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

Case No. 2015 NY Slip Op 30039[U]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 20, 2015

Lend Lease (US) Construction LMB Inc. v. Zurich American Insurance

Plaintiffs Extell West 57th Street and Lend Lease (US) Construction LMB Inc. sued their insurers, including Zurich and Travelers, after a construction crane at the One57 building was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The insurers denied coverage under a builder's risk policy, leading to a dispute over whether the crane qualified as a 'temporary work' and if it was excluded as 'contractor's tools.' The lower court denied summary judgment, finding factual issues. On appeal, the majority granted summary judgment to the defendants, declaring no coverage. The dissenting opinion argues that the crane should be considered a 'temporary structure' and the 'contractor's tools' exclusion should not apply, but concurs that summary judgment for plaintiffs was improper due to a factual dispute regarding whether the crane's value was included in the total project value.

Insurance coverage disputeBuilder's risk policyTemporary structuresContractor's tools exclusionSuperstorm SandyConstruction crane damageSummary judgmentContract interpretationEjusdem generisNoscitur a sociis
References
17
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 07642
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 17, 2020

Matter of Thomas (US Pack Logistics, LLC--Commissioner of Labor)

Aston R. Thomas, a claimant, was hired by US Pack Logistics, LLC to deliver blood samples. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board determined that Thomas was an employee of US Pack Logistics, LLC, making the company liable for unemployment insurance contributions. US Pack Logistics, LLC appealed this decision to the Appellate Division, Third Department. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's finding of an employer-employee relationship, noting that US Pack Logistics, LLC exercised sufficient supervision, direction, and control over significant aspects of Thomas's work, despite Thomas using his own vehicle and not being reimbursed for expenses. The court emphasized that the determination of an employment relationship is a question of fact, and the Board's decision, if supported by substantial evidence, is beyond further judicial review.

Unemployment Insurance LawEmployer-Employee RelationshipIndependent ContractorControl TestAppellate ReviewUnemployment Insurance ContributionsLabor LawSubstantial EvidenceUnemployment Insurance Appeal BoardJudiciary Law
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 19, 1994

Comer v. Titan Tool, Inc.

Plaintiffs Delores Comer and Patricia Edelson, as personal representatives of Michael Comer's estate, brought a diversity action for wrongful death against Titan Tool, Inc., the manufacturer of a paint sprayer Michael Comer was using when he died. Titan Tool, Inc. then filed a third-party complaint seeking contribution from Rock & Waterscape Systems, Inc. (R&W), Comer's employer. R&W moved for summary judgment, arguing that under Florida workers’ compensation law, a death benefit payment to Delores Comer barred further liability. The court, applying New York's choice of law rules and interest analysis, found no basis for applying Florida law as R&W is a California domiciliary. The court denied R&W's motion for summary judgment, stating that triable issues remained regarding the choice of law question between New York and California, as Florida law could not control the case.

wrongful deathsummary judgmentchoice of lawdiversity jurisdictionworkers' compensationdomicileloss allocationtort lawemployer liabilityproduct liability
References
37
Case No. ADJ9546016
Regular
Sep 04, 2015

JAMES ISBORN vs. US TOOL GRINDING, INC., ARGONAUT INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration of a prior June 9, 2015, Findings and Order. This grant is for further study of the factual and legal issues to ensure a just and reasoned decision. All future correspondence related to the petition must be filed with the WCAB Commissioners in San Francisco, not the district office or e-filed. Trial-level documents unrelated to the petition should continue to be filed as usual, but settlements require prompt notification of the WCAB.

IsbornUS Tool GrindingArgonaut InsuranceADJ9546016Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderJune 9 2015statutory time constraintsfactual issueslegal issues
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Wang v. Phoenix Satellite Television US, Inc.

Plaintiff Lihuan Wang, an unpaid intern, sued Phoenix Satellite Television US, Inc. for employment discrimination under the NYSHRL and NYCHRL. She alleged hostile work environment, quid pro quo sexual harassment, and retaliation by bureau chief Zhengzhu Liu, and a failure to hire her due to discriminatory animus. Phoenix moved to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. The Court granted Phoenix's motion to dismiss Ms. Wang's hostile work environment claim, ruling that as an unpaid intern, she does not qualify as an 'employee' under the NYCHRL. However, the Court denied Phoenix's motion to dismiss Ms. Wang's remaining failure to hire claims, finding she plausibly alleged an informal application process for unposted vacancies.

Employment DiscriminationSexual HarassmentHostile Work EnvironmentFailure to HireUnpaid InternNYSHRLNYCHRLMotion to DismissEmployee DefinitionQuid Pro Quo
References
38
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Khan v. Douglas MacHine & Tool Co., Inc.

Subhan Khan sued Douglas Machine & Tool Company, Inc. and TurboCombustor Technology, Inc. for failure to pay sums due under a debenture. Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing Khan violated a Subordination Agreement by attempting to collect on a junior debt without the senior creditor's consent. Khan cross-moved for summary judgment, asserting the Subordination Agreement was invalidly assigned or that the senior debt had been paid. The court found the Subordination Agreement validly assigned and in force, and that Khan failed to provide sufficient admissible evidence that the senior debt was extinguished. Consequently, the court granted defendants' motion for summary judgment and dismissed Khan's action, while denying Khan's cross-motion.

Summary JudgmentDebentureSubordination AgreementContract LawAssignment of ContractCorporate Veil PiercingOhio LawNew York LawDiversity JurisdictionFederal Rules of Civil Procedure
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

474431 Associates v. AXA Global Risks US Insurance

This case involves an appeal by Allcity Insurance Company in a consolidated action seeking a declaratory judgment regarding co-insurance liability between Allcity and AXA Global Risks US Insurance Company. The dispute arose from an underlying action where an injured worker obtained a judgment against a property owner, which was satisfied by the owner's insurer, AIG. AIG then sought reimbursement from the worker's employer's carriers, Allcity (worker's compensation) and AXA (general liability). The Supreme Court initially favored AXA, but the appellate court reversed, holding that AXA's disclaimer of coverage was untimely under Insurance Law § 3420 (d). The matter was remitted to declare AXA a co-insurer with Allcity.

Insurance Law § 3420 (d)Disclaimer of CoverageTimely Notice RequirementCo-Insurance DisputeGeneral Liability InsuranceWorker's Compensation InsuranceSummary Judgment MotionAppellate Court DecisionDeclaratory ReliefPolicy Exclusion
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Moll v. US Life Title Insurance Co. of New York

The case involves plaintiffs Moll, Elser, McGuire, and Harlow suing US Life Title Insurance Company of New York, asserting claims under RESPA, RICO, and state laws. Plaintiffs alleged misrepresentation, failure to disclose kickbacks to attorneys, and aiding and abetting fraud related to title insurance premiums. The court found plaintiffs failed to adequately allege mail fraud or commercial bribery as predicate acts for RICO claims, citing insufficient evidence of misrepresentation, a duty to disclose, substantial assistance in fraud, or economic harm due to non-negotiable premiums. Consequently, the defendant's motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint was granted, leave to replead was denied, and pendent state law claims were dismissed for lack of federal jurisdiction.

RICO ActRESPA ActMail FraudCommercial BriberyFraud AllegationsMotion to DismissPendent State ClaimsRule 12(b)(6)Rule 9(b)Title Insurance
References
33
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 00383
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 21, 2020

U-Trend N.Y. Inv. L.P. v. US Suite LLC

This case involves an appeal concerning a judgment awarding mortgage damages to U-Trend New York Investment L.P. against US Suite LLC and Aura Investments Ltd. The Appellate Division, First Department, modified the Supreme Court's judgment by reducing the principal amount of mortgage damages awarded to U-Trend, stating that interest should be calculated at 13.5% instead of 20%. The court affirmed the judgment in other respects, including the limitation of Aura's liability for looting damages and the denial of sale damages and attorneys' fees. An appeal from a separate order denying Aura's motion to correct or vacate the judgment was dismissed as academic. The court addressed various arguments from Aura regarding liability, causation, and damages calculations, ultimately upholding liability for breach of contract but adjusting the damages amount based on the proper interest rate.

Mortgage DamagesBreach of ContractFiduciary DutyLooting DamagesInterest Rate CalculationAppellate ReviewBusiness Judgment RuleJudicial AdmissionsDerivative ClaimsAttorneys' Fees
References
20
Case No. ADJ7979998
Regular
Sep 09, 2013

JOSE OCOTOXTLE vs. McDONALD'S, US FIDELITY & GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY, SEDGWICK CMS, INC.

This case involves US Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Company seeking reconsideration of a Compromise and Release Agreement approved in a separate workers' compensation claim. US Fidelity argues the judge exceeded authority by approving a settlement that did not account for apportionment with a McDonald's claim where they were the insurer. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, holding that the settlement of a separate cumulative trauma claim against a different employer does not affect US Fidelity's liability for applicant's McDonald's injury. The Board noted US Fidelity can pursue contribution proceedings under Labor Code section 5500.5(h) if needed.

US Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance CompanyMcDonald'sJose OcotoxtleLiberty MutualDarden RestaurantsOlive Gardencumulative trauma injuryAugust 212009 industrial injuryADJ7979998
References
1
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