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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 06537 [165 AD3d 667]
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 03, 2018

Matter of Heritage Mech. Servs., Inc. v. Suffolk County Dept. of Pub. Works

This case involves an appeal by Heritage Mechanical Services, Inc. (petitioner) from a judgment denying its petition to annul a determination by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works (DPW). The dispute stemmed from a general construction contract awarded to Posillico/Skanska, JV for a waste water treatment plant upgrade. Heritage was listed as a subcontractor for HVAC work, but a disagreement arose over the agreed-upon amount, with Heritage claiming a higher price for alternates not included in the initial bid figure. DPW approved Posillico's request to perform the HVAC work itself, citing Heritage's refusal as a 'legitimate construction need' under General Municipal Law § 101 (5). The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's judgment, finding DPW's determination was not arbitrary and capricious, affected by an error of law, or an abuse of discretion, and thus dismissed the proceeding.

Public Works ContractSubcontractor DisputeGeneral Municipal LawCPLR Article 78Administrative ReviewArbitrary and CapriciousProject Labor AgreementHVAC SubcontractBid DisputeContractual Interpretation
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pest v. Bridal Works of New York, Inc.

Irena Pest filed an action against Bridal Works of New York Inc. and Aleksandra Bach for unpaid overtime wages and wage notice violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law. Pest, a seamstress, alleged she worked over 40 hours weekly without proper compensation, with defendants manipulating timecards and failing to provide accurate wage statements or notices in Polish. Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing lack of proof for overtime and time-barred claims. The court denied most of the defendants' motion, finding genuine issues of material fact regarding overtime work, willful violations, and the method for calculating Pest's regular rate of pay. Pest voluntarily withdrew her NYLL Section 195(1) claims, and the court reserved decision on NYLL Section 195(3) violations and equitable tolling.

Overtime WagesFair Labor Standards ActNew York Labor LawSummary JudgmentPiecework CompensationEquitable TollingStatute of LimitationsWage Notice ViolationsPay Stub RequirementsLiquidated Damages
References
56
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 08382 [155 AD3d 1049]
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 29, 2017

Matter of Soliman v. Suffolk County Dept. of Pub. Works

Nader I. Soliman, a Senior Civil Engineer for Suffolk County Department of Public Works, was terminated after an arbitration award found him guilty of misconduct for accessing unauthorized, sexually explicit websites during work hours. Soliman petitioned the Supreme Court, Suffolk County, to vacate the arbitration award, but the court denied the petition, dismissed the proceeding, and confirmed the award. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's judgment, finding that Soliman failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the arbitration award was irrational or that the arbitrator exceeded their powers.

MisconductArbitration AwardVacaturCPLR Article 75Appellate ReviewPublic EmploymentTerminationEmployee MisconductRationality of AwardArbitrator Powers
References
10
Case No. 533112
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2022

Matter of Reyes v. H & L Iron Works Corp.

A claimant appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision which found he violated Workers' Compensation Law § 114-a and permanently disqualified him from future indemnity benefits. The claimant, Leonel Reyes, sustained work-related injuries in 2016 and received benefits. However, he failed to fully disclose his disc jockey activities and the physical nature of this work to the Board, carrier, and examining physicians while collecting benefits. Surveillance videos showed him lifting heavy equipment, contradicting his testimony. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed the WCLJ's finding of a violation and the imposition of both mandatory and discretionary penalties. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that substantial evidence supported the violation and that the permanent forfeiture of indemnity benefits was not a disproportionate penalty given the claimant's multiple egregious misrepresentations.

Workers' Compensation Law § 114-aFalse RepresentationIndemnity BenefitsPermanent DisqualificationUndisclosed EmploymentDisc JockeyMaterial MisrepresentationSubstantial EvidenceWitness CredibilityDiscretionary Penalty
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Fine v. S.M.C. Microsystems Corp.

The dissenting opinion argues to affirm the Workers' Compensation Board's decision, asserting that the claimant, Seymour Fine, met the 'mixed purpose' test for work performed at home. The dissent highlights Fine's regular pattern of working at home, his supervisor's agreement regarding the benefit to the employer, and his dedicated workspace at home. It emphasizes that the accident occurred on a non-regular workday when Fine was carrying work-related materials to continue work at home after visiting his office, suggesting he was working against a deadline. The dissent also addresses the majority's focus on Fine not demanding extra pay, inferring that working at home compensated for his slow pace due to a physical disability, with his supervisor's permission.

Work from HomeSpecial Assignment RuleMixed Purpose TestCourse of EmploymentOff-Premises WorkCommute AccidentEmployer BenefitRegular Work PatternPhysical Disability
References
6
Case No. ADJ6884562
Regular
Oct 04, 2010

ERIC KRUSE vs. CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, Permissibly Self-Insured

This case concerns whether a 15% reduction in permanent disability indemnity applies when an employer offers an injured employee regular work after their condition is permanent and stationary. The applicant, a parking enforcement officer, sustained a neck and elbow injury and was temporarily disabled before returning to his regular job. The employer offered regular work after the applicant's condition became permanent and stationary, but the applicant had already returned to his normal duties. The majority found that since there was no indication of permanent disability prior to the employer's offer, all permanent indemnity was payable after the offer, entitling the employer to the reduction. However, a dissenting commissioner argued that the offer lacked practical meaning as the applicant had already returned to work and that no weekly payments remained after the offer to be reduced.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardEric KruseCity of San Rafaelparking enforcement officerindustrial injuryneck injuryright elbow injurytemporary total disabilitypermanent and stationaryoffer of regular work
References
0
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 06000 [187 AD3d 1395]
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 22, 2020

Matter of Capraro v. Matrix Absence Mgt.

Claimant, a home-based claims examiner, was injured while moving unassembled new office furniture to his home office after his employer declined to cover the expense. He applied for workers' compensation benefits, but both a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) and the Workers' Compensation Board denied his claim, ruling that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of his employment. The Board had applied a novel, rigid standard for at-home employees, limiting compensability to injuries during regular work hours and active work duties. The Appellate Division, Third Department, found this new standard unsupported by precedent and inconsistent with the remedial nature of the Workers' Compensation Law, emphasizing that a regular pattern of work at home makes the residence a place of employment. The court reversed the Board's decision and remitted the matter, instructing the Board to apply the long-established standard to determine if the activity was "purely personal" or "reasonable and sufficiently work related."

Workers' CompensationArising out of employmentCourse of employmentWork-from-home injuryOffice furniturePersonal activity vs. work-relatedAppellate reviewRemittalBoard decision reversalHome as workplace
References
20
Case No. 698 F.Supp. 452
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 01, 1988

Tunis v. Corning Glass Works

Catherine Tunis, a process engineer at Corning Glass, filed a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She claimed a hostile work environment due to pinup photographs, gender-based language, and catcalls, and that her termination was in retaliation for her complaints and an EEOC filing. The court found that the employer took prompt and reasonable remedial action regarding the hostile environment claims. Additionally, the court determined that Tunis failed to demonstrate that the legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons provided by Corning Glass for her termination were merely a pretext for discrimination. Consequently, all of Tunis's claims were dismissed, and judgment was entered in favor of the defendant.

Sex DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentRetaliationTitle VIICivil Rights ActEmployment DiscriminationWorkplace HarassmentGender BiasWrongful TerminationFederal Lawsuit
References
12
Case No. ADJ6467603
Regular
Apr 05, 2011

TOODY CLITES-PORTER vs. COUNTY OF KERN, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

In this Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision, the applicant sustained industrial injury to her cardiovascular system. The defendant employer's offer of regular work was found tardy by the WCJ, resulting in a 15% increase in permanent disability payments. However, on reconsideration, the Board amended the decision, finding the employer entitled to a 15% **decrease** in permanent disability payments. This was based on the employer making a timely offer of regular work within a reasonable time after receiving the permanent and stationary report, aligning with the statute's purpose of returning injured employees to work. The matter was returned to the trial level for recalculation of permanent disability indemnity and attorney's fees.

Permanent and stationary dateLabor Code section 4658(d)tardy offer of regular work15 percent decreasepermanent disability paymentsAdministrative Director Rule 10117(b)Ornelaz v. Albertson'sInc.Audiss v. City of Rohnert ParkAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)
References
2
Case No. ADJ7702084
Regular
Jan 23, 2012

WILLIAM BRAGA vs. CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns whether the City of Sebastopol is entitled to a 15% reduction in permanent disability payments to William Braga, a fire captain who sustained hearing loss. The defendant argues this reduction is permissible under Labor Code section 4658(d)(3)(A) because they offered Braga regular work. However, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied reconsideration, finding the statute inapplicable because Braga lost no time from work and continued his regular duties. The WCAB reasoned that Labor Code section 4658(d) is intended to incentivize employers to return injured workers to employment, a purpose not served when the employee never stopped working.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardCity of SebastopolRedwood Empire Municipal Insurance FundFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationFire CaptainCumulative PeriodHearing LossPermanent DisabilityScheduled Rate
References
4
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