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

Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 07432 [166 AD3d 621]
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 07, 2018

Matter of Progressive Advanced Ins. Co. v. New York City Tr. Auth.

This case involves an appeal by Progressive Advanced Insurance Company (Progressive) against the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) concerning an arbitration award. The dispute arose under Insurance Law § 5105 regarding a loss transfer claim, where NYCTA sought reimbursement from Progressive for workers' compensation benefits paid to its employee after a collision involving Progressive's insured. The central issue was whether a 20% no-fault offset applied to the workers' compensation wages, with the arbitrator ruling it did not, as a one-third offset had already been applied. Progressive's petition to vacate the award was denied by the Supreme Court, Queens County. The Appellate Division affirmed this denial, concluding that the arbitrator's determination was supported by a reasonable hypothesis and was not arbitrary or capricious.

Arbitration AwardLoss TransferInsurance LawWorkers' Compensation BenefitsNo-Fault OffsetAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationEvidentiary SupportArbitrary and CapriciousReasonable Hypothesis
References
9
Case No. 3212, 3697, 3004
Regular Panel Decision

Progressive Casualty Insurance v. Yodice

This case involves consolidated motions stemming from a personal injury accident on March 30, 1997, involving a 'Whip ride' operated at a private party, attached to a truck owned by Dominick Yodice d/b/a Mickey's Rides N More. Injured individuals sued Mickey's. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, the insurer of Mickey's truck, sought a declaratory judgment that it had no duty to defend or indemnify Mickey's. The court granted Progressive's motion, finding that the accident did not arise from the 'use or operation of the truck as a truck' for transportation, despite an unenforeable exclusion. Mickey's Rides N More also sought a declaratory judgment that Scottsdale Insurance Company was obligated to insure and defend it under a commercial general liability policy. The court denied Mickey's motion and granted Scottsdale's cross-motion, ruling that a 'Certificate of Insurance' was not binding and the declarations page covered a different ride, with coverage for the Whip ride not afforded until after the accident.

Insurance Coverage DisputePolicy ExclusionCommercial Auto PolicyCommercial General Liability PolicyDeclaratory JudgmentSummary JudgmentMobile Amusement RideVehicle Use and OperationProximate CauseInsurance Broker
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Muniz (Commr. of Labor)

Claimant was terminated from employment for falsifying work orders, a violation of company policy he had been previously warned about. His initial application for unemployment insurance benefits was denied, but an Administrative Law Judge reversed this, a decision affirmed by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board found that while claimant was aware of the policy, he was not adequately advised that a repeat mistake would result in termination, operating under an understanding of progressive discipline. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding that claimant's conduct did not rise to the level of disqualifying misconduct.

Unemployment BenefitsMisconductWork Order FalsificationProgressive DisciplineAdministrative Law JudgeAppeal Board DecisionAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceEmployment TerminationBenefit Entitlement
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Progressive Casualty Insurance v. New York State Insurance Fund

Zimone Brown, a sanitation worker insured by the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), was injured after being struck by an automobile insured by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company (Progressive). The NYSIF sought reimbursement of workers’ compensation benefits from Progressive through arbitration, citing Insurance Law § 5105. Progressive contended that the garbage truck was not 'involved' in the accident as statutorily required. Although the arbitration panel sided with NYSIF, the Supreme Court denied Progressive's petition to vacate the award. This appellate court reversed the Supreme Court's decision, finding no evidentiary support or rational basis for the arbitrators' determination, thus granting Progressive's petition and vacating the arbitration award.

Arbitration Award VacaturInsurance LawWorkers' Compensation BenefitsLoss Transfer ProvisionsStatutory InterpretationMotor Vehicle AccidentEvidentiary SupportArbitrary and CapriciousJudicial ScrutinyCPLR Article 75
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 27, 2007

National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh v. St. Barnabas Community Enterprises, Inc.

This case concerns the arbitrability of disputes between an unnamed petitioner and its insured, St. Barnabas, over retrospective premiums and credits from workers' compensation policies covering 1995-1998 and 2000-2001. The Supreme Court's order, which compelled arbitration and denied St. Barnabas's cross-motion to dismiss, was modified. The appellate court affirmed arbitration for the 1995-1998 policies due to explicit arbitration clauses. However, arbitration for the 2000-2001 policies was stayed as they lacked such clauses and provided for litigation. Claims of fraudulent inducement related to the earlier policies were referred to arbitrators, as they did not specifically challenge the arbitration agreement itself.

ArbitrationWorkers' Compensation PoliciesRetrospective PremiumsInsurance DisputesPolicy InterpretationFraudulent InducementContract LawNew York CourtsAppellate DecisionJurisdiction
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Catania v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co.

This case involves a submitted controversy under sections 546 to 548 of the Civil Practice Act, concerning whether a liability policy issued to John Schiro extends coverage to the plaintiff for injuries sustained by Schiro's wife. Schiro's wife alleged negligence against her spouse in the operation of his vehicle during his employment with the plaintiff. The court analyzed Insurance Law section 167 (subd. 3), which states that policies do not cover liability for spousal injuries unless expressly provided. Citing Morgan v. Greater New York Taxpayers Mut. Ins. Assn., the court treated the policy as if issued to the plaintiff alone, determining that Schiro's wife is not the plaintiff's spouse, thus making section 167 (subd. 3) inapplicable. The decision, supported by Manhattan Cas. Co. v. Cholakis, concluded that the insurer is liable. Therefore, judgment was granted in favor of the plaintiff, requiring the defendant to defend the pending negligence action and pay any judgment up to the policy limits.

Liability PolicyInsurance CoverageSpousal LiabilityCivil Practice ActInsurance LawNegligenceDeclaratory JudgmentAutomobile AccidentEmployer LiabilityInterspousal Immunity
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Trojcak v. Valiant Millwrighting & Warehousing, Inc.

This case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision concerning the proper cancellation of an employer's workers' compensation policy. A claimant was injured in September 1995, leading to a dispute when the carrier claimed the policy was canceled in June 1995 due to nonpayment. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge ruled the policy was improperly canceled, citing Banking Law § 576 and estoppel. However, the Workers' Compensation Board reversed this, finding the cancellation adhered to Banking Law § 576's notice requirements. This appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that the statutory notice provisions were met and that the finance agency and carrier were not estopped from canceling the policy despite prior acceptance of late payments.

Workers' Compensation Policy CancellationBanking Law § 576Estoppel DoctrineNotice RequirementsLate PaymentsInsurance Coverage DisputePolicy DefaultAppellate ReviewStatutory CompliancePremium Finance Agreement
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Progressive Transportation Services, Inc. v. County of Essex

Progressive Transportation Services, Inc. sued Essex County, James Pierce, and Clifford Donaldson, asserting a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights claim for First Amendment retaliation and a state law claim for breach of contract. Progressive claimed the County retaliated against it by rejecting bids and withholding funds after Progressive combined transportation routes for efficiency, arguing this was a matter of public concern regarding taxpayer money and fuel usage. The Court determined that Progressive's speech, made in the context of contract negotiations to secure payment, was primarily an issue of economic self-interest and not a matter of public concern protected by the First Amendment. Consequently, the Court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment, dismissing the federal claim with prejudice. The state law breach of contract claim was dismissed without prejudice, as the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction after the dismissal of the federal claim.

42 U.S.C. Section 1983Civil RightsBreach of ContractFirst Amendment RetaliationSummary JudgmentGovernment ContractsFreedom of SpeechPublic Concern DoctrineSupplemental JurisdictionGovernmental Waste
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Progressive Northern Insurance Co. v. Sentry Insurance A Mutual Co.

Progressive Northern Insurance Company initiated an arbitration against Sentry Insurance A Mutual Company to recover first-party benefits paid to its insured following an automobile accident. After an initial arbitration claim (priority-of-payment) was denied, Progressive commenced a second arbitration based on a loss-transfer claim for the same reimbursement. Sentry raised the affirmative defense of res judicata, which the arbitrator upheld, denying Progressive's claim. Progressive then petitioned the Supreme Court, Nassau County, to vacate this arbitration award, but the petition was denied. The appellate court affirmed the Supreme Court's order, ruling that the arbitrator properly exercised its authority in applying res judicata, as both claims arose from the same transaction despite different legal theories.

Res JudicataArbitration Award VacaturInsurance ReimbursementAutomobile Accident ClaimLoss Transfer ClaimPriority-of-Payment ClaimAppellate ReviewSupreme Court NassauCPLR Article 75Arbitration Forum
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Garden State Anesthesia Associates, PA v. Progressive Casualty Insurance

Garden State Anesthesia Associates (GSAA) sued Progressive Casualty Insurance Company for unpaid first-party no-fault benefits after providing services to Angela Gowan-Walker. Progressive delayed payment, citing the need for Gowan-Walker's examination under oath (EUO) and extensive medical and workers' compensation records. Although Gowan-Walker completed her EUO, Progressive continued to issue delay letters, requesting information primarily from third parties and Gowan-Walker's attorney, without directly contacting GSAA for verification. The court denied Progressive's motion for summary judgment, ruling that an insurer cannot indefinitely toll the 30-day payment period by requesting verification unrelated to the specific provider's claim or by failing to request verification directly from the provider.

No-fault benefitsSummary JudgmentInsurance LawVerification RequestDelay LetterEUOMedical RecordsInsurance ClaimsTimelinessTolling
References
9
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