CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. 531672
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 04, 2021

Matter of Maldonado v. Doria, Inc.

Claimant Cesar Maldonado sustained a left ankle injury at work, which subsequently led to a causally-related pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Following further proceedings, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) and the Workers' Compensation Board amended the claim to include major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and cardiac arrest. The employer and its carrier appealed the inclusion of cardiac arrest, arguing a narrow definition. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial medical evidence, including testimony from pulmonologists Nathan Rothman and Ali Eray Guy, supported the causal relationship between the cardiac arrest and the initial injury, rejecting the carrier's definitional arguments.

Ankle InjuryPulmonary EmbolismDeep Vein ThrombosisCardiac ArrestCausationMedical EvidenceAppellate ReviewExpert TestimonySyncopal EpisodesOccupational Injury
References
8
Case No. ADJ4142754 (AHM 0142785) ADJ6726440
Regular
Sep 05, 2013

Joshua Hubbard vs. United Parcel Service, Liberty Mutual Insurance

This case concerns Joshua Hubbard's workers' compensation claims for a cardiac arrest and alleged cumulative trauma. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the decision to deny Hubbard's claims. The WCJ's report, adopted by the Board, found no medical evidence supported either a cumulative trauma injury or that the specific cardiac arrest arose out of employment. The medical opinions cited by the applicant were found insufficient to establish causation, lacking definitive information regarding work hours and applicable medical theories.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedCardiac ArrestCourse of EmploymentArising Out Of EmploymentCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryMedical EvidenceDr. Dimmick
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

DiGiulio v. Gran, Inc.

Mr. DiGiulio suffered a cardiac arrest at a New York Health and Racquet Club in 2006 while on a treadmill, leading to his death. Club employees, including an assistant manager trained in defibrillator use, failed to use an available defibrillator, believing it was locked. The plaintiff argued the club was negligent under common law and violated General Business Law § 627-a (1) by failing to make the defibrillator accessible. The court ruled that Mr. DiGiulio assumed the risk of cardiac arrest by exercising. Furthermore, the court found the club complied with the General Business Law because the defibrillator was accessible, and the employee's poor judgment did not extend liability to the club. Therefore, the defendants' motion for summary judgment was granted, and the complaint was dismissed.

NegligenceHealth Club LiabilityAssumption of RiskDefibrillator AccessCardiac ArrestSummary JudgmentGeneral Business LawEmployee NegligencePremises LiabilityDuty of Care
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Sheerer v. City of Tonawanda

A claimant's husband, a laborer and driver, died of cardiac arrest, leading to a workers’ compensation claim established by the Board. The self-insured employer sought reimbursement from the Special Disability Fund, arguing that the decedent's preexisting arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease hindered his employability. The Board denied this application, finding insufficient evidence that the condition hindered or was likely to hinder his employment potential. The employer appealed this decision. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, noting the lack of evidence that the decedent's undiagnosed condition affected his work or recreational activities. The court also highlighted that medical opinions stated most cardiac arrest sufferers are at rest or engaged in minimal activity. Ultimately, the court concluded that substantial evidence supported the Board's finding that the condition was not a hindrance to employment.

Workers' CompensationSpecial Disability FundReimbursement ClaimPreexisting ConditionEmployabilityCardiac ArrestArteriosclerotic Cardiovascular DiseaseStatutory InterpretationAppellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Morris v. United Parcel Service

Plaintiff, a former United Parcel Service employee and union member, was discharged for alleged theft after being accused of stealing a package of watches. Although he was arrested, he was later acquitted of petit larceny. An arbitrator subsequently found his discharge was not for just cause and ordered his reinstatement with back pay and benefits. Following this, the plaintiff commenced an action against United Parcel Service for false imprisonment/unlawful arrest. Defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing preemption by the Labor Management Relations Act and the National Labor Relations Act, and sought to add affirmative defenses. Special Term denied summary judgment but granted leave to amend the answer. The appellate court affirmed the denial of summary judgment, concluding the tort claim was not preempted, but found that Special Term erred in refusing to dismiss the defendants' affirmative defenses regarding federal preemption and the exclusivity of Workers' Compensation Law § 11.

False ImprisonmentUnlawful ArrestLabor Management Relations Act PreemptionNational Labor Relations Act PreemptionCollective Bargaining AgreementWorkers' Compensation LawExclusive Remedy ProvisionSummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewTort Claim
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Schwartz v. State Insurance Fund

Claimant appealed two Workers' Compensation Board decisions. The first decision, filed April 25, 2012, ruled that her alleged cardiac conditions were not causally related to her established work-related stress claim. The second decision, filed May 2, 2012, denied her payment for intermittent lost time. The court affirmed both decisions, finding that the employer's independent medical examiner complied with Workers' Compensation Law § 137, and the Board's resolution of conflicting medical opinions regarding cardiac conditions was supported by substantial evidence. Additionally, the Board's determination that the claimant's Friday absences were for convenience, not disability, was also upheld by substantial evidence.

Workers' Compensation Board AppealsCausally Related DisabilityCardiac ConditionsHypertensionMitral Valve InsufficiencyTricuspid Valve InsufficiencyEnlarged Left AtriumWork-Related StressAdjustment DisorderIntermittent Lost Time Benefits
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Wallace v. Nestles Chocolate Co.

The claimant appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision denying death benefits for her decedent, a forklift operator who died post-surgery for a work-related hand injury. The decedent experienced respiratory and cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction, exacerbated by pre-existing conditions and inadequate postoperative care. The Board concluded the death was not causally related to the compensable injury. The appellate court affirmed the decision, finding that while the surgery provided the occasion for inadequate treatment, it did not directly cause the death, which stemmed from the progression of his underlying cardiac condition.

Workers' CompensationMyocardial InfarctionPostoperative ComplicationsCausationPreexisting ConditionInadequate Medical CareAppellate ReviewBoard DecisionDeath BenefitsHand Injury
References
3
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 06121
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 10, 2017

Matter of Lavigne v. Hannaford Bros. Co.

The claimant's wife, a grocery store employee, died at work from cardiac arrest. The Workers' Compensation Board granted death benefits, finding a causal relationship between her death and employment, attributing it to work-related stress. The employer and its carrier appealed, arguing that medical evidence rebutted the presumption of compensability. Although the presumption was rebutted, the Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding that the claimant's internal medicine physician provided substantial evidence that work-related stress was a significant contributing factor to the decedent's sudden cardiac death.

Workers' CompensationDeath BenefitsCausal RelationshipCardiac ArrestWork-Related StressPresumption of CompensabilityUnwitnessed DeathMedical TestimonySubstantial EvidenceAppellate Review
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Berland ex rel. Berland v. P. Mackner & Co.

The Workers' Compensation Board disallowed a claim for benefits, ruling that the death of the claimant's decedent was not causally related to a prior accident. The decedent died on January 27, 1997, due to cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiac arrest, and atherosclerotic heart disease, with cerebrovascular accident and gastrointestinal bleeding as contributing conditions. The prior accident, on December 11, 1952, had resulted in leg injuries. The claimant failed to provide prima facie medical evidence establishing a causal connection between the 1952 accident and the 1997 death from a heart condition. The court affirmed the Board's determination, finding substantial evidence to support the lack of causal relationship.

Causal RelationshipWorkers' Compensation BenefitsDeath ClaimHeart DiseasePrior AccidentMedical EvidenceBurden of ProofSubstantial EvidenceBoard DeterminationAppellate Review
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 14, 1971

Claim of Currie v. Town of Davenport

Claimant appeals a decision by the Workmen’s Compensation Board regarding Vernon Currie's death. Currie, an employee of the Town of Davenport, died of cardiac arrest while carrying water at a landfill. He had pre-existing heart disease and diabetes. The claimant's physician testified that exertion contributed to his death. The Board, however, found insufficient exertion, relying on reports from the coroner (Dr. Wilbur) and Dr. Walters. The court found that these reports did not support the Board's finding and that Dr. Walters' report erroneously disregarded established medical authority on exertion precipitating cardiac attacks. The court concluded there was no substantial evidence to support the Board's finding and, therefore, reversed the decision and remitted the matter for further proceedings.

Cardiac ArrestExertionPre-existing ConditionMyocardial InfarctionMedical Expert TestimonyEvidence SufficiencyAppellate ReviewRemandOccupational FatalityCausation
References
3
Showing 1-10 of 345 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational