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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ1620559 (ANA 0373462)
Regular
Apr 26, 2011

Wayne Johnson vs. Tennant Company, Sentry Claims Service

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is ordering applicant's counsel, defense counsel, and the Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) to provide sworn declarations regarding an alleged ex parte communication. This communication apparently led the WCJ to vacate a prior submission order, citing the applicant's upcoming surgery and a utilization review denial resolution. The defendant seeks removal, claiming the WCJ improperly obtained this information. The WCAB is also ordering all future correspondence be directed to the Commissioners.

Petition for RemovalOrder Vacating SubmissionDecision after ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjurySpineRight Lower ExtremityPsycheTemporary DisabilityPermanent Disability
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Director of the Assigned Counsel Plan v. Townsend

This case involves an appeal by the Director of the Assigned Counsel Plan from orders of the Supreme Court, New York County. The Director's applications sought to reduce vouchers for compensation for services other than counsel in multiple criminal cases. The Supreme Court denied these applications and, upon reconsideration, adhered to its decisions directing the processing of the vouchers. The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed these orders, finding no basis to disturb the lower court's determinations of "reasonable compensation" and "extraordinary circumstances" under County Law § 722-c. The court further ruled that such determinations are not reviewable by the Appellate Division, emphasizing that fiscal concerns regarding compensation should be addressed through administrative review processes.

Assigned Counsel PlanVoucher CompensationCriminal Defense ServicesAttorney CompensationSocial Worker CompensationCounty Law 722-cExtraordinary CircumstancesAppellate ReviewJudicial DiscretionAdministrative Review
References
4
Case No. ADJ10731404
Regular
Oct 09, 2018

PRESTON LEE BROWN SCOTT vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, OPSEC; THE HARTFORD

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is issuing a notice of intention to declare applicant Preston Lee Brown Scott a vexatious litigant. This action is prompted by Mr. Scott's repeated filing of unmeritorious and repetitive claims and petitions, despite being informed of procedural rules and settlement agreements. If declared a vexatious litigant, Mr. Scott will be subject to a pre-filing order requiring him to obtain permission before filing any new documents or applications with the WCAB. This measure aims to prevent further abuse of the judicial process and conserve WCAB resources.

Vexatious litigantAppeals BoardPre-filing orderPropria personaReconsiderationLabor CodeCarve-out agreementADRCompromise and ReleaseSection 132a
References
20
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Young

An attorney representing an indigent defendant in Monroe County filed an application seeking reimbursement for legal services at a rate of $200 per hour, mirroring the rate charged by the Special Prosecutor, rather than the statutory rates under County Law § 722-b. The attorney argued that the significant disparity in hourly compensation violated the defendant's right to equal protection and that his qualifications justified the requested rate. The New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers supported the application as amicus curiae, while Monroe County opposed it, arguing the request was untimely and lacked extraordinary circumstances. Presiding Judge Donald J. Mark, J., acknowledged the court's authority to grant compensation in excess of statutory limits under extraordinary circumstances but ultimately denied the application. The denial was based on the court's reasoning that an analogous argument was previously rejected, that linking assigned counsel rates to prosecutor rates would render County Law § 722-b ineffective, and that extraordinary circumstances could not be demonstrated prior to the conclusion of the criminal action. The court, however, reserved the right to reconsider an increased hourly fee upon the case's termination if such circumstances are then proven.

Assigned CounselLegal Aid CompensationCounty Law Section 722-bHourly Rate DisputeSpecial Prosecutor FeesIndigent RightsJudicial DiscretionExtraordinary CircumstancesMonroe County LawEqual Protection Challenge
References
16
Case No. ADJ1156738 (LBO 0373502) ADJ1979304 (LBO 0373506) ADJ416659 (LBO 0373503) ADJ432623 (LBO 0373504) ADJ903273 (LBO 0373505)
Regular
Feb 24, 2017

Bobye Amadio vs. Inglewood Unified School District

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration for both the applicant and the defendant. The Board amended the original award to defer the issue of temporary total disability indemnity and to hold attorney fees in trust pending a final determination of the fee split among applicant's counsel. Otherwise, the original findings and award were affirmed, with the Board finding substantial evidence in the opinions of Dr. Greenspan and Dr. Silbart regarding the applicant's inability to return to her previous employment. The Board also admonished applicant's counsel for the inflammatory and disrespectful language used in the petition.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardBobye AmadioInglewood Unified School Districtvocal cordscervical spinelumbar spinethoracic spineright knee
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Fernandez v. Royal Coach Lines, Inc.

Claimant's counsel appealed a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board that reduced their previously awarded counsel fees from $2,800 to $450. The Board found the counsel's fee application, form OC-400.1, deficient as it failed to provide specific dates and time spent for each service, as mandated by 12 NYCRR 300.17 (d) and Board bulletin Subject Number 046-548. Additionally, counsel failed to disclose a prior $900 fee award. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, holding that the Board did not abuse its discretion in reducing the fees due to the non-compliant application. The court also clarified that prior holdings suggesting no requirement for time spent on services, such as in *Matter of Pavone*, should no longer be followed.

Counsel Fee ReductionWorkers' Compensation Board AppealFee Application Deficiencies12 NYCRR 300.17Appellate DivisionAdministrative DiscretionPermanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning CapacityPrior Fee DisclosureMatter of Pavone Overruled
References
3
Case No. ADJ7106767
Regular
Dec 16, 2013

JORGE IBARRA vs. BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL, FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Applicant Ibarra's Petition for Removal regarding the order to take the case off calendar. The Board found Applicant failed to show significant prejudice from delaying trial to clarify if the primary treating physician possessed specific treadmill test results. Furthermore, the Board noted Applicant filed declarations of readiness to proceed while discovery, specifically a vocational expert report, remained incomplete, indicating the case was not trial-ready. The matter was returned to the WCJ to consider sanctions against Applicant's counsel for prematurely filing declarations of readiness.

Petition for RemovalOff CalendarMandatory Settlement ConferenceIndustrial InjuryCumulative PeriodPrimary Treating PhysicianVocational Expert ReportUncompleted DiscoveryQualified Medical EvaluatorSanctions Proceedings
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Marshall v. Savannah Sausage Corp.

This appeal concerns a decision by the Workers' Compensation Board disallowing a claimant's application for death benefits as untimely and denying counsel fees. James Marshall, a marketing consultant, sustained serious injuries in a 1977 motor vehicle accident and later died in 1981. His widow, the claimant, filed a death claim in 1984, which was deemed untimely by the Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) and subsequently affirmed by the Board, as it was not filed within two years of Marshall's death. Additionally, the Board denied counsel fees, ruling that compensation benefits would not exceed the third-party settlement Marshall received, thus rendering further legal efforts futile. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence to support the untimely filing of the death claim and concurring that no counsel fees lien was applicable.

Death BenefitsTimeliness of ClaimCounsel FeesThird-Party SettlementWorkers' Compensation LawInsurance CarrierDisability ClaimAppealLienWorkers' Compensation Board
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 30, 2015

Matter of Curcio v. Sherwood 370 Management LLC

The claimant, a building engineer, sustained a work-related back and neck injury, initially classified as a permanent total disability by a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) with awarded counsel fees. The Workers' Compensation Board (Board) modified this, finding a permanent partial disability with a 90% loss of wage-earning capacity and reduced counsel fees due to an improperly completed application. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, citing substantial medical evidence supporting a partial disability and a 90% loss of wage-earning capacity based on the claimant's age, education, work history, and functional abilities. The court also upheld the reduction of counsel fees due to the attorney's failure to accurately complete the required fee application form.

Permanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning Capacity LossWorkers' Compensation BenefitsCounsel FeesMedical EvidenceVocational FactorsOC-400.1 ApplicationAdministrative AppealAppellate DivisionMedical Impairment Guidelines
References
12
Case No. FRE 0212901
Regular
Jul 23, 2008

JANETTA SCONIERS vs. COLEMAN & HOROWITT, LLP, AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, BROADSPIRE

The applicant, Janetta Sconiers, has been declared a vexatious litigant and ordered to pay a $1,000 sanction. This decision stems from her repeated filing of frivolous and duplicative petitions to disqualify the judge and set aside prior orders, despite previous admonitions and sanctions. Consequently, her future filings will require approval from the presiding Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge.

Vexatious LitigantPropria PersonaWCJ DisqualificationFrivolous PleadingsBad Faith ConductSanctionsDuplicative FilingsAffirmative ReliefWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code Section 5813
References
3
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