Matter of Fonseca v. Platinum Carpentry Inc.
Claimant, a carpenter, sustained work-related injuries while employed by Platinum Carpentry Inc. Platinum had a contract with Cornerstone Underwriters, LLC, a professional employer organization (PEO), to provide workers' compensation coverage through United Wisconsin Insurance Co. (UWIC). UWIC denied coverage, arguing the claimant was not listed on Platinum's payroll and not covered under the policy, as Platinum failed to provide required hiring paperwork for its '1099 employees' like the claimant. The Workers' Compensation Board modified a prior decision, finding the claimant was not a leased/worksite employee of Cornerstone and thus not covered by UWIC's policy, placing the Uninsured Employers Fund back on notice and remitting for penalties against Platinum. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding that the claimant was not a leased/worksite employee and therefore not covered under the relevant workers' compensation policy.