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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
Jun 22, 2015

Claim of Barrett v. New York City Department of Transportation

The case involves an appeal from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant injured in a 2011 work-related motor vehicle accident. A WCLJ classified the claimant with a permanent partial disability and a 25% loss of wage-earning capacity, ruling that he would be entitled to 250 weeks of benefits if his full wages ceased. The Board affirmed this, leading the employer to appeal, arguing that the claimant's current full wages meant a 100% wage-earning capacity, rendering the 25% loss finding unlawful. The court affirmed the Board’s decision, distinguishing between 'loss of wage-earning capacity' (fixed, for benefit duration) and 'wage-earning capacity' (fluctuating, for weekly rates).

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning CapacityLoss of Wage-Earning CapacityBenefit DurationAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationMotor Vehicle AccidentNew York Workers' Compensation BoardDisability Classification
References
2
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 02959
Regular Panel Decision
May 14, 2025

Weekes v. Tishman Tech. Corp.

Samuel Weekes, an employee, was injured while dismantling a scaffold at a construction site managed by Tishman Technologies Corporation. He sued, alleging violations of Labor Law § 240(1) and § 241(6). The Supreme Court initially denied Weekes's summary judgment motion and granted the defendants' cross-motion to dismiss, also denying Weekes's motion for leave to renew. The Appellate Division modified the Supreme Court's order, ruling that Tishman could be considered a statutory agent of the owner due to its control over safety. The court also found that Weekes's activity was covered under Labor Law § 240(1) and that triable issues of fact existed regarding the elevation-related hazard and proximate cause, thereby denying the defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment. The denial of Weekes's motion for leave to renew was affirmed, and part of the appeal from the November 4, 2020 order was dismissed as academic.

Construction AccidentLabor Law Section 240(1)Labor Law Section 241(6)Industrial Code ViolationScaffold SafetyElevation HazardSummary JudgmentStatutory AgentConstruction Manager LiabilityTriable Issues of Fact
References
36
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Kennedy v. Weeks Marine, Inc.

Martin R. Kennedy was injured while working on a barge chartered by his employer, American Bridge Company, from Week’s Marine, Inc. Kennedy fell from a wooden plank serving as the barge's gangway, which was supplied by American Bridge. He brought suit pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), but Magistrate Judge David F. Jordan granted summary judgment for Week’s Marine, concluding they had no duty to provide a safe gangway under a bare boat charter. Kennedy appealed this judgment, arguing Week's Marine had knowledge of workers on the barge. The District Court affirmed the lower court's decision, ruling that Week's Marine, having relinquished control of the vessel in a bare boat charter, was not responsible for conditions arising after the charter or for providing a gangway, as the charterer, American Bridge, became the owner pro hac vice and bore that duty.

Bare Boat CharterMaritime LawSummary JudgmentLongshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation ActVessel Owner LiabilityCharterer LiabilityGangway SafetyDuty of CareOwner Pro Hac ViceAppellate Review
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gioia v. Cattaraugus County Nursing Home

The case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant's reduced earnings award. The claimant, a nurse's aide with a permanent partial disability from a back injury, had her weekly compensation rate adjusted by the Board to be based on her actual reduced earnings from her current job, rather than her degree of disability. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier appealed, arguing that the Board should have considered the claimant's capacity to earn more. The court affirmed the Board's decision, reiterating that for claimants demonstrating labor market attachment, wage-earning capacity must be determined exclusively by actual earnings during disability, as evidence of capacity to earn more or less, including medical evidence of disability degree, is prohibited.

reduced earnings awardpermanent partial disabilitywage earning capacitylabor market attachmentactual earningsworkers' compensation lawappeal decisionjudicial reviewindependent medical examinationemployer appeal
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 17, 1977

Orbinati v. Utica Mutual Insurance

A claimant, employed as a physical education teacher and track/football coach by the Utica City School District, sustained an injury in August 1970. His average weekly wage was calculated to include his coaching stipend. Following his injury, he returned to his teaching role with restrictions that prevented him from coaching. Despite subsequent salary increments resulting in a higher overall salary than his pre-injury average weekly wage, the claimant contended he was experiencing reduced earnings due to the loss of his coaching allowance. The Workers’ Compensation Board and the referee affirmed there were no reduced earnings, concluding that his teaching and coaching constituted a single, integrated employment. This decision was subsequently affirmed without costs.

Workers' CompensationReduced EarningsAverage Weekly Wage CalculationDual EmploymentSingle EmploymentCoaching StipendUtica City School DistrictWorkers' Compensation LawAppellate DecisionInjury in Course of Employment
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Barnard v. John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.

The claimant sustained work-related injuries to both hands in 2004 and applied for workers’ compensation benefits. Initially, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge set the average weekly wage at $447.10 using a 260-multiple. The employer appealed, arguing for a lower wage based on actual earnings. The Workers’ Compensation Board subsequently determined a miscalculation occurred and established the average weekly wage at $343.92, applying a 200-multiple under Workers’ Compensation Law § 14 (3) because the claimant did not work substantially the whole year. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, finding the 200-multiple accurately reflected the claimant's earning capacity, as she was a full-time employee who did not voluntarily limit her availability.

Workers' CompensationAverage Weekly WageWage CalculationSection 14MultiplierEarning CapacityAppellate ReviewBoard DecisionOccupational DiseaseNew York
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Calise v. Hillside Carting, Inc.

Claimant, classified with a permanent partial disability after a 1994 injury, received reduced earnings benefits. In 2002, the State Insurance Fund (SIF) sought to terminate these benefits, arguing claimant's post-injury corporate profits should be included in his wage earning capacity. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge initially reduced the award, but the Workers’ Compensation Board modified this, determining claimant's average weekly wage based on W-2s and tax returns, separating profits from earnings. On appeal, the court affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing that business profits are not considered earnings for Workers' Compensation Law § 15 (5-a) purposes and upholding the Board's factual determination as supported by substantial evidence.

Workers' CompensationAverage Weekly WageReduced Earnings BenefitsPermanent Partial DisabilityCorporate ProfitsWage Earning CapacityTax ReturnsWorkers’ Compensation Law § 15(5-a)Appellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 29, 1999

Claim of Fisher v. Combined Life Insurance

In November 1995, the claimant suffered work-related injuries to his neck, back, and knee. He received workers' compensation benefits for total disability until January 5, 1996. Subsequently, the employer challenged his entitlement to partial disability benefits, asserting that the claimant had no reduced earnings after that date. The Workers' Compensation Board ultimately concluded that the claimant's wage earning capacity in 1996 surpassed his average weekly wage, thereby denying benefits post-January 5, 1996. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding sufficient evidence to support the factual determination that the claimant's 1996 income from self-employment constituted earnings rather than profits under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (5-a).

Workers' CompensationPartial DisabilityReduced EarningsWage Earning CapacitySelf-Employment IncomeProfits vs. EarningsBoard FindingsFactual IssuesCredibilityAppellate Review
References
3
Case No. ADJ2610305 (WCK 63412) ADJ3981181 (WCK 63413) ADJ1135990 (OAK 339001)
Regular
Mar 24, 2009

CATHY D. KRAUS vs. VETERINARY SURGICAL ASSOCIATES, FIREMAN'S FUND

This case involves a dispute over the correct temporary disability indemnity rate for an applicant injured in 2001. The applicant's original agreed rate was $420 per week based on $630 average weekly earnings, but a subsequent injury in 2006 led to payments at $480 per week. The WCJ awarded an indemnity rate of "at least $480 per week" for the 2001 injury, citing post-injury earnings as evidence of earning capacity. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the award, and remanded for further proceedings. The Board emphasized that post-injury earnings should only be considered if scheduled or reasonably anticipated at the time of the 2001 injury, per *Kyllonen*, and noted insufficient analysis in the WCJ's decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardTemporary Disability IndemnityAverage Weekly EarningsIndustrial InjuryShouldersLabor Code § 4656(c)StipulationsAgreed Medical Evaluator
References
6
Case No. ADJ8820335
Regular
Apr 17, 2017

RAHSHON LOYD vs. DOLAN CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, OLD REPUBLIC CONTRACTORS INSURANCE GROUP, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

This case concerns the calculation of applicant Rahshon Loyd's average weekly earnings (AWE) for temporary disability indemnity following a $100\%$ permanent and total industrial injury. The defendant argued the WCJ erred by calculating AWE based on a presumed 40-hour work week, instead of applicant's actual irregular earnings history. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that while applicant's earning capacity was relevant, his historical earnings as a union cement mason, even after attaining journeyman status, did not consistently reflect a 40-hour work week. Consequently, the Board amended the decision to calculate AWE as an average of his weekly wage over the three years prior to injury, resulting in a reduced temporary disability rate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAverage Weekly EarningsTemporary Disability IndemnityLabor Code Section 4453Earning CapacityUnion Cement MasonJourneymanPermanent and Total DisabilityVocational EvaluatorPetition for Reconsideration
References
4
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