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. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lynch v. Waterfront Commission

The president of the New York Shipping Association-International Longshoremen’s Association Medical Center of New York, Inc. moved to quash a subpoena duces tecum issued by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. The movant argued that the commission lacked jurisdiction, the subpoena was overly broad, and it demanded privileged medical records. The commission initiated the investigation after the New York State Department of Insurance found discrepancies during an audit of the medical center’s welfare fund, specifically regarding a contract with T. C. Dental Laboratories, which was also implicated in irregularities in a New Jersey investigation. The court denied the motion, affirming the commission's jurisdiction under the Waterfront Commission Compact, stating that misuse of worker funds constitutes a 'waterfront practice' within its purview. The court also found the subpoena was not unduly broad, as it requested only corporate minutes relevant to the investigation, and confirmed that privileged medical records were not required.

Subpoena QuashWaterfront CommissionJudicial ReviewCorporate GovernanceFinancial AuditMedical FundDental ServicesLabor WelfareRegulatory JurisdictionCorrupt Practices
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 13, 1978

People ex rel. Hickox v. Hickox

In a child custody proceeding, the petitioner father sought the respondent mother's psychiatric records from Payne-Whitney Psychiatric Clinic via a subpoena duces tecum. Special Term granted the motion to quash the subpoena. On appeal, the order was reversed, and the motion to quash was denied. The appellate court clarified that a subpoena does not equate to an order of disclosure and directed that the Special Term Justice must first examine the records to determine their relevance, whether the physician-patient privilege (CPLR 4504) has been waived, and the necessity of disclosure for the custody determination, prioritizing the child's welfare while guarding against unnecessary revelation of confidential information. The court emphasized a cautious approach to disclosure, especially in light of the potential 'chilling effect' on parents seeking psychiatric help.

Child CustodySubpoena Duces TecumPsychiatric RecordsPhysician-Patient PrivilegeConfidentialityWaiver of PrivilegeDisclosure LimitationsAppellate ReviewJudicial DiscretionWelfare of the Child
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Russo v. Hardy

The Monroe County Department of Social Services, as petitioner in a paternity case against 'X' concerning a child born to 'Y', filed a motion to quash a subpoena duces tecum. The subpoena sought records related to assistance given to 'Y' and her statements about the child's parentage. The Department argued confidentiality under Social Services Law and CPLR. The court, presided by Judge Joseph T. Pilato, denied the motion, ruling that such records are not uniformly confidential and that special circumstances exist, especially given the infant's rights and the necessity of all available evidence for a paternity determination. The court ordered disclosure of relevant records to the respondent, limited to conversations between the petitioner and the caseworker.

paternity casesubpoena duces tecumconfidentialitysocial services recordsspecial circumstancesfiliation proceedingdisclosureinfant's rightsFamily CourtCPLR
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 16, 1988

In re the Grand Jury Subpoenas Served Upon Doe

The Grand Jury of New York County issued subpoenas duces tecum to the law firm of John Doe, P. C., seeking various records. John Doe, P. C. moved to quash or modify these subpoenas, asserting attorney-client and attorney work product privileges. After an in camera review of 109 files, the court denied the attorney-client privilege claim for two files due to insufficient proof of confidentiality. For the work product privilege, the court applied the crime-fraud exception for specific subpoenaed records, citing an ongoing investigation into corruption in personal injury litigation. The court also narrowly construed the work product privilege. Consequently, the motion was granted for eight specific files found to contain protected attorney work product, while denied for the remaining files. The records not protected by privilege were ordered to be delivered to the District Attorney by August 18, 1988, following service of the decision on August 16, 1988.

attorney-client privilegework product privilegesubpoenas duces tecumGrand Jury investigationcrime-fraud exceptionin camera inspectionlegal ethicsconfidentialityevidence disclosuremotion to quash
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re an Application to Quash a Subpoena Duces Tecum in Grand Jury Proceedings

The New York Court of Appeals held that a hospital under Grand Jury investigation for alleged crimes against patients (e.g., "no coding") cannot assert physician-patient or social worker-client privileges, or the patient’s right to privacy, to quash subpoenas for medical records. The court reasoned that these privileges are intended to protect patients, not to shield potential criminals. Additionally, the conditional privilege for material prepared for litigation (CPLR 3101 [d]) does not apply to Grand Jury subpoenas. The decision affirmed the denial of motions to quash subpoenas related to patients Maria M. and Daisy S., emphasizing the broad investigative powers of the Grand Jury.

Grand JurySubpoena Duces TecumPhysician-Patient PrivilegeSocial Worker-Client PrivilegePatient PrivacyMaterial Prepared for LitigationHospital InvestigationMedicaid Fraud ControlCriminal ActivityNo Coding
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 28, 1980

Parisi v. Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor

The Supreme Court, New York County, initially granted a petitioner's motion to modify a subpoena duces tecum issued by the Waterfront Commission, limiting its scope to the records of Dominick Mancini. However, this decision was unanimously reversed on appeal. The appellate court denied the petitioner's motion in its entirety, ruling that the subpoena, which sought sign-in and attendance records of waterfront workers' compensation patients treated by the petitioner (a doctor), was legitimate. The court found that the subpoena was neither arbitrary nor in excess of the commission's jurisdiction, citing the commission's ongoing investigation into fraudulent workers' compensation claims by longshoremen. The appellate court also concluded that the subpoena was not vague or overly broad.

Subpoena Duces TecumWaterfront CommissionWorkers' Compensation ClaimsFraud InvestigationJurisdiction of CommissionScope of SubpoenaAppellate ReviewMotion to Set AsideDenial of MotionRecords Production
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. LV

LV is the subject of a criminal proceeding for child abuse, prompting The People to seek a subpoena duces tecum for LV's child protective services records from the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services. RCDSS opposed, arguing the records were "unfounded" and sealed under Social Services Law § 422 (5), limiting disclosure. The court determined that the law's strict exceptions for unsealing, even when the subject is under prosecution, were not met, as the subpoena was not for a violation of Penal Law § 240.55 (3). Furthermore, the court rejected the attempt to subpoena social workers to indirectly access the inadmissible records. Consequently, the application for the subpoena duces tecum was denied.

Child Abuse AllegationsConfidential RecordsSocial Services LawSubpoena Duces TecumUnfounded Child Protective ReportsDisclosure RestrictionsCriminal ProceedingsRensselaer County Justice CourtStatutory InterpretationEvidence Admissibility
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Grand Jury Subpoenas for Local 17, 135, 257 & 608 of United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America

This case addresses a challenge by four Union Locals of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, AFL-CIO, against subpoenas duces tecum issued by a New York County Grand Jury. The subpoenas sought membership lists as part of an investigation into corruption within the carpentry and drywall industry. The Locals argued that the subpoenas violated their members' First Amendment associational rights and Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's decision, finding that the Grand Jury's legitimate and compelling need for the lists to conduct its corruption investigation outweighed the asserted constitutional concerns. The court concluded that the subpoenas were neither overly broad nor burdensome, and the information sought was relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Grand JurySubpoena Duces TecumFirst AmendmentFourth AmendmentAssociational RightsFreedom of AssociationUnreasonable Search and SeizureOverbreadthCompelling State InterestCorruption Investigation
References
24
Case No. ADJ9518031
Regular
Oct 16, 2014

MARIA LUISA GARCIA vs. GABRIEL STEFFENS AND KATHERINE E. BELL, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board granted defendant's Petition for Removal to address the dismissal of their Petition to Quash a subpoena duces tecum (SDT). The defendant argued the SDT was improperly served only on the defendant, not their counsel, despite notice of representation being filed. The Board agreed that failure to serve counsel renders an SDT void ab initio. Consequently, the Appeals Board rescinded the WCJ's dismissal order and returned the matter to the trial level for a merits determination of the Petition to Quash.

Petition for RemovalPetition to QuashSubpoena Duces TecumService of ProcessVoid ab initioMootnessIndustrial InjuryRight Upper ExtremityPsycheBaby Sitter
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Doe v. People

This opinion addresses an application filed by an unnamed hospital, referred to as the 'Petitioner,' seeking to quash two Grand Jury subpoenas duces tecum. These subpoenas, issued in August 1982 by the Deputy Attorney-General for Medicaid fraud control, sought patient medical records, including 'progress notes' and 'mechanical ventilation flow sheets.' The hospital argued against disclosure based on patient privacy rights and the physician-patient privilege. The court, presided over by Justice George J. Balbach, denied the application, reaffirming that a hospital under investigation for potential crimes against its patients cannot assert these privileges to obstruct a Grand Jury investigation. The decision emphasized the Grand Jury's broad investigatory powers and the principle that privileges are intended to protect patients, not shield alleged wrongdoers.

Grand JurySubpoena Duces TecumPhysician-Patient PrivilegePatient PrivacyMedicaid Fraud ControlHospital RecordsConfidentialityQuash SubpoenaCriminal InvestigationStatutory Interpretation
References
9
Showing 1-10 of 196 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