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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
Jan 23, 2015

Matter of Ruth Joanna O.O. (Melissa O.)

Justice Gesmer dissents from the affirmation of a Family Court order finding Melissa O. neglected her child. The dissent argues that the Family Court lacked a basis for its neglect finding, as there was no evidence that the mother's conduct impaired or threatened her child's condition. Furthermore, it asserts that the findings regarding the mother's failure to take medication or engage in mental health services were unsupported by admissible evidence. Gesmer, J. emphasizes that proof of mental illness alone is insufficient for a neglect finding without a causal link to actual or potential harm to the child. The dissent concludes that the petitioner failed to demonstrate that the mother's mental illness resulted in a failure to provide a minimum degree of care or that the child was harmed or at imminent risk of harm.

Child Protective ProceedingNeglect FindingParental Mental IllnessSufficiency of EvidenceImminent Risk of HarmMinimum Degree of CareFamily Court ActDissenting OpinionAdmissibility of EvidenceCausal Connection
References
15
Case No. ADJ9344211
Regular
Dec 01, 2017

Patricia Preston vs. Los Angeles Unified School District, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The applicant sought reconsideration of a workers' compensation award, challenging the permanent disability rating primarily based on the chosen medical evaluation method. The applicant argued the Range-of-Motion (ROM) method, favored by her treating physician, should have been used instead of the Diagnosis-Related Estimates (DRE) method employed by a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). Additionally, she contended that her vocational expert's opinion supported a finding of total permanent disability. The Board denied reconsideration, affirming the administrative law judge's decision, finding the QME's DRE rating supported by substantial evidence and the applicant's vocational evidence insufficient to prove total disability. A dissenting opinion argued that findings of multi-level spinal involvement supported the use of the ROM method for a potentially higher rating and questioned the QME's justification for choosing DRE.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPatricia PrestonLos Angeles Unified School DistrictSedgwick Claims Management ServicesADJ9344211Permanent Disability RatingRange-of-Motion MethodDiagnosis-Related Estimates MethodApportionmentDr. Fenton
References
6
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 08091
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 16, 2017

Paulling v. City Car & Limousine Services, Inc.

This case involves an appeal concerning a summary judgment motion related to a personal injury claim. The Supreme Court initially granted defendants' motion, dismissing the complaint due to the plaintiff's inability to establish a serious injury under Insurance Law § 5102 (d). Defendants presented expert reports indicating normal range of motion and preexisting degenerative conditions. However, the plaintiff successfully raised a triable issue of fact through his treating physician's findings of spinal limitations and his radiologist's objective evidence. The Appellate Division found that plaintiff's evidence sufficiently addressed the defense's findings of degeneration, establishing a causal link to the accident. Additionally, the court ruled that defendants waived their argument regarding a gap in treatment, and evidence showed plaintiff received continuous treatment. Consequently, the Appellate Division reversed the lower court's order and denied the motion for summary judgment.

summary judgmentserious injuryInsurance Lawspinal injurydegenerative conditionscausationmedical expert reportstriable issue of factgap in treatmentworkers' compensation records
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of I-Conscious R. (George S.)

This case involves an appeal concerning a Family Court order that determined a respondent father abused and neglected his daughter and derivatively abused and neglected his son. The appellate court affirmed the fact-finding order, concluding that the petitioner presented a preponderance of evidence, including medical findings of genital herpes in the child, indicative of sexual abuse. The court upheld the neglect finding due to the father's failure to secure timely medical care for his daughter's severe symptoms. Additionally, the respondent's arguments regarding the suggestiveness of interviews, the testimony of his expert witness, and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel were all rejected by the court. An appeal against a separate order of protection was dismissed due to abandonment.

Child AbuseChild NeglectSexual AbuseGenital HerpesMedical EvidenceFamily Court ProceedingsSufficiency of EvidenceCredibility AssessmentIneffective Assistance of CounselAppellate Review
References
8
Case No. ADJ1475903
Regular
Jun 10, 2011

JEFFREY SMITH vs. COAST MACHINERY MOVERS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant sought reconsideration of an award finding the applicant sustained an industrial injury and $87\%$ permanent disability. The defendant argued the administrative law judge erred by relying on the primary treating physician's opinions and using a Diagnosis Related Estimates method instead of Range of Motion. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, agreeing that the physician's reports constituted substantial medical evidence and the judge did not err in their application. Although the Board found the judge incorrectly stated the defendant waived its objection to the evidence, the core findings were upheld.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardSteam and PipefitterIndustrial InjuryPermanent DisabilityPrimary Treating PhysicianSubstantial Medical EvidenceDiagnosis Related EstimatesRange of Motion
References
7
Case No. CV-24-1300
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 19, 2026

In the Matter of the Claim of Kimberly Siddon

Kimberly Siddon appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision denying the reopening of her claim for an increased schedule loss of use (SLU) of her left knee. Siddon, who had previously undergone two surgeries and received SLU findings of 12% and 20%, sought a 35% SLU based on an orthopedic surgeon's report detailing worsening range of motion. The Special Fund for Reopened Cases failed to properly contest the surgeon's medical opinion, despite multiple opportunities. The Board, however, rejected the surgeon's objective range-of-motion measurements as merely subjective, a finding inconsistent with its own impairment guidelines. The Appellate Division reversed the Board's decision, concluding that the Special Fund had waived its right to contest the evidence and that the Board's rationale for denial was unsupported given the uncontradicted and properly rendered medical opinion. The case was remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings consistent with the Court's decision.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UseLeft Knee InjuryClaim ReopeningMedical ExaminationSpecial Fund for Reopened CasesWaiverBoard DiscretionMedical EvidenceRange of Motion
References
7
Case No. ADJ8734628 ADJ9086734
Regular
Aug 12, 2016

PATRICIA CRUZ MALDONADO vs. WHITE MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, ADVENTIST HEALTH

This case involves White Memorial Medical Center's petition for reconsideration of a Joint Findings and Award finding that applicant Patricia Cruz Maldonado sustained lumbar spine injuries arising out of and occurring in the course of employment as a registered nurse. The defendant argued the findings were erroneous due to alleged inconsistencies in applicant's testimony and a lack of substantial medical evidence for a cumulative injury. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, upholding the Administrative Law Judge's credibility determinations and finding substantial medical evidence, specifically from Dr. Edwin Haronian, supporting the cumulative trauma injury. The Board emphasized that the WCJ observed the witness and considered all admitted evidence, and that deposition testimony not offered into evidence could not be relied upon.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardWCJcredibility determinationsubstantial medical evidencecumulative traumalumbar spineregistered nurseprimary treating physician
References
5
Case No. ADJ1448881 (VNO 0460995), ADJ1459734 (VNO 0385398)
Regular
Jan 19, 2011

CLEMENTE MEJIA vs. PACIFIC MAT, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, CIGA for FREMONT

The Appeals Board admitted Dr. Capen's November 10, 2009 report into evidence and affirmed the WCJ's Amended Joint Findings and Award. SCIF's petition for reconsideration primarily argued that Dr. Capen's report was not substantial evidence for apportionment, but the Board found SCIF waived this argument by not raising it explicitly. The majority concluded Dr. Capen's November 10, 2009 report provided substantial evidence for apportionment, affirming the WCJ's findings. One Commissioner dissented, finding the report was not substantial evidence and that further development of the record was needed.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAmended Joint Findings and AwardWCJindustrial injurypermanent disabilityapportionmentState Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF)CIGAliquidationCambridge
References
6
Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 00899, 534614
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 16, 2023

Matter of Marcellino v. National Grid

Claimant Joseph Marcellino appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision finding no permanent injury to his left elbow and denying a schedule loss of use (SLU) award for it, and affirming no SLU for his left thumb. Claimant had established injuries from an April 2015 accident, including to his left elbow and thumb, and underwent surgery in 2016. His treating orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Christoforou, initially opined significant SLU percentages in 2017. However, an August 2020 examination by Dr. Spohn, retained by the carrier, found no range of motion deficits for the left hand, wrist, or thumb, suggesting 0% SLU for these, though he did suggest 15% SLU for carpal tunnel syndrome based on guidelines. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge credited Dr. Spohn's opinion, a finding affirmed by the Board, which discounted Dr. Christoforou's conflicting opinions due to inconsistencies in his own prior findings. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, stating that the Board has discretion to resolve conflicting medical opinions and reject evidence, even if unopposed.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UsePermanent Partial DisabilityMedical Opinion CredibilityOrthopedic SurgeryLeft Elbow InjuryLeft Thumb InjuryCarpal Tunnel SyndromeAppellate ReviewMedical Evidence
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

State Division of Human Rights v. Bakery & Confectionery Workers' International Union of America

This case involves a review of a determination finding discrimination. The court affirmed the discrimination finding, stating it was based on substantial evidence. However, the Commissioner's calculation of damages was found to be erroneous. The original damage award for eight complainants was based on an hourly wage rate applicable to only one. The court modified the awards for complainants whose actual wages were less than the hourly wage rate used by the Commissioner, accepting their actual hourly wage rate and hours lost. Awards where actual wages exceeded the determined rate were not disturbed due to the absence of a cross-appeal.

DiscriminationDamagesWage RateErroneous ComputationJudicial ReviewModificationComplainantsHourly WageSubstantial EvidencePanel Decision
References
2
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