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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

In re of the Arbitration between Town of Evans & International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Petitioner appealed an order from the Supreme Court, Erie County, which denied its petition to stay arbitration, granted respondent's counterclaim to compel arbitration, and denied both parties' requests for attorney's fees and sanctions. The petitioner had terminated an accountant, Elmar Kiefer, for alleged sexual abuse and misuse of resources. Respondent filed a grievance on Kiefer's behalf, leading to a demand for arbitration under their collective bargaining agreement. Petitioner sought to stay arbitration, arguing it was against public policy as an arbitrator might reinstate Kiefer. The court affirmed the lower court's decision, stating that the public policy argument was premature and that courts should not pre-emptively assume an arbitrator will exceed their powers or violate public policy. The court also denied attorney's fees and sanctions for both parties.

ArbitrationPublic PolicyCollective Bargaining AgreementSexual HarassmentMisconductAttorney's FeesSanctionsAppellate ReviewGrievanceEmployment Termination
References
5
Case No. ADJ10235953
Regular
Jan 17, 2017

MANUELA HOWARD vs. VXI GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LLC, AMERICAN CASUALTY COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration and request for a stay of order. The defendant argued that applicant's attorney failed to properly serve medical reports, that penalties and attorney fees were improperly awarded in an expedited hearing, and that Dr. Newton's report should have barred the award of temporary disability. The Board found that the medical reports were properly served on the defendant and its adjustor, that penalties and fees were correctly awarded as they stemmed from the applicant's entitlement to temporary disability, and that Dr. Newton's report actually supported the award given the defendant's failure to offer modified duties. Finally, the Board admonished applicant's counsel for attaching previously filed documents but declined to impose sanctions.

Petition for ReconsiderationOpinion and Order Denying PetitionTemporary Total DisabilityLate Penalty FeeLabor Code Section 4650(d)Attorney's FeesExpedited HearingLabor Code Section 5502WCAB Rule 10608Primary Treating Physician
References
4
Case No. Misc. No. 254
En Banc
Jan 20, 2012

Applicant vs. Respondent

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed Daniel Escamilla's Petition for Change of Venue, denied his Request for an Immediate Stay, but granted his Petition for Removal. The decision affirmed the relieving of his counsel and continued the hearing to provide a final opportunity to obtain new counsel.

Petition for Change of VenuePetition for RemovalRequest for Immediate Stay of ProceedingsWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)Relief of CounselDue ProcessQuasi-Criminal NatureLabor Code Section 5501.6Labor Code Section 4907
References
1
Case No. Misc. No. 254
Significant
Jan 20, 2012

vs. Daniel Escamilla

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismisses a petition for change of venue, denies a request for a stay, but grants a petition for removal. The Board affirms the order relieving the petitioner's counsel, continues the hearing, and sets a new pre-hearing conference schedule to allow the petitioner a final opportunity to obtain new counsel and prepare his case.

Petition for RemovalPetition for Change of VenueWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJRelief of CounselDue ProcessQuasi-Criminal ProceedingDelegation of AuthorityOffer of ProofSuspension or Removal of Privilege
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Arbitration between I. Miller & Sons, Inc., & United Office & Professional Workers

This case involves a motion to stay arbitration filed by petitioners, who are employees of I. Miller & Sons, Inc. The petitioners sought to stay an arbitration proceeding between their employer and a respondent union. The union and employer had an agreement requiring new employees to join the union after thirty days as a condition of employment. The petitioners refused to join the union, and the employer declined the union's request to discharge them, citing the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (Taft-Hartley Law). The petitioners argued the agreement was invalid under the Taft-Hartley Act and they had no obligation to arbitrate. The court denied the motion to stay arbitration, ruling that the petitioners, not being parties to the arbitration agreement, lacked standing to interfere with the proceeding. The court clarified that the phrase 'any party to the controversy' in the Civil Practice Act sections 1462 and 1462-a refers to parties to the arbitration agreement itself.

Arbitration AgreementStandingThird-Party RightsLabor LawUnion MembershipEmployer ObligationsContract InterpretationMotion to StayCivil Practice ActTaft-Hartley Act
References
7
Case No. ADJ1941485 (VNO 0263845) ADJ4137418 (VNO 0270976) ADJ1018222 (MON 0140131)
Regular
Dec 15, 2008

GERTRUDE CHISM vs. K-MART/SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION, Permissibly Self-Insured Administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Appeals Board dismissed the defendant's petition to remove WCJ Zarett as moot due to his retirement, and denied the request for a commissioner's hearing on sanctions as premature. The Board remanded the case to the trial level for a full evidentiary hearing on the defendant's allegations regarding the applicant's attorneys, as these factual issues are best addressed by a new Workers' Compensation Judge. The defendant's numerous petitions for removal, vacating hearings, and stays were largely dismissed or denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardGertrude ChismK-Mart/Sears Holding CorporationSedgwick Claims Management ServicesPetition for Commissioner's HearingRemoval of Judge ZarettVacate HearingStay ProceedingsImposition of SanctionsGuardian Ad Litem
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 26, 1998

In Re Bagel Bros. Bakery & Deli, Inc.

This order addresses whether Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1014(b) imposes an automatic stay on proceedings in a subsequently-filed bankruptcy case. The case involves three Chapter 11 cases of Bagel Bros. Maple, Inc. and Bagel Bros. Deli & Bakery, Inc. in the Western District of New York, which are related to earlier Chapter 11 cases of MBC in the District of New Jersey. MBC filed a motion in New Jersey seeking to transfer venue and requested that the New York court automatically stay its proceedings based on Rule 1014(b). Bankruptcy Judge Michael J. Kaplan ruled that Rule 1014(b) does not constitute an automatic or self-executing stay upon the mere filing of a motion. Instead, a judicial determination and order from the first-filed court (District of New Jersey) are required to impose such a stay, ensuring that substantive rights are not abridged and allowing for judicial discretion in emergency matters. Therefore, the proceedings in the Western District of New York are not automatically stayed.

Bankruptcy ProcedureAutomatic StayFederal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1014(b)Venue TransferChapter 11 ReorganizationInter-district BankruptcyJudicial InterventionSubstantive RightsFranchise AgreementsCash Collateral Disputes
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re General Motors Corp.

This Bench Decision addresses motions for § 158(d)(2) certification to the Circuit and, alternatively, for a stay pending appeal of a July 5 Order in the bankruptcy proceedings of GM and its affiliates. Presiding Judge Robert E. Gerber denied both motions, finding the conditions for direct appeal to the Circuit were not met due to controlling precedent in the Second Circuit and the lack of a question of public importance that had not already been decided. Regarding the stay request, the court determined that the movants failed to establish a substantial possibility of success on the merits. Granting a stay would inflict catastrophic and irreparable harm upon GM, its multitude of creditors, 225,000 employees, 500,000 retirees, 11,500 suppliers, 6,000 dealers, and the broader North American auto industry, outweighing any potential harm to the appellants. The decision emphasized the critical public interest in allowing GM's essential asset sale to proceed without delay to avoid immediate liquidation.

Bankruptcy AppealSection 158(d)(2) CertificationRule 8005 StayEquitable Mootness DoctrineSuccessor LiabilityPublic Interest FactorsIrreparable HarmCorporate LiquidationCreditors' CommitteeJudicial Discretion
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Arbitration between Royal Typewriter Co. & Mechanical & Electrical Workers Union of America Local No. 1

The case involves a petitioner corporation seeking to stay arbitration initiated by a respondent union. The dispute stems from a collective bargaining agreement which recognizes the union as the agent for 'Service Department Employees.' Following the introduction of electric typewriters, the union sought arbitration to determine if servicemen for these new machines fall under the existing contract's classification. The petitioner contended this matter was excluded from arbitration, arguing it might modify the agreement or alter the bargaining unit's scope. The court, however, concluded that the union's requested arbitration concerned an interpretation or application of the contract. As a result, the court affirmed the arbitrability of the issue and denied the petitioner's motion to stay arbitration.

ArbitrationLabor LawCollective Bargaining AgreementContract InterpretationBargaining Unit ScopeStay of ArbitrationGrievance ProcedureElectric Typewriter Servicemen
References
0
Case No. 04-15739
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 19, 2006

Continental Casualty Co. v. Pfizer, Inc. (In re Quigley Co.)

Plaintiffs Continental Casualty Company and Continental Insurance Company initiated an adversary proceeding against Pfizer, Inc., Quigley Company, Inc. (a debtor-in-possession and Pfizer's subsidiary), and numerous other insurance companies. The plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment that certain policies excluded coverage for asbestos-related claims, or alternatively, to reform them and apportion liability. Pfizer and Quigley moved to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim regarding anticipatory repudiation. A group of defendant insurers (Certain Insurers) sought to stay the proceeding and lift the automatic stay for arbitration. The court denied the motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. It stayed Counts One, Two, and Three, and Guildhall's cross-claim, pending the arbitration of coverage disputes, granting the Certain Insurers relief from the automatic stay to commence arbitration. Count Four, concerning anticipatory repudiation, was dismissed without prejudice.

BankruptcyInsurance Coverage DisputeAsbestos LiabilityDeclaratory Judgment ActArbitration AgreementStay of LitigationMotions to DismissAnticipatory RepudiationWellington AgreementPolicy Exclusions
References
52
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