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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

Legal Aid Society v. Association of Legal Aid Attorneys

The Legal Aid Society sought a preliminary injunction against the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys and its officers to prevent the disciplining of striking union members who crossed picket lines. The plaintiff also claimed tortious interference and a civil rights conspiracy under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) on behalf of itself, non-striking attorneys, and indigent clients. The District Court denied the injunction, finding several impediments to success on the merits. These included the NLRB's primary jurisdiction, the Norris-LaGuardia Act's prohibitions, and the plaintiff's lack of standing for third-party claims. Furthermore, the court determined that the conspiracy allegations under Section 1985(3) were conclusory and lacked substantial merit.

Labor DisputePreliminary InjunctionUnion DisciplinePicket LinesNational Labor Relations Act (NLRA)Norris-LaGuardia ActStanding (Law)Conspiracy (Law)Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. § 1985(3))Tortious Interference
References
32
Case No. SAC 339641, SAC 352335
Regular
Dec 21, 2007

Richard D. Smith vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; Legally Uninsured, c/o STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior decision due to questions about the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) apportionment of permanent disability. The applicant argued the AME's opinion was based on an incorrect legal theory and lacked substantial evidence, as it mischaracterized prior treatment and failed to adequately account for the cumulative trauma injury. The Board remanded the case for further development of the record, specifically requesting a follow-up opinion from the AME regarding the 25% apportionment.

WCABReconsiderationApportionmentAgreed Medical ExaminerCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryPermanent DisabilityIndustrial InjuryLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance Fund
References
4
Case No. ADJ1555118 (SAC 0336524) ADJ4532833 (SBR 0341290) ADJ457150 (SBR 0341294)
Regular
Jun 07, 2010

CLYTAN GUSMAN vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, Legally Uninsured, Adjusted BY STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The WCAB granted reconsideration of a prior award finding 82% permanent disability due to industrial injuries to the applicant's psyche and internal systems. The primary reason for rescission was that the expert psychiatric evaluator applied an incorrect legal theory regarding apportionment of psyche disability by failing to consider non-work-related factors that are now apportionable under SB 899. The case is returned to the trial level for further development of the record, specifically concerning apportionment of psyche disability and potential consolidation of injury dates into a single cumulative trauma. The Board also instructed the WCJ to ensure the evidentiary record complies with exhibit listing rules.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCautan GusmanState of California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPsyche disabilityHeart disabilityInternal systems disabilityPermanent disabilityApportionment
References
15
Case No. ADJ9642652
Regular
Aug 23, 2018

ROSE CASADO vs. KAISER PERMANENTE, SEDGWICK

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the original Findings and Award, returning the case for further proceedings. The Board found the Qualified Medical Examiner's (QME) report inadmissible due to a violation of Labor Code section 4628 concerning the disclosure of individuals assisting in examinations. Additionally, the Board noted potential reliance on an incorrect legal theory by the QME regarding the rating of subjective complaints without objective findings. The matter is remanded for further development of the record, including a supplemental report from the QME that complies with legal requirements.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityQualified Medical Evaluator (QME)Substantial EvidenceLabor Code Section 4628Jamar DynamometerMedical-Legal ReportsAMA Guides
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Weiss v. Legal Aid Society

Plaintiff, an attorney formerly employed by The Legal Aid Society, initiated this action seeking wage step increases. The case was initially removed to federal court under Section 301 of the National Labor Relations Act, based on an alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement. However, through subsequent proceedings and clarifications by plaintiff's counsel, it became evident that the claim was predicated solely on an alleged independent oral promise made by the Society to individual attorneys, rather than a contract between an employer and a labor organization. The court concluded that Section 301 jurisdiction only applies to violations of agreements between an employer and a labor organization, and thus, it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the individual oral contract claim. Consequently, the action was dismissed.

Labour LawSubject Matter JurisdictionCollective Bargaining AgreementOral ContractWage DisputesDistrict CourtEmployment LawNational Labor Relations ActFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureMotion to Dismiss
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mental Hygiene Legal Service v. Maul

The Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS), represented by its director Bruce Dix, petitioned the court to compel Thomas Maul, Commissioner of OMRDD, and Joseph Colarusso, Director of Sunmount DDSO, to provide access to investigative files regarding an incident involving resident Lynnette T. MHLS argued its statutory mandate under Mental Hygiene Law § 47.03 required access to safeguard residents from abuse. Respondents contended the records were protected from disclosure under Education Law § 6527 (3) and Mental Hygiene Law § 29.29, which prioritize confidentiality for quality assurance and incident investigations. The court, however, distinguished between CPLR Article 31 discovery and MHLS's specific statutory right of access. The court ruled that the statutes cited by the respondents did not prohibit disclosure to MHLS, granting MHLS access to the requested investigative reports and underlying documentation, with the stipulation that MHLS maintain their confidentiality.

Mental Hygiene LawAccess to RecordsCPLR Article 78Investigative FilesPatient RightsConfidentialityAbuse and MistreatmentState FacilitiesOMRDDSunmount DDSO
References
1
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 00229
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2022

Matter of Patsis (Legal Interpreting Servs., Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)

The case concerns an appeal by Legal Interpreting Services, Inc. (LIS) from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board had ruled that Louiza Patsis, a linguist working for LIS, was an employee and that LIS was liable for unemployment insurance contributions. LIS contended that Patsis was an independent contractor and challenged the Board's adherence to Department of Labor guidelines. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence supported the finding of an employment relationship. The court noted the control LIS exercised over its linguists through a written agreement and job assignments, and found no inconsistency with the Department of Labor guidelines.

unemployment insuranceemployment relationshipindependent contractorappellate divisionlabor lawunemployment benefitsstatutory interpretationsubstantial evidenceadministrative reviewlegal interpreting
References
7
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 00228 [201 AD3d 1164]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2022

Matter of Debora (Legal Interpreting Servs., Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)

This case concerns an appeal by Legal Interpreting Services, Inc. (LIS) from decisions by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board determined that Fausto Debora, a linguist, was an employee of LIS and that LIS was liable for unemployment insurance contributions. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's finding, concluding that substantial evidence supported the existence of an employment relationship. The court noted that LIS exercised sufficient control over its linguists by screening qualifications, negotiating pay, and assigning jobs, despite some flexibility offered to the linguists. The decision also dismissed LIS's argument regarding Department of Labor guidelines, stating no inconsistency was found with established common-law tests for employment.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployment RelationshipIndependent ContractorAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceLinguist ServicesControl TestDepartment of Labor GuidelinesEmployer LiabilityStatutory Interpretation
References
10
Case No. No. 28
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 21, 2022

The Matter of Mental Hygiene Legal Service v. Kerry Delaney

This case involves an appeal by Mental Hygiene Legal Service on behalf of a 16-year-old child with developmental disabilities who was confined to an emergency room for several weeks due to a lack of suitable residential placement or in-home services. Petitioner sought the child's immediate discharge and a declaration that the state's failure to provide community habilitation and respite services was arbitrary and violated her statutory rights under CPLR articles 70 and 78, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lower courts dismissed the petition, finding the matter moot but applying the exception. The Court of Appeals ultimately dismissed the appeal on grounds of mootness, citing intervening material alterations to service programs, specifically the Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD) program. A dissenting opinion argued for the application of the mootness exception and the viability of petitioner's claims under state and federal law.

Developmental DisabilitiesMedicaid ServicesEmergency Room ConfinementMootness ExceptionIntegration MandateMental Hygiene LawAmericans with Disabilities ActCrisis ServicesResidential PlacementNew York Court of Appeals
References
33
Case No. ADJ2188291 (SAC 0326657)
Regular
Oct 19, 2009

ALYSE CALLISON vs. LOWE'S; SPECIALTY RISK LA HABRA

Reconsideration granted; prior WCJ decision rescinding due to incorrect legal theories on apportionment applied by QME and WCJ. Case returned for further proceedings.

ApportionmentPermanent Total DisabilityCausationMedical Legal EvaluatorSB 899Industrial InjuryNon-Industrial FactorsPathological ChangesAsymptomatic Prior ConditionsRetroactive Prophylactic Work Preclusions
References
17
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