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Case Law Database

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

Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 06315 [233 AD3d 555]
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 17, 2024

Rodriguez v. Manhattan Restoration LLC

This case concerns an appeal where the plaintiff, Francisco Rodriguez, alleged negligent hiring, supervision, and retention against Manhattan Restoration LLC, a general contractor. Rodriguez was attacked by an employee of TMF Construction LLC, a subcontractor hired by Manhattan Restoration. The Supreme Court granted summary judgment dismissing the complaint against Manhattan Restoration. The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed this decision, finding no vicarious liability as the assailant worked for the subcontractor, not Manhattan Restoration. The court also determined that Manhattan Restoration did not own the property, exercised only general supervisory authority, and lacked knowledge of the assailant's violent propensities. Furthermore, the argument regarding the absence of a safety manager was deemed speculative.

negligent hiringnegligent supervisionnegligent retentionvicarious liabilityrespondeat superiorconstruction projectsubcontractorgeneral contractorsummary judgmentduty to keep premises safe
References
5
Case No. 05 Civ. 0200 (CM)
Regular Panel Decision
May 12, 2008

Virga v. BIG APPLE CONST. & RESTORATION INC.

The plaintiffs, including John Virga and various Mason Tenders District Council Funds, sued defendants Big Apple Construction & Restoration Inc. and Kang Yeon Lee for unpaid fringe benefits, dues checkoffs, and Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The defendants failed to respond to discovery and a notice to admit, leading to a default judgment. The court initially granted summary judgment, awarding damages but denying imputed audit costs. Upon reconsideration, the court reversed its decision regarding audit costs, finding that a 'catch-all' provision in the CBA allowed for their recovery. The motion for reconsideration was granted, and imputed audit costs were awarded in addition to the previously granted damages.

ERISATaft-Hartley ActCollective Bargaining AgreementFringe BenefitsDues CheckoffsPAC ContributionsSummary JudgmentDefault JudgmentPersonal LiabilityAudit Costs
References
22
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 07391
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 01, 2018

Matter of Community Hous. Improvement Program v. Commissioner of Labor

The Appellate Division, Third Department, dismissed an appeal filed by the Community Housing Improvement Program against the Commissioner of Labor. The appeal sought to challenge a decision by the Industrial Board of Appeals regarding a minimum wage order for the building service industry. The court determined it lacked subject matter jurisdiction because the petitioner failed to properly file a notice of appeal with the court of original instance, which was the Industrial Board of Appeals, not the Appellate Division. Additionally, the petitioner failed to timely and correctly serve the notice of appeal on the respondent's counsel at the designated address. Consequently, due to the complete failure to comply with CPLR 5515, the appeal was dismissed.

JurisdictionAppeal ProcedureService of ProcessAppellate DivisionIndustrial Board of AppealsMinimum WageLabor LawCPLRNew York CourtsStatutory Interpretation
References
12
Case No. CA 12-02373
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 27, 2013

ABBOTT, JONATHAN v. CROWN MILL RESTORATION DEVELOPMENT

The plaintiff, Jonathan Abbott, commenced a Labor Law and common-law negligence action against Crown Mill Restoration Development, LLC, seeking damages for injuries from a fall. A default judgment was entered against Crown Mill after it failed to appear at a damages inquest. Crown Mill moved to vacate the default judgment, citing law office failure and meritorious defenses, including that the Workers' Compensation Law barred recovery. The Supreme Court denied the motion. The Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, modified the order, affirming the denial to vacate the default judgment but granting the motion in part to vacate the default judgment only insofar as it awarded specific damages. The case was remitted to Supreme Court, Onondaga County, for a new assessment of damages. The court found Crown Mill failed to establish a reasonable excuse for its default and did not prove fraud or misrepresentation. Additionally, appeals related to an enforcement action based on piercing the corporate veil were dismissed or affirmed.

Default JudgmentVacaturDamages AssessmentAppellate ReviewLaw Office FailureCorporate Veil PiercingNegligencePersonal InjuryAppealsJudicial Discretion
References
27
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 00901
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 06, 2020

Matter of Hernandez v. KNS Bldg. Restoration, Inc.

Claimant Guadalupe Hernandez sought workers' compensation benefits for knee and shoulder injuries sustained on his first day of work for KNS Building Restoration, Inc., who, along with insurer Zurich American Insurance Company, denied an employment relationship and coverage. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) credited the claimant's testimony, establishing the claim and finding KNS to be the responsible employer covered by a Zurich wrap-up policy, a decision affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, citing substantial evidence supporting the finding of an employer-employee relationship and the Board's credibility determinations. The court also found no abuse of discretion in the Board's refusal to consider new evidence submitted for the first time on administrative review. The decision therefore upholds the finding that Hernandez was an employee of KNS and was injured at its construction site.

Workers' CompensationEmployment RelationshipSubstantial EvidenceCredibility DeterminationInsurance CoverageConstruction AccidentAppellate ReviewNew EvidenceWrap-up PolicyEmployer Liability
References
9
Case No. 142 SSM 33
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 16, 2017

The Matter of the Claim of Lidia Burgos v. Citywide Central Insurance Program

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the order of the Appellate Division. The decision concerned the claim of Lidia Burgos against Citywide Central Insurance Program and the Workers' Compensation Board. The Appellate Division had concluded that substantial evidence supported the Workers' Compensation Board's determinations regarding the claimant's degree of impairment and loss of wage-earning capacity. The Court of Appeals found no reason to overturn this conclusion.

Workers' CompensationImpairmentWage-earning CapacitySubstantial EvidenceAppellate DivisionClaimantInsurance ProgramBoard DeterminationJudicial ReviewAffirmed Order
References
1
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 04574
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 06, 2025

Matter of Suburban Restoration Co., Inc. v. State of New York Dept. of Labor

This case involves a CPLR article 78 proceeding initiated by Suburban Restoration Co., Inc., and others, challenging a determination by the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor. The Commissioner found that Suburban willfully failed to pay prevailing wages and supplements to employees on three public work projects, falsified payroll records, and assessed a 16% annual interest on underpayments along with a 15% civil penalty. The Appellate Division, Second Department, reviewed the determination and found it to be supported by substantial evidence. The court upheld the Commissioner's findings regarding underpayments, willful non-compliance, falsified records, and the method of calculating back wages, as well as the proportionality of the civil penalty.

Prevailing WagesPublic WorksWage UnderpaymentFalsified Payroll RecordsCivil PenaltyLabor Law ComplianceArticle 78 ProceedingAdministrative ReviewSubstantial EvidenceEmployer Liability
References
14
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 04184 [150 AD3d 1589]
Regular Panel Decision
May 25, 2017

New York State Workers' Compensation Board v. Program Risk Management, Inc.

The New York State Workers' Compensation Board, acting as administrator and successor to the Community Residence Insurance Savings Plan, initiated legal action against various entities and individuals after the trust became severely underfunded. Defendants include Program Risk Management, Inc. (administrator), PRM Claims Services, Inc. (claims administrator), individual officers of PRM, the Board of Trustees, and Thomas Gosdeck (trust counsel). The plaintiff sought damages for claims such as breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice. The Supreme Court's order partially dismissed some claims and denied others. On cross-appeal, the Appellate Division, Third Department, modified the Supreme Court's order, notably reversing the dismissal of several breach of fiduciary duty claims and common-law indemnification against PRMCS, while affirming denials of motions to dismiss breach of contract, legal malpractice, and unjust enrichment claims. The court's decision was influenced by recent rulings in State of N.Y. Workers' Compensation Bd. v Wang.

Workers' Compensation LawGroup Self-Insured TrustBreach of ContractBreach of Fiduciary DutyLegal MalpracticeUnjust EnrichmentStatute of LimitationsEquitable EstoppelAlter Ego LiabilityCommon-Law Indemnification
References
20
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Reitman v. Sobol

The petitioner, a certified social worker, sought to restore his professional license after surrendering it in 1988 following a guilty plea to sodomy. His 1992 application for restoration was denied by the Board of Regents. Subsequently, the petitioner initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding in this Court to challenge the denial. The Court determined it lacked original jurisdiction to review the denial of a professional license restoration application, citing that such proceedings must be commenced in Supreme Court without specific statutory authority for direct appellate review. Consequently, the petition was dismissed due to a lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Professional MisconductLicense RestorationCPLR Article 78Subject Matter JurisdictionAppellate ReviewBoard of RegentsSocial WorkerDenial of ApplicationNew York LawProfessional Licensing
References
14
Case No. ADJ15516233
Regular
Aug 04, 2025

JULIE GARTZ vs. UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC., SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

Applicant Julie Gartz sought reconsideration of a WCJ's May 5, 2025 Findings of Fact, which found her primary treating physician's report lacked substantial evidence for a functional restoration program and deemed Utilization Review unnecessary for a second Request for Authorization. The applicant argued the defendant delayed treatment and that the WCJ erred on UR requirements and WCAB jurisdiction. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the Petition for Reconsideration, deferring a final decision for further review of the merits and the complete record, while highlighting its continuing jurisdiction and relevant legal principles.

Petition for ReconsiderationFunctional Restoration ProgramUtilization ReviewRequest for AuthorizationMedical NecessityChange of Material FactsTimelinessWCAB JurisdictionDubon IILabor Code Section 4610
References
13
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