployment insurance benefits after ceasing residential newspaper delivery services for Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. The Department of Labor initially determined an employment relationship existed, making Gannett liable for additional unemployment insurance contributions and DiFalco eligible for benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board affirmed this decision. Gannett subsequently appealed to the Appellate Division, Third Department, arguing for an independent contractor relationship. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decisions, finding substantial evidence in the record to support the determination of an employer-employee relationship, consistent with prior rulings on similar cases involving newspaper publishers and delivery workers.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployment RelationshipIndependent ContractorNewspaper DeliveryAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceLabor LawUnemployment Insurance Appeal BoardEmployer LiabilityNew York State
References
10
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 00210 [157 AD3d 1093]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 11, 2018

Matter of Minefee (United Stas. Radio Networks, Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)

This case concerns Delance Minefee's claim for unemployment insurance benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board determined that United Stations Radio Networks, Inc. was liable for contributions, ruling that 'callers' were statutory employees under Labor Law § 511 (1) (b) (1-a) as persons engaged in the performing arts. The Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed this decision. The court found the Board's interpretation of the statute irrational, clarifying that the individual's services, not the overall artistic endeavor, must require artistic or technical skill. As the callers' services lacked such skill, the statutory presumption of employment was not met. The matter was remitted to the Board to assess whether a common-law employer-employee relationship existed.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployer-Employee RelationshipPerforming ArtsStatutory EmployeeLabor Law InterpretationAppellate DivisionReversed and RemittedRadio BroadcastingArtistic SkillTechnical Skill
References
2
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 06400 [233 AD3d 1307]
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 19, 2024

Matter of Shmulsky v. Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Inc.

Claimant Katherine Shmulsky sought workers' compensation benefits for dysautonomia, alleging it was a causally-related injury from a COVID-19 vaccination received in December 2020 while employed by Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Inc. Although a Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially established the claim, the Board reversed, finding that claimant failed to demonstrate her injuries arose out of and in the course of her employment, as the vaccination was encouraged but not mandated by the employer, with no repercussions for refusal. Claimant's application for reconsideration was denied. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed both Board decisions, concluding that the Board's determination was supported by substantial evidence.

Workers' CompensationCOVID-19 VaccineCausally Related InjuryScope of EmploymentAdverse ReactionDysautonomiaEmployer PolicyVoluntary VaccinationAppellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 22, 1984

Barnhardt v. Hudson Valley District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds

The plaintiff, injured in May 1978 during maintenance work, was denied workers' compensation due to the absence of an employer-employee relationship. Subsequently, he sought reimbursement for medical expenses from the Hudson Valley District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds (Benefit Funds) through a union insurance policy. Continental Assurance Company (Continental), Benefit Funds' insurer, rejected the claim, citing an employment-related injury exclusion in the policy. The plaintiff then initiated an action against Benefit Funds, which in turn filed a third-party action against Continental seeking indemnification. Continental's motion for summary judgment, asserting the exclusion, was denied by the County Court. The appellate court affirmed this denial, ruling that the exclusionary language was ambiguous and applied only in cases where a clear employer-employee relationship existed, a fact still to be determined.

Insurance Policy InterpretationEmployment StatusWorkers' Compensation ExclusionSummary Judgment MotionContractual AmbiguityGroup Health InsuranceMedical Expense ReimbursementThird-Party ActionAppellate ReviewEmployer-Employee Relationship
References
10
Case No. ADJ724329 (LAO 0863195)
Regular
Jan 28, 2010

BRAMBILA vs. VONS, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration to MH Express Pharmacy. The lien claimant sought additional payment for medications provided to the applicant, arguing they were prescribed by MPN physicians. However, the employer had established a Pharmacy Benefit Network (PBN) before the applicant's injury, and the lien claimant was not part of this network. The Board found the lien claimant misrepresented the record by claiming the PBN contract was not in evidence, and affirmed the denial of further payment for medications dispensed outside the PBN.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantPharmacy Benefit NetworkMedical Provider NetworkFindings and OrderReconsiderationLabor Code section 4600.2(a)Compromise and ReleaseOfficial Medical Fee ScheduleBad Faith Tactics
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Cook v. Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp.

The Trustees of the Local 852 General Warehouseman’s Union Pension Fund sued the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) seeking reimbursement for pension benefits paid to retirees of two closed warehouses. The Fund argued for recovery based on equitable estoppel, asserting detrimental reliance on an initial PBGC determination that it would guarantee these benefits. The PBGC moved for summary judgment, contending that estoppel against a federal agency requires a showing of affirmative misconduct or manifest injustice. The Court found no evidence of affirmative misconduct by the PBGC and concluded that its change in determination, made to conform with Congressional intent, did not constitute manifest injustice. Consequently, the Court granted the PBGC's motion for summary judgment, ruling that equitable estoppel was inapplicable.

Equitable EstoppelFederal Agency EstoppelSummary JudgmentERISAPension BenefitsMulti-employer PlanPension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC)Affirmative MisconductManifest InjusticeDetrimental Reliance
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Jeffries v. Pension Trust Fund of the Pension, Hospitalization & Benefit Plan of the Electrical Industry

Plaintiff Claude Jeffries, a retired electrician, sued the Pension Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry under ERISA, seeking to include pension credits from 1969-1975 in his current benefits. He alleged the Plan should have declared a partial termination during a 1975-1979 New York recession, which would have vested his benefits. The defendant moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing lack of standing and statute of limitations, while plaintiff moved for class certification for similarly affected members. The court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss the claim for benefits, finding it timely, but granted dismissal for the breach of fiduciary duty claim as time-barred. The plaintiff's motion for class certification was denied due to insufficient evidence for numerosity, with leave to refile after discovery.

ERISAPension BenefitsClass CertificationMotion to DismissStatute of LimitationsFiduciary DutyPartial TerminationBenefit ForfeitureUnemploymentLabor Union
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Innoviant Pharmacy, Inc. v. Morganstern

Innoviant Pharmacy, Inc. sued its former sales executive, Max Morganstern, for unfair competition and breach of a non-compete agreement after he joined a competitor, Summit Pharmacy, Inc., and solicited Innoviant's customer referral sources. Innoviant sought a preliminary injunction to prevent Morganstern from contacting 114 key New York referral sources. The court found Innoviant unlikely to succeed on its breach of contract claim because the employment agreement was deemed unenforceable due to a later signed document. However, the court found Innoviant likely to succeed on its unfair competition claim, as Morganstern misappropriated a list of potential referral sources and business cards. Consequently, the court granted the preliminary injunction, restraining Morganstern from contacting the specified referral sources until February 24, 2006, conditioned on Innoviant posting a $100,000 security bond.

Preliminary InjunctionUnfair CompetitionBreach of ContractNon-compete ClauseTrade SecretsCustomer ListsConfidential InformationEmployment AgreementSales ExecutiveReferral Sources
References
50
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 11, 2004

Claim of Frank v. New York City Transit Authority

This case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision that found a causal relationship between a decedent's death and his employment. The employer engaged in prolonged retaliatory and harassing conduct, including unjustifiably withholding differential pay, threatening to revoke medical benefits, refusing to reimburse pharmacy expenses, denying vacation leave, and filing a false claim of absence without leave. This behavior, alongside repeated failures to substantiate claims regarding benefit overpayments, led to prolonged hearings. Following one such hearing, the decedent suffered a fatal myocardial infarction. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Board subsequently found a causal connection between the employer's conduct and the decedent's death. The Appellate Court affirmed the Board's determination, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding that the death resulted from the employer's "prolonged pattern of intimidation, deceit, and unlawful coercion, the wrongful withholding of benefits to which decedent was entitled, and generally disgraceful conduct towards the decedent." The employer's claims regarding witness preclusion were dismissed as not properly before the court.

Workers' CompensationCausationEmployer RetaliationStress-Related DeathMyocardial InfarctionBenefits WithholdingAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceProcedural IssuesUnjustified Conduct
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Tagare v. NYNEX Network Systems Co.

Plaintiff Neil Tagare filed an action against NYNEX entities and several individuals, alleging discrimination based on color and national origin, retaliation under Title VII and the New York Human Rights Law, and breach of contract. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on various grounds, including Rule 17(a) regarding real party in interest and ripeness for the contract claim, and the applicability of Title VII and HRL to individual defendants. The court denied dismissal for breach of contract against NYNEX Network Systems Company and upheld HRL claims against individual defendants based on aiding and abetting. The court granted dismissal of Title VII claims against individual defendants and partially granted dismissal of the breach of contract claim against other defendants, while denying the motion for a more definite statement.

Employment DiscriminationNational Origin DiscriminationColor DiscriminationRetaliationBreach of ContractMotion to DismissTitle VIINew York Human Rights LawFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureIndividual Liability
References
31
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