CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. 528952
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 27, 2020

Matter of Saputo v. Newsday, LLC

Claimant John Saputo suffered work-related neck and shoulder injuries in 2016, leading to a workers' compensation claim. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge awarded him a schedule loss of use for his arms, finding no permanent neck impairment, but the Workers' Compensation Board later rescinded this award due to a possible residual neck impairment and remitted for further development of the record. On appeal, the Appellate Division modified the Board's decision, clarifying that a claimant can receive a schedule loss of use award for schedule injuries even if they also have a nonschedule permanent partial disability classification, provided they returned to work at pre-injury wages and receive no award for the nonschedule injury. However, the Court affirmed the Board's finding of substantial evidence for the claimant's residual cervical spine impairment of an unknown severity. The matter was ultimately remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings consistent with the Appellate Division's decision.

Workers' Compensation LawSchedule Loss of Use (SLU)Permanent Partial DisabilityCervical Spine InjuryShoulder InjuryMaximum Medical Improvement (MMI)Wage-Earning CapacityMedical Expert TestimonyAppellate ReviewRemittal
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rosado v. Astrue

Pro se plaintiff Eli E. Rosado challenged the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying him Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Rosado alleged disability from April 1997 due to various physical and mental impairments; however, Administrative Law Judge Dennis G. Katz denied his initial application, a decision later upheld by the Appeals Council. The federal court reviewed whether the Commissioner's decision was supported by substantial evidence, applying the five-step sequential evaluation process for disability claims. The court concluded that while Rosado had severe impairments, they did not meet or medically equal listed impairments and he retained the residual functional capacity to perform other work in the national economy. Consequently, the Magistrate Judge granted the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings, affirming the denial of benefits.

Social Security ActDisability BenefitsSupplemental Security IncomeAdministrative Law Judge (ALJ)Residual Functional CapacityTreating Physician RuleSubstantial EvidenceMotion for Judgment on the PleadingsLumbar Spine PainHypertension
References
77
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 29, 2010

Campbell v. Astrue

Bruce Campbell (Plaintiff) filed an action seeking review of the Commissioner of Social Security's denial of his application for Supplemental Security Income. Magistrate Judge Victor E. Bianchini issued a Report-Recommendation, which Chief Judge Norman A. Mordue adopted. The case involves a claimant's disability determination, focusing on his alleged illiteracy, residual functional capacity (RFC), mental impairments, and obesity. The court identified several deficiencies in the administrative law judge's (ALJ) decision, including an unsupported finding regarding the plaintiff's education level, a potentially flawed RFC assessment due to reliance on a non-medical opinion, and a failure to consider a reviewing psychologist's opinion on mental impairments. Consequently, the court remanded the Commissioner's decision for further proceedings to properly develop the record on the plaintiff's literacy, reconsider the RFC, and re-evaluate his mental impairments.

Social Security ActSupplemental Security IncomeDisability BenefitsResidual Functional CapacityIlliteracyMental ImpairmentsObesityVocational FactorsMedical-Vocational RulesAdministrative Law Judge
References
32
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Deshotel v. Berryhill

This case reviews an Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision regarding a plaintiff's Social Security disability benefits claim. The ALJ had determined that the plaintiff suffered from severe impairments, including migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, hand numbness, and fibromyalgia, and had the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform sedentary work. However, the Court found that the ALJ erred by assessing the impact of the plaintiff's depression and anxiety on her RFC without the benefit of medical opinion evidence, thus rendering the administrative record incomplete. Despite the Commissioner's argument that the impairments were minor, the Court emphasized that the ALJ's own finding of "severe" impairments necessitated further development of the record, including obtaining medical opinions. Consequently, the Court granted the plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings, denied the Commissioner's cross-motion, reversed the Commissioner's decision, and remanded the case for additional administrative proceedings to gather the necessary medical opinion evidence concerning the plaintiff's mental limitations.

Social Security ActDisability BenefitsAdministrative Law JudgeResidual Functional CapacityMedical Opinion EvidenceMental ImpairmentsDepressionAnxietyRemandSubstantial Evidence
References
12
Case No. 12 Civ. 6451(PAC)(SN)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 27, 2014

Miller v. Colvin

Plaintiff Terrie A. Miller sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security's final decision denying her application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The plaintiff alleged disability due to various impairments including heart problems, depression, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, scoliosis, and asthma. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John P. Costello found that while Plaintiff had several severe impairments, they did not meet or medically equal a listed impairment. The ALJ determined Plaintiff's Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform light work with specific limitations, such as performing simple tasks only, avoiding heavy machinery and respiratory irritants, and working primarily alone. Based on vocational expert testimony, the ALJ concluded Plaintiff could perform jobs like photocopy machine operator or collator operator. The District Court affirmed the Commissioner's decision, finding it supported by substantial evidence and in accordance with legal standards, thus denying Plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissing the complaint with prejudice.

Disability BenefitsSocial Security ActSupplemental Security IncomeAdministrative Law Judge DecisionResidual Functional CapacityMental Health ImpairmentPhysical ImpairmentChronic PainCardiac ArrhythmiaScoliosis
References
29
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Graham v. Heckler

Plaintiff Vanetta Graham sought judicial review of a final decision denying her claim for federal disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. The District Court found that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) erred by mechanically applying the medical-vocational "grid" rules to determine disability. The court highlighted that exclusive reliance on the grid is inappropriate when a claimant, like Ms. Graham, has significant non-exertional impairments, such as environmental restrictions to dust and fumes. The court reversed the Secretary's decision and remanded the case, instructing the ALJ to make clearer findings regarding the combined effect of all of Ms. Graham's impairments on her residual functional capacity.

Disability benefitsSocial Security ActAdministrative Law JudgeResidual Functional CapacityNon-exertional impairmentsExertional limitationsGrid rulesSedentary workRemandJudicial review
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Goodale v. Astrue

Plaintiff Rodger Goo-dale applied for supplemental security income (SSI) and disability insurance benefits (DIB), which were denied. He sought judicial review of the Commissioner's decision, alleging inability to work since October 2005 due to physical impairments. Magistrate Judge Victor E. Bianchini reviewed the case, addressing Plaintiff's arguments concerning the ALJ's evaluation of his HIV impairment, residual functional capacity (RFC) determination, credibility assessment, and analysis of his past relevant work. The court found that the Commissioner's decision was supported by substantial evidence, upholding the ALJ's findings. Consequently, the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted, and Plaintiff's motion was denied.

Disability BenefitsSocial Security IncomeDisability Insurance BenefitsHIV ImpairmentChronic FatigueResidual Functional CapacityALJ Decision ReviewSubstantial EvidenceTreating Physician RuleCredibility Assessment
References
61
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

the Claim of Brigandi v. Town & Country Linoleum & Carpet

This case involves an appeal by an employer and its compensation carrier against decisions made by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The decedent, a carpet layer, died from cardiac arrest during work, with an autopsy revealing underlying coronary atherosclerotic disease. His widow was awarded death benefits. The employer’s carrier sought reimbursement from the Special Disability Fund under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (8), asserting a preexisting permanent physical impairment. However, the Board determined that there was no evidence that the decedent’s heart condition hindered his job potential before his death, thus releasing the Special Disability Fund from liability and holding the compensation carrier responsible. The employer's subsequent application for reconsideration was denied by the Board, leading to these appeals. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decisions, concluding that the Board rationally found no proof that the decedent's heart disease impaired his job potential, a necessary condition for reimbursement under WCL § 15 (8) (d).

Special Disability FundPreexisting Permanent ImpairmentCardiac ArrestCoronary Atherosclerotic DiseaseDeath Benefits ClaimEmployer ReimbursementCarrier LiabilityBoard Decision ReviewAppellate AffirmationMedical Evidence Interpretation
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mejia v. Astrue

Pro se plaintiff Joseph Mejia challenged the Commissioner of Social Security's final decision denying him Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income. Mejia alleged disability due to heart failure and high blood pressure since October 2007. Administrative Law Judge Robin J. Arzt denied the application on May 28, 2009, finding Mejia's impairments were severe but did not meet listed impairments and that he retained the residual functional capacity for light work. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck reviewed the decision and found it supported by substantial evidence. Consequently, the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted, affirming the denial of benefits.

Social Security ActDisability Insurance BenefitsSupplemental Security Income BenefitsCongestive Heart FailureHypertensionCardiomyopathyResidual Functional CapacityALJ Decision ReviewSubstantial Evidence ReviewTreating Physician Rule
References
82
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 14, 2017

Smith v. Berryhill

Ritchie Smith sought judicial review of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration's decision denying him disability benefits, arguing the decision used incorrect legal standards and lacked substantial evidence regarding his ability to perform substantial gainful activity. The court examined extensive medical evidence from numerous physicians and Smith's own testimony concerning his physical and mental impairments. The hearing officer previously determined that despite severe impairments, Smith retained the residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work. The court affirmed the Commissioner's decision, concluding that the hearing officer applied the correct legal standards, and the findings, including the assessment of Smith's credibility and daily activities, were supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Disability Benefits AppealSocial Security Disability InsuranceSupplemental Security IncomeResidual Functional CapacityMedical OpinionsTreating Physician RuleClaimant CredibilitySedentary Work CapacityPhysical ImpairmentsMental Health Impairments
References
11
Showing 1-10 of 830 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational