Matter of Xie v. JP Morgan Chase
The claimant, Agnes Xie, appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board that denied her claim for workers' compensation benefits. Xie, a bank executive for JP Morgan Chase, alleged she sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries in November 2013 due to an ergonomically incorrect workstation. After her employment was terminated, she filed a claim, which was initially proposed for establishment for a back injury by the Board but later rescinded. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge disallowed the claim, citing lack of notice and insufficient evidence linking the injuries to employment, a decision upheld by the Board. On appeal, Xie argued employer preclusion and the Board's erroneous failure to establish her claim. The Appellate Division, Third Department, found these arguments unpreserved for review. The court also noted that while email records regarding workstation issues were before the Board, they did not alter the outcome, as the Board's decision rested on its assessment of witness credibility. Consequently, the Board's decision denying benefits was affirmed.