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

Case No. CV-22-1997
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 14, 2023

What Happened in Felix vs. Weber Metals Reconsideration?

Claimant, a New Jersey resident, was injured in California while on assignment and subsequently filed a claim for workers' compensation benefits in New York, listing a New York address for the employer. The employer and carrier contested the claim, arguing a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge found sufficient contacts with New York to establish jurisdiction. However, the Board reversed this decision, dismissing the claim due to a finding that subject matter jurisdiction had not been established. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that despite some New York connections such as the employer's parent company having offices in New York where claimant attended meetings, these contacts were insufficient to confer subject matter jurisdiction given the claimant's New Jersey residency, the California location of injury, the employer's office being typically in New Jersey, and New Jersey tax withholdings.

JurisdictionWorkers' CompensationOut-of-state injuryNew York contactsAppellate DivisionSubject Matter JurisdictionEmployment SitusConflict of LawsBoard decisionSufficiency of contacts
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

How Did the WCAB Rule in Hardgrove vs. Intercon Security?

The plaintiffs, Rodrigo and Maria Magana, filed a personal injury lawsuit against Robert B. Miller & Associates (barge owner), Hammer & Steel, Inc. (steel supplier), and Poston Industrial Maintenance Company, Inc. (coating applicator) after Rodrigo Magana was severely injured by a falling chunk of concrete while unloading a steel piling sheet from a barge in the Houston Ship Channel on January 4, 2001. Defendants Miller and Hammer filed motions to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, arguing the claims lacked admiralty flavor. The Court, presided over by District Judge Kent, denied both motions. While finding that 33 U.S.C. § 905(b) and Article III admiralty jurisdiction were not directly applicable, the Court determined it had jurisdiction over Miller via the Admiralty Extension Act (AEA), 46 App. U.S.C. § 740, because the injury was caused by a vessel or its appurtenance (the concrete). Supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 was found for the claims against Hammer and Poston due to their relation to the claims against Miller. The Court ordered Plaintiffs to file an Amended Complaint to specify the governing law for each cause of action against each defendant.

Personal InjuryAdmiralty LawMaritime JurisdictionLongshoremenLHWCAAdmiralty Extension ActSubject Matter JurisdictionMotion to DismissNegligenceShip-side Accident
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Did the WCAB Decide in Cuadra vs. Community Home Care?

A claimant, a chef manager, sustained work-related injuries in Florida in May 2011 while working for an uninsured employer. Despite the injury occurring out-of-state, the claimant, a New York resident, filed a workers' compensation claim in New York. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge found sufficient contacts with New York to establish subject matter jurisdiction. The Uninsured Employers’ Fund (UEF) and the employer sought review, which was initially declined for untimeliness/service issues. Subsequently, the Board exercised discretion to address the employer's application on its merits and affirmed the Workers' Compensation Law Judge's decision regarding jurisdiction. The employer then appealed this decision. The court affirmed the Board's determination, finding substantial evidence supported the Board's conclusion of significant contacts with New York, thus establishing subject matter jurisdiction.

Workers' CompensationJurisdictionOut-of-state injuryNew York residencyUninsured employerAppellate DivisionBoard discretionSignificant contactsSubject matter jurisdictionChef
References
6
Case No. 532903
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 06, 2022

How Were Death Benefits Handled in Bocanegra vs. Sun-Gro Commodities?

Joanne Fuller-Astarita, a bus driver's assistant, was injured in a work-related incident. Although she did not file a claim, her employer did, leading to a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) ruling that she sustained work-related injuries. Fuller-Astarita's subsequent application for review to the Workers' Compensation Board was denied due to incomplete filing, a decision later affirmed by the Appellate Division because Fuller-Astarita failed to challenge it in her brief. Following this, Fuller-Astarita sought a rehearing or reopening from the Board, asserting a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Board denied her application on the merits, concluding it possessed subject matter jurisdiction. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, finding no abuse of discretion, as the Board correctly determined jurisdiction based on the employment's significant contacts with New York, including Fuller-Astarita's residency, the accident location, and the employer's premises within the state.

Workers' CompensationAppellate ReviewSubject Matter JurisdictionRehearing ApplicationProcedural ComplianceBoard DiscretionEmployment InjuryNew York LawJurisdictional DisputeWorkers' Compensation Board
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Can a WCJ Be Disqualified for Appearance of Bias?

Plaintiff Anthony Tripodi initiated a lawsuit against Local Union No. 38 and its counsel, Dubin, for malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The case, initially filed in Connecticut, was transferred to the Southern District of New York. The central jurisdictional challenge arose from the Union's status as an unincorporated association with members in both Connecticut and New York, thereby destroying complete diversity of citizenship. The court, applying New York's choice of law rules, determined that New York law governed the substantive claims, which rendered the Union an indispensable party. Consequently, due to the lack of complete diversity and the indispensability of the Union, the court dismissed the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, advising the plaintiff to seek redress in state courts where both defendants could be pursued in a single action.

Malicious ProsecutionIntentional Infliction of Emotional DistressConnecticut Unfair Trade Practices ActSubject Matter JurisdictionDiversity JurisdictionIndispensable PartyChoice of LawNew York LawConnecticut LawFederal Rules of Civil Procedure
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Were the Key Rulings in Torrez vs. SuperShuttle?

Norris JM Banks, a federal employee, sued the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to recover legal and medical expenses. These expenses were incurred after his Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) disability benefits were initially terminated due to an OWCP procedural error involving a conflicted medical examiner. Although OWCP later reinstated his benefits, Banks sought damages for the period of suspension. The District Court granted the Government's motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court ruled that Banks' claims derived directly from his FECA benefits determination, making FECA the exclusive remedy and precluding judicial review under 5 U.S.C. § 8128(b). The court found no exception for constitutional claims or clear statutory violations that would allow it to exercise jurisdiction. The case was dismissed without prejudice.

FECAFTCASubject-Matter JurisdictionMotion to DismissExclusive RemedyJudicial Review BarDue ProcessAdministrative Procedure ActFederal EmployeesWorkers' Compensation
References
53
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 03716 [241 AD3d 101]
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 18, 2025

Why Was Removal Denied in Rush vs. California Correctional Institution?

Doran Construction Corp. initiated a CPLR article 52 proceeding against the New York State Insurance Fund (State Insurance Fund) as a garnishee to enforce a money judgment. The State Insurance Fund appealed an order from the Supreme Court, Westchester County, which denied its cross-motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the order, holding that Supreme Court possessed subject matter jurisdiction under CPLR 5207 and 5221 (a) (4) as the State Insurance Fund was acting as a garnishee holding funds for another, not as a judgment debtor. The Court also rejected the State Insurance Fund's arguments regarding public policy and the denial of discovery.

Subject Matter JurisdictionGarnishmentEnforcement of Money JudgmentsState AgenciesSovereign ImmunityCourt of ClaimsCPLR Article 52Appellate ReviewDiscoveryPublic Policy
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Did the WCAB Clarify in Ontiveros vs. Savers Stores?

Edward Kwitek, a driver for Midwest Transport, Inc., sued the United States Postal Service (USPS) under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) for injuries sustained while loading mail at a post office, alleging negligence by USPS employees. The government moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, asserting that Kwitek was an independent contractor and his injury resulted from a discretionary function, thereby making the FTCA's waiver of sovereign immunity inapplicable. The court denied the government's motion. It ruled that the independent contractor exception did not apply because the alleged negligence was on the part of USPS employees failing to perform their regular duties. Furthermore, the discretionary function exception was also inapplicable, as the alleged conduct was not policy-driven but rather a failure to follow established protocol. The case was then referred for a settlement conference.

Federal Tort Claims ActSovereign ImmunitySubject Matter JurisdictionIndependent Contractor ExceptionDiscretionary Function ExceptionNegligenceUnited States Postal ServicePersonal InjuryLoading Dock InjuryMotion to Dismiss
References
27
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Why Was Reconsideration Denied in Gomez vs. Dorothy Stevens?

Willie Hightower, a federal employee, sued the United States and three individual federal officers for alleged injuries from a 1999 arrest at a VA hospital campus. Hightower sought money damages under state tort laws via the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and constitutional claims under Bivens, despite having already received benefits under the Federal Employee's Compensation Act (FECA) for the same incident, which he certified as work-related. The court dismissed the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. It ruled that FECA provides the exclusive remedy for federal employees' work-related injuries, thereby precluding FTCA claims against the United States. Furthermore, Bivens claims against the United States are barred by sovereign immunity, and against individual federal employees, they are precluded by the comprehensive remedial schemes of FECA and the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA).

Federal Employee Compensation ActFederal Tort Claims ActBivens ActionSovereign ImmunitySubject Matter JurisdictionExcessive ForceFalse ArrestMalicious ProsecutionSlanderLibel
References
31
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Why Was Reconsideration Dismissed in Sabino vs. Johnson Pump Company?

This modified bench ruling addresses a motion by the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (Bakers' Union) to dismiss a debtor's Section 1113/1114 motion due to a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The central dispute revolves around whether Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code, which governs the rejection of collective bargaining agreements, applies to agreements that have technically expired but whose key terms remain in effect under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) until good faith bargaining to impasse. The Bakers' Union argued that expired agreements are not considered 'agreements' under Section 1113, a position the court largely concurred with, emphasizing the plain language of the statute and the distinction between Section 1113(e) and other subsections. Despite the debtor's arguments concerning the policy implications and potential interference with reorganization efforts, the court found insufficient evidence to extend the statute's language beyond its literal meaning. Consequently, the court granted the Bakers' Union's motion, concluding that Section 1113 does not apply to already expired collective bargaining agreements.

Collective Bargaining AgreementBankruptcy Code Section 1113Subject Matter JurisdictionNational Labor Relations Act (NLRA)Expired AgreementsDebtor in PossessionUnion Motion to DismissInterim ChangesGood Faith BargainingStatutory Interpretation
References
9
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