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

Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 01874
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2022

Matter of Cherrington v. New York City Tr. Auth.

The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed an order that denied a petition to vacate an arbitration award, which had upheld a 25-day suspension for petitioner Norris Cherrington. The court found the arbitrator's decision was not irrational, as it was justified by Cherrington's violation of a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. Petitioners' argument regarding the lack of explanation for a retreat path was deemed beyond judicial scrutiny. Furthermore, the award did not violate public policy, as disciplining an employee for workplace violence is permissible, and no explicit conflict with anti-discrimination laws was found, given the absence of disparate treatment claims for non-Black employees. The arbitrator had also declined the respondent's request to dismiss Cherrington.

Arbitration AwardWorkplace ViolenceEmployee DisciplinePublic PolicyJudicial ScrutinyAppellate ReviewSuspensionZero-Tolerance PolicyDiscrimination ClaimNew York City Transit Authority
References
4
Case No. M2019-01860-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 05, 2020

Jeffrey Clay Davis v. Vanderbilt University Medical Center

A medical center employee sued for retaliatory discharge under the Tennessee Public Protection Act, alleging termination for refusing to remain silent about the medical center's failure to implement workplace violence policies in compliance with OSHA guidelines. The trial court initially granted the medical center's motion to dismiss, asserting that OSHA guidelines were non-mandatory and did not constitute 'illegal activity.' However, the Court of Appeals reversed this dismissal. The appellate court found that the employee's complaint sufficiently alleged a violation of OSHA's general duty clause, which applies even in the absence of specific regulations, and implicated important public policy concerns regarding workplace safety. Consequently, the case was remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

WhistleblowerRetaliatory DischargeWorkplace ViolenceOSHA General Duty ClausePublic PolicyEmployment LawOccupational Safety and Health ActTennessee Public Protection ActEmployer LiabilityWorker Safety
References
30
Case No. 2014-06-0069
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 02, 2015

Johnson, Eden v. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc.

Employee Eden Johnson, a door greeter, sustained injuries when a customer assaulted her after Johnson attempted to prevent the customer from using a motorized shopping cart. Wal-Mart denied the claim, asserting Johnson violated its violence-free workplace policy and subsequently terminated her. The trial court partially granted Johnson's request for medical and temporary disability benefits, rejecting Wal-Mart's willful misconduct defense and denying its motion to dismiss for procedural reasons. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the trial court's decision, concluding that the injury arose out of and in the course and scope of employment and that Johnson did not violate the employer's policy. The case was remanded for further necessary proceedings.

Workers' Compensation AppealsWillful Misconduct DefenseViolence-Free Workplace PolicyCourse and Scope of EmploymentAssault in WorkplaceExpedited HearingTemporary Disability BenefitsMedical BenefitsDoor Greeter InjuryMotorized Shopping Cart Incident
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Moodie v. Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Vincent Moodie, a Black male, sued the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for racial discrimination under Title VII after his termination due to an altercation with a white co-worker. Moodie claimed his dismissal was racially motivated and that the bank's stated reason—that he was the aggressor in a workplace fight—was a pretext. The incident involved Moodie confronting his co-worker, Tony Riolo, over a derogatory remark, which escalated into a physical engagement. The court, presided over by Judge Lasker, found that Moodie failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the bank's internal investigation or dismissal decision was tainted by racial prejudice. The complaint was therefore dismissed, as the bank provided credible non-discriminatory explanations for its actions and demonstrated a consistent policy regarding workplace violence.

Race DiscriminationTitle VIIWorkplace ViolenceWrongful TerminationEmployer PolicyPretextDisparate TreatmentInternal InvestigationFederal Reserve BankAggressor
References
5
Case No. E2024-01171-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 20, 2025

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF TENNEVA AREA, INC. v. MICHAEL HUTTON

This case concerns an appeal from the Chancery Court for Sullivan County, where Goodwill Industries of Tenneva Area, Inc., and its CEO, Morris Baker (Appellees), obtained an injunction and temporary restraining order against former employee Michael Hutton (Appellant) under the Tennessee Violence in the Workplace Act (TVWA). The appellees alleged Hutton engaged in unlawful violence, specifically stalking, through persistent Facebook posts after his termination and a ban from Goodwill premises. The Trial Court granted the injunction, found Hutton in contempt for violating the temporary restraining order, and awarded attorney's fees. On appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed the Trial Court's judgment, finding that the majority of Hutton's Facebook posts could not reasonably be construed as 'at the workplace' as required by the TVWA. The Court concluded that only one instance of harassment occurred at the workplace, which was insufficient to establish the 'pattern of conduct' necessary for stalking under the statute. Consequently, the findings of contempt and the awards of attorney's fees were also reversed.

Workplace Violence ActInjunctionStalkingSocial Media HarassmentContempt of CourtAttorney's FeesAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationFirst AmendmentEmotional Distress
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 27, 2007

National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh v. St. Barnabas Community Enterprises, Inc.

This case concerns the arbitrability of disputes between an unnamed petitioner and its insured, St. Barnabas, over retrospective premiums and credits from workers' compensation policies covering 1995-1998 and 2000-2001. The Supreme Court's order, which compelled arbitration and denied St. Barnabas's cross-motion to dismiss, was modified. The appellate court affirmed arbitration for the 1995-1998 policies due to explicit arbitration clauses. However, arbitration for the 2000-2001 policies was stayed as they lacked such clauses and provided for litigation. Claims of fraudulent inducement related to the earlier policies were referred to arbitrators, as they did not specifically challenge the arbitration agreement itself.

ArbitrationWorkers' Compensation PoliciesRetrospective PremiumsInsurance DisputesPolicy InterpretationFraudulent InducementContract LawNew York CourtsAppellate DecisionJurisdiction
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Catania v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co.

This case involves a submitted controversy under sections 546 to 548 of the Civil Practice Act, concerning whether a liability policy issued to John Schiro extends coverage to the plaintiff for injuries sustained by Schiro's wife. Schiro's wife alleged negligence against her spouse in the operation of his vehicle during his employment with the plaintiff. The court analyzed Insurance Law section 167 (subd. 3), which states that policies do not cover liability for spousal injuries unless expressly provided. Citing Morgan v. Greater New York Taxpayers Mut. Ins. Assn., the court treated the policy as if issued to the plaintiff alone, determining that Schiro's wife is not the plaintiff's spouse, thus making section 167 (subd. 3) inapplicable. The decision, supported by Manhattan Cas. Co. v. Cholakis, concluded that the insurer is liable. Therefore, judgment was granted in favor of the plaintiff, requiring the defendant to defend the pending negligence action and pay any judgment up to the policy limits.

Liability PolicyInsurance CoverageSpousal LiabilityCivil Practice ActInsurance LawNegligenceDeclaratory JudgmentAutomobile AccidentEmployer LiabilityInterspousal Immunity
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Trojcak v. Valiant Millwrighting & Warehousing, Inc.

This case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision concerning the proper cancellation of an employer's workers' compensation policy. A claimant was injured in September 1995, leading to a dispute when the carrier claimed the policy was canceled in June 1995 due to nonpayment. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge ruled the policy was improperly canceled, citing Banking Law § 576 and estoppel. However, the Workers' Compensation Board reversed this, finding the cancellation adhered to Banking Law § 576's notice requirements. This appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, concluding that the statutory notice provisions were met and that the finance agency and carrier were not estopped from canceling the policy despite prior acceptance of late payments.

Workers' Compensation Policy CancellationBanking Law § 576Estoppel DoctrineNotice RequirementsLate PaymentsInsurance Coverage DisputePolicy DefaultAppellate ReviewStatutory CompliancePremium Finance Agreement
References
7
Case No. 02 Civ. 7659(SAS)
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 12, 2004

TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA, LOCAL 100 v. NYC Transit Auth.

This case involves a dispute between several labor unions and the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and its subsidiary regarding the legality of NYCTA's sick leave policy under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The unions challenged the policy's medical inquiry requirements, arguing they violated ADA provisions against inquiries that may reveal a disability. The NYCTA justified its policy by citing the need to curb sick leave abuse and ensure workplace and public safety. The court applied the framework established in Conroy v. New York State Department of Correctional Services. It found that curbing sick leave abuse was a legitimate business necessity but only justified the policy for employees on a narrowly-defined "sick leave control list." The court also determined that ensuring safety was a vital business necessity, justifying the policy for safety-sensitive employees, specifically bus operators, but required further factual development for other employee groups. Ultimately, the court issued a declaratory judgment, clarifying the permissible scope of the policy's medical inquiries and rejecting the Authority's defenses of unclean hands and laches.

ADA ComplianceSick Leave PolicyMedical InquiryEmployment DiscriminationBusiness Necessity DefenseWorkplace SafetyPublic SafetyLabor Union LitigationCollective BargainingBus Operator
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

City of New York v. Commissioner of Labor

Petitioners, the City of New York and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), along with three juvenile detention centers, initiated a proceeding to annul a 2010 decision by the State Industrial Board of Appeals. This decision upheld 2007 notices of violations (NOVs) issued against the centers for exposing employees to workplace violence, citing Labor Law § 27-a (3), the General Duty Clause. Petitioners argued the NOVs should have cited the more specific Workplace Violence Prevention Act (WVPA), Labor Law § 27-b. Respondents, District Council 37, the Commissioner of Labor, and the Board, contended that the WVPA could not be cited as its implementing regulations were not yet promulgated. The court, finding the Board's decision rational and consistent with statutory and regulatory schemes regarding "specific standards" under PESHA, denied the petition and dismissed the CPLR article 78 proceeding.

Workplace SafetyGeneral Duty ClauseWorkplace Violence Prevention ActPublic Employee Safety and Health ActAdministrative ReviewStatutory InterpretationPromulgation of RegulationsJuvenile Detention CentersNotice of ViolationRisk Evaluation
References
8
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