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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 12, 2001

Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund v. Thomasen Construction Co.

The case involved a dispute between the Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund and Mason Tenders District Council (plaintiffs) and Thomsen Construction Company, Inc., along with its owner, Stephen Thomsen (defendants). While Thomsen Construction conceded liability for failing to make contributions to the Funds, the central issue was whether Stephen Thomsen could be held personally liable. The court applied New York law concerning an agent's personal liability, which requires clear and explicit evidence of intent to assume personal liability, and considered factors such as contract negotiation and the signatory's role. The court found that the personal liability clause was not negotiated, and Thomsen signed in his official capacity as president, intending to avoid personal liability through incorporation. Consequently, the court ruled that Stephen Thomsen was not personally liable, entering judgment in his favor, although judgment was entered against Thomsen Construction, Inc.

Labor LawEmployee BenefitsERISALMRACorporate LiabilityPiercing the Corporate VeilContract LawAgency LawNew York LawFederal Jurisdiction
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund v. M & M Contracting & Consulting

The plaintiffs, a group of Mason Tenders District Council Funds and associated entities, along with the Union and its managers, sued M & M Contracting & Consulting and its president, Michael T. Moscato, Jr. The suit, brought under ERISA and the Taft-Hartley Act, sought to compel defendants to fulfill their statutory and contractual obligations regarding monetary contributions, reports, dues checkoffs, and NYLPAC contributions. Following the defendants' failure to respond, a default judgment was entered against them. The defendants subsequently moved to vacate this judgment, citing excusable neglect due to their attorney's negligence, a meritorious defense, and a lack of personal jurisdiction over Moscato. The District Court denied the defendants' motion, concluding that their default was willful and dilatory, their defense lacked merit, and personal jurisdiction over Moscato was properly established according to N.Y.C.P.L.R.

Default JudgmentMotion to VacateExcusable NeglectAttorney MalpracticeMeritorious DefensePersonal JurisdictionERISATaft-Hartley ActEmployee BenefitsDues Checkoff
References
10
Case No. 909 F.Supp. 882
Regular Panel Decision
May 15, 1995

United States v. Mason Tenders Dist. Council of Greater NY

The United States and the Secretary of Labor sought partial summary judgment against James Lupo and Joseph Fater, former trustees of the Mason Tenders District Council’s Pension and Welfare Funds, alleging ERISA violations. The defendants were accused of breaching their fiduciary duties through imprudent real estate investments in New York and Florida, specifically by purchasing properties at inflated prices without proper investigation or required expert advice. The Court granted the Government's motion for partial summary judgment, finding that Lupo and Fater failed to act as prudent fiduciaries. Additionally, the Court denied Fater's cross-motion for summary judgment and subsequently denied the defendants' motion for reconsideration, which included a waived statute of limitations defense. This decision affirmed the trustees' liability for their failure to adequately manage the trust funds.

ERISA violationsFiduciary duty breachPension fund mismanagementWelfare fund investmentsSummary judgmentReal estate investmentsTrustee liabilityPrudent person standardStatute of limitations defenseReconsideration denied
References
43
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Microtech Contracting Corp. v. Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York

Plaintiff Microtech Contracting Corporation sought a preliminary injunction to stop defendants, including the Mason Tenders District Council and Local 78, from displaying an inflatable rat at its work sites. Microtech argued this conduct violated a 'no-strike' provision in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The District Court denied the motion, citing a lack of jurisdiction under the Norris-LaGuardia Act because the underlying labor dispute was not subject to mandatory arbitration as per the CBA. The court also held that Section 104 of the Act specifically prohibits injunctions against publicizing labor disputes by non-fraudulent or non-violent means. Furthermore, the court determined that even if jurisdiction existed, the use of the inflatable rat was protected First Amendment speech and did not fall under the 'disruptive activity' clause of the CBA, which was interpreted to apply only to actions similar to work stoppages.

labor disputepreliminary injunctionNorris-LaGuardia Actcollective bargaining agreementFirst Amendmentinflatable ratunion protestno-strike clausearbitrabilityjurisdiction
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Estate of Toribio

The case involves an uncontested proceeding for an administrator to resign and for a successor to be appointed. The initial administrator, Jennifer, wishes to resign from her role in the estate of her three-year-old sister, Jannin, who died tragically. She requests the court appoint their father, Domingo Toribio, as the new administrator. The primary legal question addressed by Surrogate Kristin Booth Glen is whether Mr. Toribio, who only speaks, reads, and writes in Spanish, is qualified to serve as a fiduciary under SCPA 707 (2), which allows a court discretion to declare a person unable to read and write English ineligible. The court examines the legislative intent, relevant case law, and societal changes regarding disability and non-English-speaking populations, particularly in New York City. The opinion concludes that English language competence should not be a prerequisite for fiduciary status unless no reasonable accommodations are possible, and grants the application for Jennifer's resignation and Domingo Toribio's appointment, noting he and his counsel have established satisfactory communication.

Estate AdministrationSurrogate's CourtFiduciary AppointmentLanguage BarrierEnglish ProficiencySCPA 707 (2)Multilingual SocietyJudicial DiscretionCivil RightsAccess to Justice
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund v. United City Contracting Inc.

Plaintiffs, including various Mason Tenders District Council Funds and the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York (the Union), brought an action under ERISA and LMRA against Daniel Palmadessa, a former Vice President and fifty-percent shareholder of United City Contracting Inc. The plaintiffs sought to recover fringe benefit contributions, union dues check-offs, and political action committee contributions, arguing Palmadessa was personally liable under collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) from 1987, 1990, and 1993. The court found Palmadessa personally liable for United City’s obligations under the 1987 Agreement due to its explicit personal liability clause. However, the court concluded that Palmadessa was not personally liable under the 1990 and 1993 Agreements because their signature clauses modified the 1987 Agreement by removing any reference to personal liability. Consequently, the court denied the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and granted Palmadessa's motion for summary judgment.

ERISALMRACollective Bargaining AgreementPersonal LiabilitySummary JudgmentFringe BenefitsUnion DuesMulti-employer PlansTrust FundsCorporate Officer Liability
References
9
Case No. 02 Civ.0032 VM
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 21, 2004

Campanella v. MASON TENDERS'DIST. COUNCIL PENSION

The Campanella brothers, retired participants, sued the Mason Tenders' District Council Pension Plan and its Board of Trustees, alleging multiple ERISA violations regarding pension benefit accrual, vesting standards, and credit for workers' compensation. They challenged the Plan's accrual ranges, anti-backloading provisions, and the policy regarding service credit during disability. The defendants filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The court denied the plaintiffs' motion and granted the defendants' motion, finding that the Plan adhered to ERISA requirements on all substantive points, including minimum accrual standards and vesting. Additionally, claims for interest on delayed benefits and penalties against the Trustees for document production were denied, with the court concluding that no unreasonable delay or bad faith was demonstrated.

ERISAPension BenefitsDisability PensionAccrued BenefitsVesting StandardsStatute of LimitationsSummary JudgmentWorkers' CompensationFiduciary DutyPlan Administration
References
38
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Trustees of the Mason Tenders, District Council Welfare Fund, Pension Fund, Annuity Fund & Training Program Fund v. Faulkner

Plaintiffs, comprised of Trustees of Mason Tenders District Council Welfare, Pension, Annuity, and Training Program Funds, and the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York, initiated legal action against Thomas Faulkner d/b/a American Demolition and Thomas Faulkner individually. The suit, filed under ERISA and the Taft-Hartley Act, alleged the defendants failed to allow an audit of their records and did not make required contributions to the plaintiff funds as stipulated by a collective bargaining agreement. Following a default judgment, Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox issued a Report and Recommendation. Plaintiffs objected to portions of this report, specifically regarding Faulkner's personal liability and the awarded attorneys' fees. Upon de novo review, District Judge Holwell modified the Report, determining that Faulkner was personally liable for the business's debts and awarding the full amount of attorneys' fees requested by the plaintiffs, totaling $6,588.75.

ERISATaft-Hartley ActEmployee BenefitsPension FundsWelfare FundsCollective BargainingAudit DisputesDefault JudgmentPersonal LiabilitySole Proprietorship
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Campanella v. Mason Tenders' District Council Pension Plan

Plaintiffs Nicola and Pietro Campanella, retired participants in the Mason Tenders’ District Council Pension Plan, sued the Plan and its Board of Trustees under ERISA, alleging multiple violations. Both parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The court granted the Defendants' motion and denied the Campanellas' motion, finding their claims regarding accrual ranges, minimum accrual standards, minimum vesting standards, and credit for workers’ compensation to be without merit. Additionally, the court upheld the Trustees' interpretation regarding Pietro Campanella's pre-break service and denied the Campanellas' claims for interest on delayed benefits and statutory penalties, concluding that there was no unreasonable delay or bad faith.

ERISAPension PlanDisability BenefitsSummary JudgmentVesting StandardsAccrual RatesWorkers' CompensationStatute of LimitationsExhaustion of RemediesFiduciary Duty
References
39
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York v. Phase Construction Services, Inc.

This opinion and order addresses motions brought by the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York, various associated Funds, and John Virga (Plaintiffs) against Phase Construction Services, Inc. and SL Construction Group, Inc. (Defendants). Plaintiffs alleged breach of contract and violations of the Taft-Hartley Act and ERISA. The Court granted Plaintiffs' motion to amend the complaint to include Salvatore LaBarca and Phase NY as defendants, finding good cause despite delays due to ongoing discovery issues and diligence in seeking amendment upon discovering new facts regarding LaBarca's corporate conduct and the creation of Phase NY. The Court also granted Plaintiffs' motion to compel discovery, citing Defendants' continued non-compliance and awarding attorneys' fees.

Breach of ContractERISA ViolationsTaft-Hartley ActMotion to Amend ComplaintMotion to Compel DiscoveryCorporate Veil PiercingAlter Ego LiabilitySingle Employer DoctrineDiscovery DisputesCourt Sanctions
References
52
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