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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

In re Relativity Fashion, LLC

This Memorandum Opinion addresses a motion for attorneys' fees and expenses filed by Relativity Media, LLC (and its affiliates RML Distribution Domestic, LLC, Armored Car Productions, LLC, and DR Productions, LLC, collectively 'Relativity') and Mr. Ryan Kavanaugh against Netflix, Inc. The dispute arose from Netflix's refusal to execute 'Date Extension Amendments' related to a License Agreement, prompting Relativity to seek relief under Section 1142 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Court previously ruled that Netflix was barred by res judicata and judicial estoppel from asserting its claimed contractual rights to distribute films before theatrical release. In this opinion, the Court determined that Relativity was the 'prevailing party' under California Civil Code Section 1717 and the License Agreement's fee provision. Consequently, Relativity is entitled to reimbursement for its own reasonable attorneys' fees and litigation expenses. However, the Court denied Mr. Kavanaugh's request for reimbursement of his counsel's fees and expenses, concluding that he was not a party to the License Agreement and did not meet the exceptions for non-signatories to recover fees. The Court awarded Relativity $818,547.48, comprising $795,732.50 in attorneys’ fees and $22,814.98 in litigation expenses, against Netflix.

Attorneys FeesLitigation ExpensesContract LawCalifornia Civil Code Section 1717Bankruptcy Code Section 1142Prevailing PartyLodestar MethodHourly RatesJudicial EstoppelRes Judicata
References
85
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re Golden Distributors, Ltd.

The debtor, Golden Distributors, Ltd., in a Chapter 11 case, moved to classify employee benefit claims, while several unions cross-moved for full administrative expense treatment. The court addressed the priority of sick leave, personal holidays, vacation, and severance pay for both union and non-union former employees. It concluded that most of these claims, including all severance pay and union vacation pay, qualify as administrative expenses or similar high-priority claims. However, all such employee claims were deemed subordinate to the super-priority secured liens held by the post-petition lenders.

BankruptcyChapter 11Administrative ExpensesEmployee BenefitsSeverance PayVacation PayCollective Bargaining AgreementSuper-priority LiensDebtor in PossessionUnions
References
17
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Terranova v. Lehr Construction Co.

In 2009, Claimant sustained a right knee injury at work, leading to workers' compensation benefits and a 10% schedule loss of use award. Concurrently, Claimant settled a third-party action for $173,500. A dispute arose concerning the carrier's credit and the apportionment of litigation expenses from the third-party settlement, specifically whether Burns v Varriale or Matter of Kelly v State Ins. Fund applied to a schedule loss of use award. The Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that Matter of Kelly controlled, denying Claimant ongoing payments for litigation expenses. The appellate court affirmed, clarifying that for schedule loss of use awards, future benefits are ascertainable, making Matter of Kelly applicable.

Schedule Loss of UseThird-Party SettlementWorkers’ Compensation BenefitsLitigation ExpensesCarrier CreditApportionment of Counsel FeesFuture BenefitsIndependent Medical ExaminationOrthopedist ReportCourt of Appeals Precedent
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

WTC Families for a Proper Burial, Inc. v. City of New York

Plaintiffs, led by WTC Families For a Proper Burial, Inc., brought a lawsuit against the City of New York to compel the reclamation of finely-sifted World Trade Center debris from the Fresh Kills landfill and to create a cemetery for the unidentified remains of 9/11 victims. They alleged violations of Constitutional rights to bury their deceased family members and breaches of New York State conservation and burial laws, arguing the debris-laden ground had become sacred. The City moved to dismiss, contending there were no identifiable remains to bury, and denied any constitutional or statutory violations. The District Court, presided over by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, granted the City's motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to state a legally sufficient claim under both federal and state law, primarily because a "quasi-property right" in remains does not extend to an undifferentiated mass of dirt where no identifiable traces of human remains could be linked to specific individuals, and the City's actions during the unprecedented 9/11 recovery were deemed reasonable and not indicative of malicious intent or egregious conduct.

9/11 VictimsWorld Trade CenterFresh Kills LandfillConstitutional RightsDue ProcessFirst AmendmentFree Exercise of ReligionRight to BurialUnidentifiable RemainsMotion to Dismiss
References
29
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 1985

Wolf v. Wolf

In two support proceedings, the petitioner mother appealed two orders. The first order, entered September 7, 1984, denied her petition for an upward modification of child support. The second order, entered May 3, 1985, denied her full reimbursement for certain child counseling expenses. The Family Court's decisions were affirmed on appeal. The court properly denied a general increase in the father's child support obligation and directed the mother to seek payment for counseling expenses through the father's medical insurance coverage.

child supportupward modificationcounseling expensesparental obligationsFamily Lawappellate reviewOrange County
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Wood v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.

Anthony N. Wood, severely injured while employed by the Town of Stillwater Highway Department, settled a third-party action against Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for $1.1 million. The workers' compensation carrier, Saratoga County Self-Insured Plan, had a lien of over $63,000 for compensation and medical payments. Wood moved to apportion legal fees and expenses against the carrier's lien, arguing that the carrier's equitable share should consider the present value of estimated future benefits it would no longer have to pay, citing *Matter of Kelly v State Ins. Fund*. The Saratoga County Self-Insured Plan opposed, disputing the calculation of future benefits and arguing for consideration of potential future death benefits. The court, guided by *Kelly*, found the respondent's arguments lacked merit and applied a formula that included the lien amount plus the discounted value of future payments saved by the carrier. The court determined an equitable apportionment of $114,112.67, concluding that the offset exceeded the carrier's lien due to the substantial benefits the carrier received from the extinguishment of future obligations.

ApportionmentLegal FeesThird-Party ActionLien OffsetFuture Benefits CalculationEquitable ApportionmentSettlement ProceedsEconomist Expert WitnessPermanent DisabilityCarrier Liability
References
10
Case No. ADJ7112948
Regular
Mar 30, 2017

LYLE BYNUM vs. VALLEJO TRANSIT, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE, BROADSPIRE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a prior award. The Board issued a Notice of Intention to Impose Sanctions against the defendant's attorney and insurance company for alleged bad faith actions. These actions included filing a petition for reconsideration with inaccurate and unsupported references to evidence, misrepresenting medical opinions, and asserting meritless contentions. The WCAB is considering sanctions of up to $2,000 and reasonable expenses due to these alleged violations of labor code and board rules.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationSanctionsLabor Code § 5813Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 10561Findings and AwardWCJBus DriverBack InjuryLeft Lower Extremity Injury
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 29, 2010

In re Marsh Erisa Litigation

Named Plaintiffs Donald Hundley, Conrad Simon, and Leticia Hernandez brought a class action lawsuit against Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) alleging breaches of fiduciary duties under ERISA related to imprudent investments in MMC stock within the company's 401(k) plan. The litigation, complex in scope and involving extensive discovery, ultimately led to a $35 million class action settlement after arm's-length negotiations facilitated by a mediator. The Court approved the settlement, certified the class for settlement purposes, and sanctioned the plan of allocation. Additionally, the decision granted substantial attorneys' fees and expenses to lead counsel, alongside case contribution awards for the named plaintiffs, while rejecting the two objections received. This ruling concludes a significant ERISA litigation, emphasizing the protection of retirement savings for American workers.

ERISAClass ActionSettlement ApprovalFiduciary Duty401(k) PlanStock InvestmentAttorneys FeesLitigation ExpensesClass CertificationPlan of Allocation
References
78
Case No. ADJ21 56157 (VNO 0518450)
Regular
Apr 11, 2016

RYAN LEE (Deceased), CYNTHIA VALENZUELA (widow) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONSATF, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the WCJ's findings regarding the deceased correctional officer's "special mission" status and the dependents. The Board confirmed the WCJ's finding that the death was industrial under Government Code section 21537 for CALPERS benefits, which the widow irrevocably elected. All other workers' compensation death benefit claims for the minor children, burial expenses, and attorney fees were properly bifurcated for future proceedings. The case was returned to the trial level for further development on these bifurcated issues.

CALPERSspecial death benefitgoing and coming rulespecial mission exceptionindustrial causationAgreed Medical ExaminerdependencybifurcationLantz v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Government Code section 21537
References
1
Case No. ADJ7731222
Regular
Apr 29, 2014

J. MICHAEL DEVROOM (Deceased), PAMELA FELCHER (Widow) vs. DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's decision except for specific amendments. The applicant's widow, Pamela Felcher, was awarded a $250,000 death benefit for her deceased husband, J. Michael Devroom, with payments commencing June 23, 2010. This award is subject to credit for CALPERS payments and attorney fees, and the deceased was found to be a safety-classified employee exempting him from certain statutory limitations. Additionally, Ms. Felcher is entitled to $2,109.02 for burial expenses, and attorney fees of $37,500 are awarded.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPamela FelcherJ. Michael DevroomDepartment of Consumer AffairsState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationDeath BenefitCALPERS CreditLabor Code Section 4707(b)
References
0
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