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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
Apr 07, 1988

De Coste v. Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

Decedent, Darwin A. De Coste, experienced chest pain and elevated blood pressure, leading him to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital where he was seen by Dr. William Amsterlaw. Amsterlaw diagnosed reflux esophagitis despite an abnormal electrocardiogram, discharging De Coste, who subsequently suffered a fatal cardiopulmonary arrest 12 hours later. The administrator of De Coste's estate filed a wrongful death action, alleging medical malpractice and that the misdiagnosis was the proximate cause of death. A jury awarded pecuniary damages and funeral expenses, which the defendants appealed. The appellate court affirmed the verdict, finding rational support for the jury's malpractice finding and rejecting the defendants' argument to reduce the award by Social Security benefits due to the effective date of CPLR 4545 (c).

Medical MalpracticeWrongful DeathProximate CauseCollateral Source RuleCPLR 4545Jury VerdictEmergency Room CareMisdiagnosisArteriosclerosisMyocardial Infarction
References
3
Case No. ADJ15013684
Regular
Aug 01, 2025

KEITH DAHL vs. QUEEN OF THE VALLEY HOSPITAL, CORVEL CORPORATION

Applicant Keith Dahl sought reconsideration of a May 7, 2025 "Findings and Award" (F&A) which denied penalties against the defendant, Queen of the Valley Hospital, but awarded attorney's fees. Dahl argued that defendant's three-month delay in submitting an EDD settlement constituted a bad-faith delay. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the petition, rescinded the F&A, and returned the case to the trial level. The WCAB found the record insufficient to determine penalties due to lack of explanation for the delay and deemed the support for attorney's fees inadequate, emphasizing the WCJ's duty to fully develop the record.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJTemporary DisabilityPermanent DisabilityEDDAttorney's FeesLabor Code Section 5813Labor Code Section 5909
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Huntington Hospital v. Huntington Hospital Nurses' Ass'n

Huntington Hospital initiated an action under the Federal Arbitration Act to partially vacate an arbitration award, while the Huntington Hospital Nurses’ Association cross-petitioned to confirm it. The dispute originated from the Hospital unilaterally granting two nurses, Betty Evans and Lynn Meyer, longevity pay credits exceeding the ten-year cap stipulated in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The arbitrator found the Hospital violated the CBA's sections on pay and exclusive bargaining rights. The arbitrator mandated the Hospital roll back excess credits and recover overpayments. The District Court denied the Hospital's petition, dismissing arguments regarding public policy, manifest disregard for law, and lack of award finality, ultimately confirming the arbitration award.

Arbitration AwardCollective Bargaining AgreementLabor LawFederal Arbitration ActWage DisputesLongevity PayUnion RightsPublic Policy ExceptionManifest Disregard of LawContract Interpretation
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

League of Voluntary Hospitals & Homes v. Local 1199, Drug, Hospital & Health Care Workers Union

The court addresses an application for a preliminary injunction against Local 1199, a union planning a three-day strike. The League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of N. Y. sought the injunction following a previous temporary restraining order concerning a one-day strike. The union argued that each planned strike required a new legal proceeding, but the court deemed the strikes "episodic and organically connected." Citing concerns about blocked ingress/egress to hospitals and the union president's threats to "shut down" facilities, the judge found a preliminary injunction necessary under Labor Law § 807 to protect public health and safety. The injunction restrains the union from unlawfully interfering with hospital operations, blocking access, and picketing within certain distances of hospital entrances and emergency rooms.

Labor DisputePreliminary InjunctionStrike ActionUnion ActivityHospital AccessPicketing RegulationsCollective BargainingCivil Disobedience ThreatPublic Health and SafetyIngress Egress Interference
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 07, 1975

Buchanan v. New York City Health & Hospitals Corp.

The case concerns an appeal challenging a hospital lien and the application of a contractual period of limitations in an insurance policy. The plaintiff, as executrix of Percy Buchanan, sought to challenge a lien filed by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and compel Associated Hospital Services (AHS) to cover remaining hospital costs. The lower court initially granted AHS summary judgment, finding the action time-barred. However, the appellate court modified this decision, denying AHS's cross-motion for summary judgment. It ruled that a question of fact existed regarding whether AHS could be estopped from asserting the limitations period, given its silence on claim rejections until after the period had expired.

Hospital LienContractual Limitations PeriodSummary Judgment MotionEquitable EstoppelHealth Insurance PolicyStatute of LimitationsAppellate Court DecisionInsurance Coverage DisputeExecutorshipGroup Health Insurance
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Rimler

Harriet Richman, a 37-year-old morbidly obese patient, was admitted to New York Hospital Center of Queens in July 1994. The hospital initiated an Article 81 Mental Hygiene Law proceeding to appoint a guardian due to her inability to manage personal needs and property. Richman, weighing between 400-500 pounds, refused to cooperate with discharge planning, accumulated uncashed Social Security checks, and faced eviction due to significant rent arrears. Despite her verbal competence, Dr. Lubin diagnosed her with a thinking disorder of borderline personality, leading to self-destructive and self-confounding behavior. The court found clear and convincing evidence of incapacity and appointed Jasmine Thomas and TOUCH, Inc. as coguardians for her personal needs and property management, waiving the bond requirement.

GuardianshipIncapacitated PersonMental Hygiene LawObesitySocial SecurityRent ArrearsDischarge PlanningBorderline PersonalityFunctional LimitationsProperty Management
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 29, 2006

Ochei v. Coler/Goldwater Memorial Hospital

Plaintiff Joan Ochei brought an action against Coler/Goldwater Memorial Hospital and New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, alleging discrimination based on race and national origin, a hostile work environment, and retaliation, leading to constructive discharge. Ochei, a Licensed Practical Nurse, claimed inadequate training, negative evaluations, and transfer were discriminatory. The defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing Ochei failed to establish a prima facie case. The court granted summary judgment, dismissing the complaint, finding no evidence to support Ochei's claims of discrimination, a hostile work environment, or constructive discharge. Additionally, Coler/Goldwater Memorial Hospital was deemed not a suable entity.

DiscriminationNational Origin DiscriminationRace DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentRetaliationConstructive DischargeSummary JudgmentEmployment LawTitle VIINew York State Human Rights Law
References
47
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Brown v. New York City Health & Hospitals Corp.

Plaintiff Lillian Brown, an assistant head nurse, sustained a needle stick injury from an angiocath stylet in the crib of an HIV-positive infant, Baby C., at Queens General Hospital in December 1990. She subsequently developed 'AIDS phobia' and sued the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and two doctors for negligent infliction of emotional distress. The defendants sought to compel HIV testing and moved for summary judgment, arguing her fear was unreasonable given prior negative tests and lack of definitive exposure. The appellate court modified a lower court order, ruling that while actual exposure (scientifically accepted transmission method and HIV-positive source) is required for 'AIDS phobia' claims, triable issues of fact existed. However, the court limited the plaintiff's recoverable damages for emotional distress to the initial six-month period following exposure, unless she could provide evidence of a positive HIV-antibody test, as her fear would be deemed unreasonable thereafter.

AIDS phobianegligent infliction of emotional distressHIV exposuremedical malpracticesummary judgmentemotional damagesreasonable fearmitigation of damagesHIV-antibody testactual exposure
References
41
Case No. ADJ3765992 (SRO 0132531) ADJ2072207 (SRO 0140061)
Regular
Apr 29, 2009

Lorraine O'Keefe vs. Surgical Staff North, Inc., CAL COMP, In Liquidation, CIGA, Adjusted by BROADSPIRE, COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF MONTEREY PENINSULA, Permissibly Self-Insured, Adjusted by CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, INC. (ADJ3765992), QUEEN OF THE VALLEY HOSPITAL, Permissibly Self-Insured, Adjusted by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICE (ADJ2072207)

This case involves applicant Lorraine O'Keefe's workers' compensation claims for left knee injury. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the finding that applicant sustained an industrial injury on December 15, 1999, while employed by Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). However, the Board granted reconsideration regarding attorney fees, rescinding the prior award against CHOMP. The issue of CHOMP's liability for applicant's attorney fees under Labor Code section 4064(c) will be returned for further proceedings due to insufficient notice.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSurgical Staff NorthCal CompCIGACommunity Hospital of Monterey PeninsulaClaims Management Inc.Queen of the Valley HospitalSedgwick Claims Management ServiceFindings Award OrdersPetition for Reconsideration
References
0
Case No. VNO 0330672 and VNO 0393157
Regular
Oct 25, 2007

, Susan SALUTE (SUSAN SALUTE-MYERS) vs. MOORPARK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY (in liquidation), CAMBRIDGE INTEGRATED SERVICES GROUP (Servicing Facility), SIMI VALLEY ADVENTIST HOSPITAL, Permissibly SelfInsured, ADVENTIST HEALTH (Adjusting Agency)

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed an administrative law judge's decision assigning full liability for applicant's back and psyche injuries to Simi Valley Adventist Hospital, despite successive injuries at two employers. The WCAB modified the awards, clarifying CIGA's liability for prior benefits from the Moorpark injury and Simi Valley's liability for subsequent benefits, including temporary disability and most medical treatment. The Board also affirmed the apportionment of permanent disability based on causation, with each employer responsible only for the percentage of disability directly caused by their respective injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAliquidationself-insuredsuccessive injuriesapportionmentpermanent disabilitytemporary disabilitymedical treatment
References
16
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