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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Bugge v. Sweet

Plaintiff appealed an order from the Supreme Court in Otsego County which set aside a jury verdict in his favor for $10,000 and directed a verdict for the defendant. The case stemmed from a 1975 motor vehicle accident, with the central legal question being whether the plaintiff sustained a "serious injury" as defined by Insurance Law § 671(4) at the time. The appellate court reviewed the medical evidence presented, specifically the testimony of the plaintiff's doctor. The court found the doctor's testimony regarding the permanency and causal link of the injury to the accident to be burdened with doubt, speculation, and inconsistency. Consequently, the appellate court determined that the plaintiff failed, as a matter of law, to establish the "serious injury" threshold required for recovery. Therefore, the order and judgment in favor of the defendant were affirmed.

Motor Vehicle AccidentPersonal InjurySerious Injury ThresholdInsurance LawSpinal FusionLumbo-sacral StrainCausationPermanencyMedical Expert TestimonyAppellate Review
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Carpenter v. Albee

Plaintiff Gary D. Carpenter, a blacktop paver, sustained serious injuries when he was struck and dragged by a dump truck driven by defendant Bruce W. Albee while working on Interstate Route 88. Carpenter and his wife commenced a personal injury action against Albee and his employer. A jury trial resulted in a verdict finding no negligence on the part of the defendants. Plaintiffs' motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial were denied. The plaintiffs appealed, arguing that the jury's finding of no negligence was against the weight of the evidence. The appellate court disagreed, finding that there was conflicting evidence that the jury could fairly interpret in the defendant's favor, and affirmed the lower court's judgment and order.

Personal InjuryNegligenceJury VerdictAppellate ReviewWeight of EvidenceAutomobile AccidentWorkplace AccidentConflicting TestimonyCredibility IssuesAffirmed Judgment
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 23, 1968

Weeks v. Beardsley

Raymond H. Weeks, an employee of joint venture contractors, died on October 30, 1964, after being struck by an automobile operated by Beverly J. Beardsley. The plaintiff appealed a Supreme Court judgment in favor of the defendants, which resulted from a jury verdict of no cause of action, and an order denying the plaintiff’s motion to set aside that verdict. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, concluding that the jury's findings regarding the decedent's contributory negligence and the defendant operator's freedom from negligence were supported by a fair interpretation of the evidence, and therefore, the verdict was not palpably wrong.

Wrongful DeathAutomobile AccidentContributory NegligenceJury VerdictAppellate ReviewEvidence SufficiencyNegligenceMotion to Set Aside VerdictTrial TermAffirmed Judgment
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 08, 1990

Hamrick v. City of Eustace

Billy Don Hamrick sued several defendants for an unlawful arrest and car search, stemming from a warrant based on misrepresentations by Officer Dewayne Mixon. Mixon and Officer Jim Lane arrested Hamrick, who was never prosecuted. Hamrick alleged constitutional rights violations, leading to a jury verdict against Mixon, Lane, and Chief James H. Cook. The court denied the defendants' motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict for Mixon and Lane, upholding jury damage awards of $30,000 and $5,000, respectively. However, the motion was granted for Chief Cook due to insufficient evidence of his liability. The court also denied the defendants' alternative motion for a new trial.

Civil Rights ViolationUnlawful ArrestUnlawful Search and SeizureFourth AmendmentQualified ImmunityJudgment Notwithstanding the VerdictPolice MisconductProbable CauseFalse ArrestDue Process
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rowe v. Board of Education

Plaintiff sued Chatham Central School District Middle School for negligence after sustaining injuries from a fall in the school cafeteria, allegedly due to accumulated mud, water, and a lack of rain mats. The defendant School District subsequently impleaded the Chatham Central Teachers’ Association, claiming the Association was in control of the cafeteria and responsible for the plaintiff's injuries. Following a trial, the jury rendered a verdict of no cause for action in favor of both the School District and the Association. However, Special Term set aside this verdict and granted a new trial, based on evidence suggesting an accumulation of mud and water and the defendant's failure to provide janitorial services. On appeal, the Appellate Division reversed Special Term's order, reinstating the original jury verdict, concluding that the jury's finding was not against the weight of the evidence given the conflicting testimony presented at trial.

NegligencePremises LiabilitySlip and FallJury VerdictWeight of EvidenceAppellate ReviewNew Trial Order ReversedSchool CafeteriaChatham Central School DistrictColumbia County
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Powell v. Sodus Cold Storage Co.

Plaintiff sustained injuries while installing insulation panels at defendant's facility when a co-worker dropped a rope used for hoisting a panel, causing it to strike the plaintiff. The defendant argued that Labor Law § 240 (1) did not apply due to a lack of height differential, but the Supreme Court denied their motion for a directed verdict, finding evidence of a height differential. The court concluded there was a triable issue of fact regarding the absence or inadequacy of a safety device under Labor Law § 240 (1). The appellate court affirmed the judgment, upholding the denial of the defendant's motion for a directed verdict and finding no error in the refusal to admit medical records or in the special verdict sheet.

Labor Law § 240 (1)Jury VerdictDirected VerdictHeight DifferentialSafety DeviceHoisting AccidentAppellate ReviewMedical Records AdmissibilitySpecial Verdict SheetPersonal Injury
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Teitelbaum

This case addresses defendants', who are police officers, motion to set aside a verdict of guilty for bribe receiving and official misconduct. The motion was based on alleged improper conduct by Juror No. 3, Lillian Feeley, who did not disclose her volunteer affiliation with the Queens County District Attorney's office during jury selection. A post-trial hearing revealed that Feeley was a volunteer court watcher for a public relations program, had no contact with legal staff, and exhibited no pro-prosecutorial bias. The court found that Feeley did not intentionally withhold information and that her association was too remote to the prosecution by a special State prosecutor to constitute bias. Consequently, the court denied the motion for a new trial, determining that any irregularity was harmless and did not impact the verdict.

Juror MisconductVoir DireFair TrialImpartial JuryVerdict NullificationCPL 330.30District Attorney AffiliationCourt Watcher ProgramActual BiasPrejudice
References
35
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pena v. Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

This case concerns an appeal and cross-appeal regarding a jury's finding that plaintiff Pedro Pena was not a special employee of the defendant, following an accident resulting in personal injuries. The Supreme Court, Suffolk County, had previously set aside the jury verdict and ordered a new trial. On appeal, the higher court reversed the Supreme Court's decision to set aside the jury verdict, thereby upholding the jury's original finding. Additionally, the defendant's cross-appeal for judgment as a matter of law was denied. The court emphasized that determining a special employment relationship is a question of fact for the jury, with several factors to consider. Ultimately, costs were awarded to the plaintiffs, affirming the jury's initial determination.

Special EmploymentWorkers' CompensationJury Verdict ReviewAppellate ProcedurePersonal Injury DamagesEmployer LiabilityVicarious LiabilityQuestion of FactTrial Court ReversalCosts Awarded
References
17
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pedone v. B & B Equipment Co.

In a personal injury action, the plaintiff sued B & B Equipment Co., Inc., alleging a defective backhoe caused injury. A jury found B & B negligent but not the proximate cause. The Supreme Court, Nassau County, set aside this verdict and granted a new trial on causation. On appeal, the order was reversed. The appellate court reinstated the jury's verdict, finding it supported by a fair interpretation of the evidence, particularly given conflicting testimony about how the accident occurred and the jury's role in assessing witness credibility. Consequently, the plaintiff's motion was denied, and the complaint was dismissed.

Personal InjuryNegligenceProximate CauseJury VerdictAppellate ReviewWeight of EvidenceCredibility AssessmentBackhoe AccidentCausationCPLR 4404
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 03, 1996

Gropper v. St. Luke's Hospital Center

In this personal injury action, the plaintiff, a steamfitter, alleged injuries from a slip and fall at a construction site. The defense claimed the accident was feigned, particularly highlighting inconsistencies in workers' compensation accident reports regarding the date of injury. The trial court initially set aside a jury verdict favoring the defendants and ordered a new trial on liability and damages. However, the Supreme Court, New York County, reversed this decision, finding that references to workers' compensation during summation were permissible as the plaintiff had 'opened the door' to the issue. Consequently, the jury's original verdict in favor of the defendants was reinstated, and the complaint was dismissed.

Personal InjuryWorkers' CompensationJury VerdictAppellate ReviewEvidentiary RulingSummation ArgumentInconsistent StatementsAccident ReportLiabilityDamages
References
2
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