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

Case No. ADJ6892572
Regular
Mar 05, 2012

RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, RAFAEL CORREA-RODRIGUEZ vs. SURFACE CONSTRUCTORS, INC., FIRSTCOMP For ENDURANCE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the petition for reconsideration filed by Rafael Rodriguez (also known as Rafael Correa-Rodriguez). The dismissal was based on two procedural defects: the petition was untimely filed and improperly served. The WCAB further indicated that even if the petition had been procedurally sound, it would have been denied on the merits based on the WCJ's report. Therefore, the petition for reconsideration was dismissed.

Petition for ReconsiderationUntimely FilingImproper ServiceWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ Report and RecommendationDismissalDenial on MeritsLien ClaimantSurface ConstructorsFirstcomp
References
0
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 00522
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 27, 2022

Rodriguez v. Morel

In this case, plaintiff Nicholes W. Rodriguez appealed an order from Supreme Court, Bronx County, which granted summary judgment to defendants Rafael T. Morel et al., dismissing the complaint. The dismissal was based on the plaintiff's failure to demonstrate a serious injury under Insurance Law § 5102 (d) categories. Defendants presented prima facie evidence, including medical reports, showing normal range of motion and highlighting plaintiff's pre-existing conditions from a prior motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff failed to rebut this evidence, as his medical experts did not adequately address the issue of causation concerning the alleged new injuries versus pre-existing ones. Consequently, the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision, finding no triable issue of fact regarding causation or serious injury.

Motor Vehicle AccidentSerious Injury ThresholdInsurance Law 5102(d)Summary JudgmentPre-existing ConditionsCausationRange of MotionCervical SpineLumbar SpineRight Shoulder
References
8
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 08228
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2021

Leon-Rodriguez v. Roman Catholic Church of Sts. Cyril & Methodius

In this personal injury action, Rafael Leon-Rodriguez was injured while demolishing a ceiling with an unrailed scaffold, leading to a fall when concrete dislodged. He sued Roman Catholic Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Hundred Crowns, LLC, and Deluxe Home Builders Corp. alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240 (1), 241 (6), and common-law negligence. The defendants initiated a third-party action against Mybem Corp., the plaintiff's employer, for indemnification and breach of contract. The Appellate Division, Second Department, modified the Supreme Court's order, granting the plaintiff summary judgment on Labor Law § 240 (1) and 12 NYCRR 23-5.3 (e), affirming the finding that the lack of safety railings was a proximate cause of his injuries. Concurrently, the court granted the defendants' cross-motion to dismiss the Labor Law § 200 and common-law negligence claims, concluding they lacked supervision over the work and did not create or have notice of any latent dangerous condition. All other motions, including contractual indemnification against Mybem, were denied.

Personal InjuryConstruction AccidentLabor LawScaffold SafetySummary JudgmentAppellate DivisionWorkplace SafetyProximate CauseCommon Law NegligenceContractual Indemnification
References
17
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 05988
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 02, 2017

Rodriguez v. Mendlovits

Vinicio Rodriguez, an employee of All Care Contracting Corp., suffered injuries after falling from a ladder while performing stucco work at a two-family home owned by Malka E. Mendlovits and contracted by Joel Mendlovits. Rodriguez sued the Mendlovitses, alleging common-law negligence and violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240(1), and 241(6). The Mendlovitses moved for summary judgment, citing the homeowner's exemption and lack of supervision, while Rodriguez cross-moved for summary judgment on liability under Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6). The Supreme Court denied both motions. The Appellate Division reversed the denial of the Mendlovitses' motion, granting them summary judgment and dismissing the complaint and cross-claims against them, and affirmed the denial of Rodriguez's cross-motion.

Homeowner's ExemptionLabor LawSummary JudgmentAppellate DivisionSupervisory ControlPersonal InjuryConstruction AccidentLadder FallTwo-family DwellingContractor Liability
References
24
Case No. ADJ7774631
Regular
Aug 16, 2019

IGNACIO GARCIA vs. TRINIDAD RODRIGUEZ dba RODRIGUEZ FARM LABOR CONTRACTOR, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, SERGIO RODRIGUEZ

This case involves a worker's compensation claim by Ignacio Garcia. The primary issue was whether Garcia was employed by Trinidad Rodriguez dba Rodriguez Farm Labor Contractor or Sergio Rodriguez. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for reconsideration, affirming the judge's finding that Trinidad Rodriguez was the employer. While the Board noted the applicant has the burden to prove employment, they found the evidence supported the conclusion that Garcia was employed by Trinidad Rodriguez.

Petition for ReconsiderationDenialEmployment StatusFarm Labor ContractorState Compensation Insurance FundGoing and Coming RuleBurden of ProofCredibility DeterminationsInsured EmployerUninsured Employer
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rodriguez v. McClenning

Israel Rodriguez, an inmate at Green Haven Correctional Facility, sued corrections officer Daniel McClenning under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations of his First, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Rodriguez claimed McClenning sexually assaulted him during a pat-frisk and retaliated against him for filing a grievance. McClenning moved for summary judgment, arguing the sexual assault claim lacked constitutional merit or was protected by qualified immunity, and that the retaliation claim lacked evidence of improper motive. The court denied McClenning's motion, concluding that sexual assault of an inmate by a prison officer violates contemporary Eighth Amendment standards and that qualified immunity does not apply to such conduct. Additionally, the court found sufficient circumstantial evidence of retaliatory motive regarding the misbehavior report to deny summary judgment on the retaliation claim.

Prisoner RightsEighth AmendmentCruel and Unusual PunishmentSexual AssaultQualified ImmunityFirst AmendmentFourteenth AmendmentRetaliationCorrectional FacilitySummary Judgment
References
54
Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 06763 [222 AD3d 1013]
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 27, 2023

Rodriguez v. 27-11 49th Ave. Realty, LLC

The plaintiff, Tomas Rodriguez, appealed an order from the Supreme Court, Kings County, which granted summary judgment to defendant Mana Products, Inc., dismissing the complaint against it. Rodriguez had sued 27-11 49th Avenue Realty, LLC, and Mana after a slip and fall in a factory. The defendants argued that the complaint against Mana was barred by the exclusivity provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law, claiming Rodriguez was Mana's special employee. The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's decision, finding that the defendants established a prima facie case for summary judgment based on Rodriguez's deposition testimony, indicating Mana controlled his work details, thus establishing a special employment relationship as a matter of law.

Special Employee DoctrineWorkers' Compensation ExclusivitySummary Judgment GrantPersonal Injury ClaimAppellate Division Second DepartmentControl over WorkEmployer LiabilityPlaintiff's AppealDefendant's MotionSlip and Fall Accident
References
5
Case No. 193 AD3d 1190
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 08, 2021

Matter of Rodriguez (Penn Mut. Life Ins. Co.--Commissioner of Labor)

Claimant Rudy A. Rodriguez, an insurance broker, entered into an agreement with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, which was later terminated. Rodriguez subsequently filed for unemployment benefits. Initially, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) deemed him ineligible as an independent contractor, but the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board reversed this decision, finding Rodriguez to be an employee and thus eligible for benefits. Penn Mutual appealed the Board's determination, challenging the finding of an employer-employee relationship and the application of Labor Law § 511 (21). The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decisions, concluding that substantial evidence supported the finding of an employment relationship, citing Penn Mutual's control over Rodriguez, including sales territory assignment, price setting, provision of office space, and mandatory training and advertising approval. The court also upheld the Board's finding that its decision applied to all similarly situated individuals.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployer-Employee RelationshipIndependent ContractorInsurance AgentAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceControl TestLabor LawUnemployment Insurance Appeal BoardJudicial Review
References
13
Case No. 535055
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 16, 2023

In the Matter of the Claim of Manual Rodriguez

Claimant Manuel Rodriguez appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board disqualifying him from future wage replacement benefits due to fraud. Rodriguez, a truck driver with an established claim for injuries, repeatedly denied working while receiving disability benefits. He later admitted to being an elected constable in Pennsylvania but minimized his activities. The WCLJ found a violation of Workers' Compensation Law § 114-a (1) and imposed mandatory and discretionary penalties. The Board upheld the discretionary penalty of permanent disqualification, finding Rodriguez's deception egregious and supported by the record, as he falsely testified at multiple hearings and minimized his constable duties. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, finding no abuse of discretion in the permanent disqualification.

FraudWorkers' Compensation Law § 114-aWage Replacement BenefitsPermanent DisqualificationUntimely AppealAppellate ReviewAbuse of DiscretionEvasive TestimonyMisrepresentation of Work ActivityNew York Supreme Court
References
14
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 04316 [207 AD3d 489]
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 06, 2022

Rodriguez v. Waterfront Plaza, LLC

Deivy Leon Rodriguez, a laborer for Jara Services, LLC, sustained personal injuries on a construction site owned by Waterfront Plaza, LLC, and managed by general contractor ZNKO Construction, Inc. He fell into an unguarded 15-foot opening and was struck by an unsecured metal beam while hoisting it, subsequently filing a lawsuit alleging a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1). The Supreme Court, Kings County, granted Rodriguez's motion for summary judgment on liability against Waterfront and denied Waterfront's cross-motion for contractual indemnification against ZNKO. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's order, concluding that Rodriguez demonstrated a prima facie case of a Labor Law § 240 (1) violation due to the lack of appropriate safety devices. Additionally, the Appellate Division upheld the denial of contractual indemnification, finding Waterfront failed to eliminate triable issues of fact regarding its own negligence; the cross-appeal by ZNKO was dismissed as abandoned.

Personal InjuryConstruction AccidentLabor Law § 240 (1)Summary JudgmentContractual IndemnificationFalling ObjectFall from HeightAppellate DivisionWorker SafetyPremises Liability
References
11
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