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

Case No. 2023 NY Slip Op 00701
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 09, 2023

Matter of Iwuchukwu (Active Transp. Servs.--Commissioner of Labor)

The case involves an appeal by Active Transport Services (ATS) from decisions of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board ruled that Godwin Iwuchukwu, a delivery driver for ATS, was an employee and eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, and that ATS was liable for contributions. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed these decisions, finding substantial evidence supported the Board's determination of an employment relationship, based on ATS's control over drivers, and that Iwuchukwu had not voluntarily left employment without good cause, as he cited a lack of work.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployment RelationshipIndependent ContractorDelivery DriverLogistics BrokerSubstantial EvidenceUnemployment Benefits EligibilityVoluntary Leaving EmploymentDisqualifying MisconductAppellate Review
References
16
Case No. 2016-1618 K C
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 22, 2019

Active Care Med. Supply Corp. v. American Tr. Ins. Co.

This case concerns an appeal by Active Care Medical Supply Corp. against American Transit Ins. Co. regarding first-party no-fault benefits. The plaintiff, an assignee of Luciano Ernesto, sought summary judgment, while the defendant cross-moved to either dismiss the complaint or hold the action in abeyance. The defendant argued that Luciano Ernesto might be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, thus requiring a determination from the Workers' Compensation Board. The Civil Court granted the defendant's cross-motion to hold the action in abeyance. The Appellate Term affirmed this decision, reiterating that the Workers' Compensation Board has primary jurisdiction over the applicability of the Workers' Compensation Law and that courts should defer to the Board's determination.

No-Fault BenefitsWorkers' Compensation LawPrimary JurisdictionAbeyanceAppellate TermSummary JudgmentEligibility DisputeFirst-Party BenefitsInsurance CoverageAssignor-Assignee
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 06, 1994

Active Glass Corp. v. Architectural & Ornamental Iron Workers Local Union 580

Active Glass Corp. sought to enjoin a labor arbitration demanded by Iron Union and Iron Funds, proposing instead a multiparty arbitration with Glaziers and Carpenters unions and their respective funds. Iron cross-moved to compel bilateral arbitration with Active, while Glaziers and Carpenters sought dismissal of Active's petition. The court confirmed the existence of an arbitration agreement between Active and Iron for the underlying dispute. Citing recent Second Circuit precedent, the court ruled it lacked authority to compel multiparty arbitration absent the parties' explicit consent. Consequently, Active's motion for preliminary injunction and multiparty arbitration was denied, and Iron's motion to compel bilateral arbitration was granted.

ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementLabor DisputePreliminary InjunctionSummary JudgmentMultiparty ArbitrationBilateral ArbitrationFederal Arbitration ActJurisdictional DisputeContract Interpretation
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Finocchio v. W. A. White Underwear Corp.

The claimant, a sewing machine operator, sustained an injury in 1955 and was later found to have a permanent partial disability in 1963. In 1974, her employer ceased operations, leading to an inability to find new work. The Workers’ Compensation Board awarded benefits for reduced earnings, determining she remained in the labor market. The employer appealed, arguing that the reduced earnings were solely due to economic conditions. The appellate court reversed the Board's decision, finding insufficient proof that the claimant’s disability contributed to her reduced earnings after her employer went out of business, and remitted the case for further findings on the cause of the reduced earnings.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityReduced EarningsEconomic ConditionsCausationBurden of ProofAppellate ReviewRemittalWorkers' Compensation Board
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of La Pietra v. County of Suffolk

The claimant, a licensed practical nurse, sustained an injury in 1989 and was later classified with a permanent partial disability, receiving workers' compensation benefits for reduced earnings. The Workers’ Compensation Board subsequently ruled that her reduced earnings were not causally related to her disability, primarily citing her current employment in Tennessee at what it inferred was a lower pay scale and fewer hours. The appellate court found that the Board failed to adequately explain its ruling and did not sufficiently consider all factors. Specifically, the court noted the absence of evidence comparing pay scales between New York and Tennessee, and the Board's failure to account for the claimant working fewer hours in Tennessee without determining if this reduction was self-imposed or unrelated to her disability. The court concluded there was insufficient support for the Board's finding that reduced earnings were solely due to economic conditions unrelated to the disability, thereby reversing the decision and remitting the case for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityReduced EarningsCausationEconomic ConditionsRemittalAppellate ReviewNew YorkLPNWage Loss
References
2
Case No. 534827
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 15, 2022

In the Matter of the Claim of Kathleen Casacci

The Appellate Division affirmed a Workers' Compensation Board decision that found claimant Kathleen Casacci, a dentist with a permanent partial disability, had no actual or causally-related reduced earnings. Casacci filed a workers' compensation claim in 2015 for work-related repetitive-use injuries, leading to a cervical discectomy and a return to part-time work. While a WCLJ initially found a 30% loss of wage-earning capacity, the Board disagreed on actual reduced earnings, citing inconsistencies in her financial documentation as an S Corporation officer. The court upheld the Board's determination, emphasizing the Board's authority to resolve factual issues based on witness credibility and evidence, particularly regarding the claimant's active role in her dental practice despite reporting reduced personal income.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityReduced EarningsWage-Earning CapacityOccupational DiseaseCervical DiscectomyCredibilityFinancial DocumentationDental PracticeAppellate Review
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 06, 2002

Millner v. Cablevision

Claimant, a freelance news reporter, suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident on November 15, 1996, leading to a workers\' compensation claim and initial reduced earnings benefits from December 23, 1996. The Workers’ Compensation Board subsequently rescinded these awards for any period after February 1, 2000, determining that the reduction in claimant\'s work hours was not causally linked to her disability. Claimant appealed this decision, arguing for continued benefits. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board\'s ruling, citing substantial evidence that the claimant\'s reduced work schedule stemmed from economic conditions in the job market rather than her disability, despite medical advice regarding work limitations. The court found no reason to disturb the Board\'s factual findings.

Workers\' CompensationReduced EarningsCausally Related DisabilityEconomic FactorsFreelance ReporterMotor Vehicle AccidentChiropractorMedical OpinionSubstantial EvidenceAppellate Review
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of General Elec. Co. (Elec., Etc., Workers)

A union sought to arbitrate a claim that a company violated an anti-discrimination provision of their collective bargaining agreement by not providing pension credits for time spent on union activities beyond the hours for which the company had agreed to pay. The collective bargaining agreement allowed for arbitration of disputes over its provisions but was silent on pensions. The court ruled that no bona fide dispute existed, as the anti-discrimination clause could not be used to force a change in a separate agreement about paid union time. The court reasoned that providing pension credits for unpaid union activity would discriminate in favor of union representatives, an obligation the company did not have. Therefore, there was no valid ground for arbitration, and the order of the Appellate Division was affirmed.

Collective Bargaining AgreementArbitrationPension CreditsAnti-Discrimination ClauseUnion ActivityEmployee BenefitsLabor DisputeAppellate ReviewJudicial Review of ArbitrationNew York State Law
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 17, 1977

Orbinati v. Utica Mutual Insurance

A claimant, employed as a physical education teacher and track/football coach by the Utica City School District, sustained an injury in August 1970. His average weekly wage was calculated to include his coaching stipend. Following his injury, he returned to his teaching role with restrictions that prevented him from coaching. Despite subsequent salary increments resulting in a higher overall salary than his pre-injury average weekly wage, the claimant contended he was experiencing reduced earnings due to the loss of his coaching allowance. The Workers’ Compensation Board and the referee affirmed there were no reduced earnings, concluding that his teaching and coaching constituted a single, integrated employment. This decision was subsequently affirmed without costs.

Workers' CompensationReduced EarningsAverage Weekly Wage CalculationDual EmploymentSingle EmploymentCoaching StipendUtica City School DistrictWorkers' Compensation LawAppellate DecisionInjury in Course of Employment
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gioia v. Cattaraugus County Nursing Home

The case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant's reduced earnings award. The claimant, a nurse's aide with a permanent partial disability from a back injury, had her weekly compensation rate adjusted by the Board to be based on her actual reduced earnings from her current job, rather than her degree of disability. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier appealed, arguing that the Board should have considered the claimant's capacity to earn more. The court affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that for claimants demonstrating labor market attachment, wage-earning capacity must be determined exclusively by actual earnings during disability, as evidence of capacity to earn more or less, including medical evidence of disability degree, is prohibited.

reduced earnings awardpermanent partial disabilitywage earning capacitylabor market attachmentactual earningsworkers' compensation lawappeal decisionjudicial reviewindependent medical examinationemployer appeal
References
6
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