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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

Claim of Amoah v. Mallah Management, LLC

An undocumented claimant, who secured employment using fraudulent documents, was injured and initially received workers' compensation benefits. After revealing his true identity, the employer's carrier contested the benefits, leading to an appeal. The court affirmed the Workers' Compensation Board's decision, which held that the claimant's use of fraudulent documentation did not preclude the award of wage replacement benefits under state law. The decision distinguished the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Hoffman Plastic Compounds v NLRB, finding no preemption by IRCA because denying benefits would contradict IRCA's primary goal of deterring employers from hiring undocumented workers and would not compel the claimant to commit future violations. The court concluded that New York's Workers' Compensation Law does not conflict with federal immigration policy in this context.

Undocumented Worker BenefitsImmigration FraudWorkers' Compensation PreemptionIRCAWage Replacement BenefitsAppellate ReviewState Law vs Federal LawConflict PreemptionFraudulent DocumentsEmployer Liability
References
9
Case No. SI 14 Cr. 68(KBF)
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 22, 2014

United States v. Ulbricht

This Opinion & Order addresses motions in limine filed by both the Government and defendant Ross Ulbricht in case SI 14 Cr. 68(KBF). Ulbricht is charged with narcotics trafficking, computer hacking, fraudulent identification documents, and running a continuing criminal enterprise related to the online marketplace Silk Road. The Court denied Ulbricht's motions to preclude evidence concerning Silk Road product listings, murder-for-hire solicitations, and fraudulent identification documents, finding them relevant to the charged offenses and Ulbricht's identity. Conversely, the Court granted Ulbricht's motion to preclude certain miscellaneous exhibits and denied the Government's motion to admit evidence of uncharged contraband, citing irrelevance and undue prejudice. The Government's motions regarding potential consequences of conviction and defendant's political views were denied as moot.

Silk RoadRoss UlbrichtMotions In LimineEvidence AdmissibilityNarcotics TraffickingComputer Hacking ConspiracyFraudulent Identification DocumentsMurder-for-Hire SolicitationRule 404(b) EvidenceRule 403 Balancing
References
58
Case No. ADJ-4279077 (SDO 0317244)
Regular
Jun 09, 2016

TINA BARONI vs. CITY OF OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for RELIANCE NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) issued a Decision After Removal ordering the striking of three sets of documents from the EAMS record. These documents pertained to San Diego Superior Court Case Number 37-2016-00006537-CU-IC-CTL and were submitted without objection. The WCAB previously issued a Notice of Intention to Strike these documents, stating they would be removed unless good cause to the contrary was shown. No objections were received from the parties or the identified attorneys.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemovalStriking DocumentsEAMS recordCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationReliance National Indemnity CompanyLiquidationSan Diego Superior CourtObjectionGood Cause
References
1
Case No. ADJ4279077 (SDO 0317244)
Regular
May 05, 2018

TINA BARONI vs. CITY OF OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for RELIANCE NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has removed this case for the stated intention to strike documents filed by attorney Adrienne D. Cohen, who is not of record. These documents, which include notices related to a San Diego Superior Court case and a petition for writ of prohibition, are deemed irrelevant and improperly filed. The WCAB asserts that California Superior Courts lack jurisdiction over the WCAB and that CIGA failed to utilize proper procedural remedies. The WCAB will strike the documents unless good cause is shown to the contrary within ten days.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemovalStriking DocumentsEAMS RecordCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationReliance National Indemnity CompanyCity of OceansideAdrienne D. CohenNotice of Related CaseWrit of Prohibition
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Engstrum & Nourse-Stolte v. E.C. Ernst, Inc. (In re E.C. Ernst, Inc.)

E.C. Ernst, Inc. (Ernst), a debtor-in-possession in a Chapter XI bankruptcy proceeding, entered into a subcontract with Engstrom & Nourse-Stolte (ENS) for electrical work. After Ernst filed for bankruptcy, a Supplemental Agreement allowed Ernst to continue the project. ENS later filed a Proof of Claim for expenses, which Ernst moved to expunge or allow only as a general unsecured claim. Both parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment regarding the priority of ENS's claim and the interpretation of their agreements. Additionally, Ernst sought to expunge ENS's claim for failure to produce documents. The court denied both motions for summary judgment, citing disputes over the intent behind the Supplemental Agreement and potential breach of contract, and directed ENS to comply with document production.

Bankruptcy ActChapter XI ReorganizationExecutory ContractsSummary JudgmentDebtor-in-PossessionSubcontract AgreementProof of ClaimPriority ClaimContract InterpretationDocument Production
References
13
Case No. 99-11240 B, 08-CV-774A, Adv. No. 01-1193B
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 01, 2010

McHale v. Boulder Capital LLC (In Re 1031 Tax Group, LLC)

This memorandum opinion addresses the calculation of prejudgment interest on fraudulent transfer claims recovered by Gerard A. McHale, Jr., P.A., as Trustee for the 1031 Debtors Liquidation Trust, against the Boulder Defendants. The Court determined that three transfers in 2005 and 2006 were fraudulent under section 548(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. It concludes that the Trustee is entitled to prejudgment interest from the adversary proceeding commencement date, March 20, 2009, at the bank prime loan rates in effect on the dates of each transfer (6.5%, 8.0%, and 8.25%). Additionally, the Trustee is entitled to post-judgment interest at the federal judgment rate, and a final judgment is to be entered pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b).

Prejudgment InterestFraudulent TransferBankruptcy CodeAdversary ProceedingFederal Judgment RateMarket Rate InterestPrime RateRule 54(b) JudgmentTrustee RecoveryBankruptcy Court
References
26
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Castler v. National Grid

Claimant sustained a low back injury in 2006, receiving workers' compensation benefits. In 2013, chiropractor Douglas Van Vorst treated him for two exacerbations after incidents involving shoveling snow and lifting a kayak. The employer's carrier disputed the medical bills, arguing the treatments did not comply with Workers’ Compensation Board Medical Treatment Guidelines (MTG). A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge initially ruled in favor of the medical provider, but the Workers’ Compensation Board reversed, finding insufficient documentation for the exacerbation. On appeal, the court examined the documentation and found that Van Vorst adequately detailed how the exacerbations occurred, objective changes from baseline, expected treatments, and claimant's response, satisfying the MTG requirements. The court concluded that the Board’s finding lacked substantial evidence and therefore reversed the Board's decision, remitting the matter for further proceedings.

Medical Treatment GuidelinesExacerbation of InjuryLow Back InjuryChiropractic TreatmentObjective Functional ImprovementVariance Request12 NYCRR 324.212 NYCRR 324.3Substantial EvidenceRemittal
References
5
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 02144 [226 AD3d 564]
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 23, 2024

Espinoza v. A S K Std. Tr. Corp.

The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's order denying defendant A S K Standard Transit Corp.'s motions to compel discovery, amend its answer, and strike the note of issue. The defendant's counterclaims, including fraud and breach of contract, stemming from the plaintiff's alleged use of a fraudulent Social Security card, were deemed legally insufficient due to a lack of adequately alleged damages. The court also held that a claim for abuse of process fails because the initiation of a civil action is not considered process capable of being abused. Furthermore, discovery related to the plaintiff's fraudulent documentation with other entities was found to be irrelevant to the current claim for unpaid wages.

Discovery motionMotion to amend answerStrike note of issueCounterclaimsFraudulent documentationSocial Security fraudBreach of contractAbuse of processDamagesUnpaid wages
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pineda v. Kel-Tech Construction, Inc.

This case addresses a dispute over wage payments to undocumented alien workers employed by Kel-Tech Construction, Inc. on public works projects. The plaintiffs, including Adeline Carpió and Jose Luis Zamora, sued Kel-Tech and its sureties, Reliance Insurance Company and United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, for unpaid prevailing wages and supplemental benefits, alleging a money-laundering scheme by Kel-Tech. Defendants sought summary judgment, arguing the plaintiffs' use of fraudulent documents to obtain employment barred their claims, and also moved to dismiss claims related to the ES. 24 project. The court had previously dismissed claims for ES. 24 and declined to enforce releases from two plaintiffs. This decision denies defendants' motion for summary judgment, asserting that New York's Labor Law, particularly Section 220, is not preempted by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) concerning the payment of earned wages to undocumented workers. The court emphasizes public policy aims to ensure fair wages for all workers and identifies unresolved factual disputes regarding both plaintiffs' alleged fraudulent conduct and Kel-Tech's own compliance with IRCA and its alleged 'unclean hands' in the wage payment scheme. The court also denied dismissal of quantum meruit and unjust enrichment claims related to William Taft High School.

undocumented workersprevailing wageLabor Law Section 220Immigration Reform and Control Actsummary judgmentfraudulent documentationquantum meruitunjust enrichmentpublic works contractswage dispute
References
20
Case No. ADJ7790883
Regular
Nov 01, 2012

MACARIO JAIMES vs. FS PRECISION TECH, TRAVELERS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, PACIFIC COMPENSATION, HOME ASSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to obtain a hearing transcript and allow the defendant, Travelers Insurance, to submit correspondence. This correspondence, including a representation letter from applicant's attorney, is relevant to the presumed compensability of the applicant's industrial injury claim under Labor Code section 5402. The Board now intends to admit these documents into evidence unless a written objection with good cause is filed within 10 days. All future communications regarding this case must be submitted in writing to the Board's Commissioners.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMacario JaimesFS Precision TechTravelersState Compensation Insurance FundPacific CompensationHome AssuranceChartisLabor Code section 5402presumption of compensability
References
0
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