Citrin v. Merkle
The claimant, rendered quadriplegic by a 1972 work accident, was classified as permanently totally disabled. A 1988 Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) decision authorized reimbursement for home-care services, but the carrier subsequently withheld payments, citing a dispute over the claimant's receipt of services. A 1997 WCLJ decision rejected the fraud claim and directed payment of outstanding home-care expenses, which the Workers’ Compensation Board upheld in 1998. The Board then granted the claimant's request for interest and penalties, but determined interest should accrue from December 21, 1998, the date of the Board's direction for payment, rather than September 20, 1988, the initial authorization date. The claimant appealed this calculation, but the court affirmed the Board’s decision, stating that interest under Workers’ Compensation Law § 20 (1) requires an actual 'award' rather than a mere 'authorization' for services.