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

Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 04070
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 24, 2021

Matter of Cisnero v. Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund

Claimant Jeffrey Cisnero, an independent livery driver, sustained injuries when he was shot during a dispatch. He filed a claim for workers' compensation benefits, which was initially disallowed by a WCLJ but later reversed by the Workers' Compensation Board, finding coverage through the Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund (ILDBF). The carrier appealed, arguing misinterpretation of the relevant statutes, particularly Executive Law § 160-ddd (1). The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, determining that Cisnero's injuries arose out of and in the course of providing covered services as an independent livery driver dispatched by an ILDBF member. The court found that the vehicle's attenuated affiliation with the New York Black Car Operators' Injury Compensation Fund, Inc. did not alter ILDBF's liability.

Workers' CompensationLivery DriverIndependent ContractorBenefit FundAccidental InjuryCourse of EmploymentStatutory InterpretationExecutive LawWorkers' Compensation LawAppellate Review
References
3
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 02766 [160 AD3d 921]
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 25, 2018

Clarke v. First Student, Inc.

Ibia M. Clarke, an employee of First Student Management, LLC (FSM), sustained personal injuries due to a defective condition at FSM's premises. She subsequently filed a negligence action against First Student, Inc., the premises owner. The defendant sought summary judgment, arguing it was an alter ego of FSM, making workers' compensation her exclusive remedy under the Workers' Compensation Law. The Supreme Court, Nassau County, initially denied the defendant's motion. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed the Supreme Court's order, finding that the defendant successfully demonstrated, prima facie, that it was an alter ego of the plaintiff's employer, FSM. Consequently, the defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the amended complaint was granted.

Personal InjuryNegligenceSummary JudgmentWorkers' Compensation LawExclusive RemedyAlter Ego DoctrineEmployer LiabilityPremises LiabilityAppellate ReviewCorporate Structure
References
9
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 05820
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 25, 2019

Matter of Ellis v. First Student, Inc.

Claimant, Kevin Ellis, a school bus driver, sustained work-related injuries in November 2014 when struck by a vehicle. His initial claim for workers' compensation benefits was established for injuries to his back, left hip, and left knee. The Workers' Compensation Board later amended the claim to include causally-related injuries to his right knee and right shoulder, based on medical evidence and testimony. The employer and its carrier appealed this decision. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence to support the Board's determination that the injuries to the right knee and right shoulder were causally related to the work accident, crediting the testimony of orthopedist Charles Peralo over the conflicting opinion of physician Harvey Siegel.

Workers' CompensationCausally Related InjuryRight KneeRight ShoulderSchool Bus DriverSubstantial EvidenceMedical TestimonyCredibilityAppellate ReviewAmendment of Claim
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Chainani v. Board of Education

This consolidated appeal addresses the liability of public schools for student injuries occurring between their homes and bus stops when transportation is provided by independent bus companies. In Chainani v Board of Educ., an eight-year-old was struck by a bus after disembarking, and the Court affirmed the Appellate Division's decision to reverse the Board of Education's vicarious liability, while upholding the bus company's and driver's liability. In Bruce v Hasbrouck, a nine-year-old was injured crossing a highway to an unauthorized bus stop; the Court affirmed the ruling that the school district held no direct or vicarious liability. The Court reasoned that schools, by contracting transportation, are not primarily responsible for driver actions or injuries outside their direct custody, nor is student transportation inherently dangerous to warrant vicarious liability.

School LiabilityStudent TransportationBus AccidentIndependent ContractorVicarious LiabilityDirect LiabilityVehicle and Traffic LawNondelegable DutyInherently Dangerous ActivityProximate Cause
References
36
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Mihalaris v. UTOG 2-Way Radio, Inc.

A limousine driver, who leased his vehicle from Augie’s Auto Repair, Inc. (Augie) and was dispatched by UTOG 2-Way Radio, Inc. (UTOG), was assaulted and injured during a vehicle theft while working. Initially, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge found the driver a general employee of Augie and a special employee of UTOG, apportioning liability. The Workers’ Compensation Board modified this, finding the driver solely an employee of UTOG, discharging Augie based on an interpretation of Workers’ Compensation Law § 2 (4) regarding lessor/owner control. UTOG and its carrier appealed, arguing the Board misapplied the law concerning taxicab drivers, contending the control-related factors only apply when the owner operates the taxicab 40+ hours weekly. The Appellate Court reversed the Board's decision, stating the Board incorrectly applied the statute by requiring control factors for Augie when the 40-hour exception was not met, and remitted the matter for a decision consistent with the controlling statute.

Workers' Compensation LawEmployment RelationshipLimousine DriverTaxicab DriversStatutory InterpretationLessor-Lessee RelationshipGeneral EmploymentSpecial EmploymentAppellate ReviewRemand
References
7
Case No. Dkt. No. 1
Regular Panel Decision

Oklahoma Firefighters Pension & Retirement System v. Student Loan Corp.

Lead plaintiffs Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System and Elk-horn Partners LP brought a putative class action against Student Loan Corporation, its officers, Citigroup, Citibank, Citi Holdings, and Discover Financial Services. Plaintiffs alleged that Student Loan Corp. violated GAAP by failing to maintain adequate reserves for student loan losses and materially misrepresented its loan portfolios and risk exposure in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim. The Court granted the defendants' motion, concluding that the plaintiffs failed to adequately plead actionable misrepresentations or omissions, scienter, and loss causation. The Court also noted that the named plaintiffs lacked standing due to a prior settlement order in a related Delaware action.

Securities FraudClass ActionMotion to DismissGAAP ViolationsLoan Loss ReservesFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Securities Litigation Reform ActScienterLoss CausationCorporate Governance
References
56
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 05439
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 05, 2019

Matter of Ansley v. Jamesville-DeWitt Cent. Sch. Dist.

Patricia L. Ansley, a long-serving school bus driver, faced disciplinary charges and eventual termination for slapping a special needs student who was exhibiting aggressive behavior on her bus. The incident involved the student punching Ansley after becoming agitated when denied a toy. While the Appellate Division found substantial evidence to support the misconduct, it deemed the penalty of termination disproportionate given Ansley's 20-year unblemished record and the un-premeditated nature of her action. Consequently, the court modified the determination by vacating the termination and remitting the case to the respondent for a less severe disciplinary imposition. The dissenting justices argued that termination was an appropriate penalty considering the seriousness of striking a student.

School bus driverDisciplinary actionEmployment terminationCivil Service Law § 75CPLR Article 78 proceedingSpecial needs studentPhysical altercationProportionality of penaltyJudicial reviewAbuse of discretion
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 03, 1998

Lebovits v. Chase Manhattan Bank (In Re Lebovits)

Daniel Lebovits, a Chapter 7 debtor, filed an adversary proceeding to discharge his student loan debt, arguing it imposed an "undue hardship." The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, Judge Dorothy Eisenberg, found that repayment of the $49,040.12 debt would indeed cause undue hardship for Lebovits and his seven dependents. The court applied the three-prong Brunner test, determining that Lebovits could not maintain a minimal standard of living, his financial difficulties would persist, and he had made good faith efforts to repay. Consequently, the court granted the discharge of the student loans.

Student Loan DischargeUndue HardshipBankruptcy Chapter 7Brunner TestDebtor's DependentsFinancial HardshipMinimal Standard of LivingGood Faith RepaymentReligious FreedomFamily Expenses
References
19
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Handicapped Child

The Orchard Park Central School District (District) sought a court-ordered subpoena for psychiatric and psychological records of an infant student from the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center. The District intended to use these records in an appeal initiated by the student's parents concerning the child's handicapping condition. The parents cross-moved to quash the subpoena, asserting the records were privileged and their consent for release had been withdrawn. Justice Thomas P. Flaherty ruled that no legislative exception existed to abrogate the physician-patient and psychologist-client privileges in this context, especially over parental objection. Consequently, the court denied the District's motion for the subpoena and granted the parents' cross-motion to quash, underscoring the protection of confidential communications in a child's best interests.

Education LawStudent RecordsPsychiatric RecordsPsychological RecordsPrivilegeSubpoena Duces TecumMotion to QuashParental RightsCommittee on HandicappedFair Hearing
References
17
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Bene v. Educational Credit Management Corp. (In re Bene)

Ms. Bene, a 64-year-old assembly line worker facing imminent job loss, sought to discharge her $56,000 student loan debt after making minimal payments over 25 years. The court analyzed her case under the 'undue hardship' test established in In re Brunner, considering how economic terms and the William D. Ford Program's debt forgiveness options have evolved since 1987. Despite earlier life choices, such as prioritizing parental care over completing her education, the court concluded that Ms. Bene met both the Brunner test and a 'totality of circumstances' test, citing her age, lack of professional qualifications, austere lifestyle, and absence of future financial prospects. Consequently, the court ordered the discharge of her student loan debt.

Student LoansUndue HardshipBrunner TestWilliam D. Ford ProgramBankruptcy DischargeFinancial DistressElderly DebtorCaregivingEmployment PrecarityEconomic Circumstances
References
13
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