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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

Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Ass'n of the United States, Inc. v. State

This appeal addresses the constitutional challenges brought by trade associations representing automobile manufacturers against New York's New Car Lemon Law alternative arbitration mechanism and its implementing regulations. Plaintiffs argued that General Business Law § 198-a (k) unconstitutionally deprived manufacturers of their right to a jury trial, access to Supreme Court, and constituted an improper delegation of judicial authority. The court ruled that the Lemon Law's remedies, particularly vehicle replacement, are equitable, thus preserving the right to a jury trial. It also upheld the arbitration mechanism as a reasonable alternative for dispute resolution, affirming its constitutionality regarding court access and delegation of authority. However, the court found one implementing regulation, 13 NYCRR 300.17 (c), invalid as it contravened the statute by precluding evidence of further repairs, effectively creating an irrebuttable presumption of liability.

Constitutional LawArbitrationLemon LawConsumer ProtectionGeneral Business LawRight to Jury TrialEquitable RemediesAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewStatutory Interpretation
References
21
Case No. 2015-2418 K C
Regular Panel Decision
May 25, 2018

Remedial Med. Care, P.C. v. Park Ins. Co.

This case involves an appeal from an order of the Civil Court concerning first-party no-fault benefits. The defendant, Park Insurance Co., sought summary judgment to dismiss the complaint filed by Remedial Medical Care, P.C., as assignee of Thomas Brown. The Civil Court initially denied the motion but found that the defendant had established timely mailing of denials. The Appellate Term modified the order, granting summary judgment to the defendant for a bill of services rendered on August 23, 2012, as it was paid according to the workers' compensation fee schedule. However, for the remaining bills, the defendant failed to prove timely mailing of IME scheduling letters, thus failing to demonstrate that the IMEs were properly scheduled or that the assignor failed to appear. Therefore, the denial of summary judgment for the remaining claims was affirmed.

Summary JudgmentNo-Fault BenefitsIndependent Medical Examination (IME)Timely MailingWorkers' Compensation Fee ScheduleAppellate TermCivil CourtDenial of ClaimFirst-Party BenefitsInsurance Law
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Witko v. State of New York

Claimants Richard and Sally Witko appealed the denial of their application to file a late notice of claim against the State of New York and the denial of their motion for reconsideration. Richard Witko was injured in a bicycle accident involving dogs, one of which belonged to a State Police Trooper. The Court of Claims initially denied the application due to weak factual allegations, lack of excuse for delay, insufficient notice to the State, and the availability of an alternative remedy. The motion for reconsideration, which included new deposition details, was also denied as it did not bolster the claim's merit. The appellate court affirmed, finding no abuse of discretion given the lack of excuse, insufficient notice, the alternative remedy, and the claim's lack of apparent merit, especially after evidence suggested the State's dog was not involved in the actual collision.

Late Notice of ClaimCourt of Claims ActPersonal InjuryBicycle AccidentDog AttackState PoliceSovereign ImmunityNotice to StateAppearance of MeritMotion for Reconsideration
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Ramos v. New York City Police Department

A plaintiff, medically disqualified from a police officer position due to scoliosis and a heart murmur by the New York City Department of Personnel, brought an action under the Human Rights Law alleging discrimination based on disability. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing that the plaintiff's sole remedy was a CPLR article 78 proceeding under the Civil Service Law and that the Human Rights Law does not apply to civil service commissions. The court, disagreeing with prior appellate rulings but relying on a Court of Appeals decision, held that the Human Rights Law applies to public employers and provides an alternative remedy to article 78 proceedings. The court also clarified that an administrative appeal within the Civil Service Commission does not constitute an election of remedies that would bar a subsequent Human Rights Law action. Consequently, the defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint was denied.

Disability DiscriminationScoliosisHeart MurmurCivil Service LawHuman Rights LawCPLR Article 78Medical DisqualificationPolice Officer AppointmentPublic Employer LiabilityStatute of Limitations
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Guerrero Toro v. Northstar Demolition

Plaintiff Alexander Guerrero Toro, a pro se asbestos handler, sued NorthStar Demolition & Remediation LP under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), alleging failure to accommodate his carpal tunnel syndrome, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, and retaliation. After experiencing pain in his right arm, Plaintiff was placed on restricted duty, limiting his ability to perform essential job functions. Defendant provided various temporary light-duty assignments, but eventually, no suitable tasks remained due to seasonal changes and Plaintiff's ongoing limitations. Plaintiff also claimed harassment from co-workers and supervisors, and retaliation for filing administrative complaints. The court granted Defendant's motion for summary judgment, dismissing all claims, concluding that Plaintiff failed to demonstrate he could perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, or that a hostile work environment or retaliation existed based on admissible evidence. The NYSHRL claims were also dismissed, with some being jurisdictionally barred due to the election of remedies.

Americans with Disabilities ActDisability DiscriminationCarpal Tunnel SyndromeReasonable AccommodationHostile Work EnvironmentRetaliationSummary JudgmentPro Se LitigationEmployment LawNew York State Human Rights Law
References
122
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 23, 1981

Malone v. Jacobs

This case involves an appeal by defendants Stephen and John Jacobs from a Supreme Court order denying their motion to dismiss the complaint filed by Daniel and Linda Malone. The Malones sought damages for personal injuries Daniel sustained in an automobile accident with Stephen Jacobs, with both men being volunteer firemen responding to an alarm. The appellate court determined that both were acting in the line of duty, making the Volunteer Firemen’s Benefit Law their exclusive remedy. Consequently, the order was reversed, granting defendants leave to amend their answer to assert this exclusive remedy defense, and summary judgment was granted, leading to the dismissal of the Malones' complaint. The court also affirmed that John Jacobs, as the vehicle owner, could rely on the same defense due to vicarious liability.

Volunteer Firemen's Benefit LawExclusive RemedySummary JudgmentAffirmative DefenseAutomobile AccidentPersonal InjuryLoss of ConsortiumLine of DutyVicarious LiabilityMotion to Dismiss
References
6
Case No. ADJ4415679 (OAK 0259031) ADJ2701101 (WCK0050594)
Regular
May 10, 2010

Stanley Sanders vs. REMEDY INTELLIGENT STAFFING, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for RELIANCE NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, OREGON STEEL MILLS, INC. dba NAPA PIPE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a judge's decision, ruling that Napa Pipe, a self-insured special employer, is liable for applicant Stanley Sanders' workers' compensation benefits. Despite an agreement between the general employer (Remedy Temp) and Napa Pipe attempting to limit liability to Remedy Temp's insurer (Reliance), Napa Pipe's joint and several liability as a special employer cannot be contractually eliminated. Because Napa Pipe's self-insurance was not excluded for special employees and constitutes "other insurance" under Insurance Code § 1063.1(c)(9), CIGA is relieved of its obligation to provide benefits following Reliance's insolvency. Therefore, Napa Pipe must now provide all workers' compensation benefits and administer the claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardStanley SandersRemedy Intelligent StaffingCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationReliance National Insurance CompanyOregon Steel MillsNapa PipeADJ4415679ADJ2701101Opinion and Decision After Reconsideration
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hardie v. New York State Attica Correctional Facility

The claimant's deceased husband was killed during the Attica Correctional Facility uprising in September 1971. She filed for workers' compensation death benefits but later ceased accepting them to pursue a civil damage claim against the State of New York for intentional assault. Her civil action was dismissed because accepting workers' compensation benefits forfeited her right to an alternative civil remedy. The Workers’ Compensation Board subsequently found that she was not misled into accepting benefits and ruled that her claim could not be withdrawn. This appeal affirmed the Board's decision, stating that an employer's intentional tort does not divest the Board of jurisdiction and that compensation benefits preclude alternative civil recovery, even if accepted unwittingly.

Workers' CompensationDeath BenefitsAttica Correctional FacilityPrison UprisingIntentional TortElection of RemediesWithdrawal of ClaimCollateral EstoppelMisled by StateAccidental Death
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Houston v. Teamsters Local 210

Pro se plaintiffs, including Houston, filed a lawsuit against an ERISA-regulated fund seeking severance pay. They argued they were entitled to benefits because their termination occurred 'within one year of' their employer ceasing operations, interpreting the phrase to include the period before cessation. The defendants contended this phrase referred only to the period after cessation and also argued that all plaintiffs, except Houston, failed to exhaust administrative remedies. The court granted summary judgment to the defendants, ruling that the non-Houston plaintiffs failed to exhaust remedies. For Houston's claim, the court found the plan language unambiguously supported the defendants' prospective interpretation of the 'within one year of' clause. Alternatively, even if ambiguous, the plan granted the defendants discretionary authority, and their consistent interpretation was deemed rational and not arbitrary or capricious.

ERISA BenefitsSeverance Pay DisputePlan InterpretationSummary Plan Description (SPD)Administrative ExhaustionArbitrary and Capricious StandardDiscretionary AuthorityEmployer CessationPro Se LitigantsMotion for Summary Judgment
References
32
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Alternative Electrodes, LLC v. Empi, Inc.

Plaintiff Alternative Electrodes, LLC (AEL) sued Empi, Inc. and Encore Medical, L.P. for violations of the Lanham Act, Sherman Act, and various New York state laws, including illegal monopoly, false advertising, and tortious interference. Defendants moved to dismiss all claims except the Lanham Act claim. The court denied dismissal for AEL's Sherman Act, Donnelly Act, and breach of contract claims, finding sufficient allegations of antitrust injury, market definition, and breach of a settlement agreement. However, the state law claims for business disparagement/injurious falsehood and tortious interference were dismissed without prejudice, as AEL failed to adequately plead special damages and 'but for' causation, respectively. The civil conspiracy claim, alleged as an independent tort, was also dismissed.

Antitrust LawSherman ActLanham ActBusiness DisparagementTortious InterferenceCivil ConspiracyBreach of ContractMotion to DismissRule 12(b)(6)Monopoly Power
References
66
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