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

Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 04896 [186 AD3d 1770]
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 03, 2020

Matter of Wen Liu v. Division of Gen. Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Sch. of Medicine

Wen Liu, a data programming analyst, filed for workers' compensation benefits in May 2010, claiming a neck injury from a June 5, 2008 fall at work due to dizziness. The employer failed to timely file a notice of controversy, but a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) disallowed the claim, finding no causal connection between the injuries and employment. The Workers' Compensation Board upheld this decision, which the claimant appealed. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing that the employer's procedural failure did not absolve the claimant of proving a causal relationship. Substantial evidence supported the Board's rejection of the claimant's medical proof, as emergency room records contradicted her later descriptions of the incident and indicated pre-existing conditions.

Workers' CompensationCausationMedical EvidenceTimely NoticeBurden of ProofInjuryFallDizzinessNeck InjuryCarpal Tunnel Syndrome
References
7
Case No. 83 Civ. 2059
Regular Panel Decision

Perry v. International Transport Workers' Federation

This case addresses a complex labor dispute between plaintiffs William Perry (President of Local 6, International Longshoremen’s Association) and International Shipping Association (ISA) against defendant International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Plaintiffs alleged antitrust violations under the Clayton and Sherman Acts, alongside state law claims for tortious interference with contractual rights, primarily concerning ITF’s 'blacking' policy on 'flag of convenience' vessels. ITF cross-claimed for antitrust violations, tortious interference, unfair competition, and trademark infringement under the Lanham Act. The court granted summary judgment to the defendant on the plaintiffs’ antitrust claim, citing a statutory labor exemption for ITF's activities, and dismissed ITF's antitrust counterclaim. While denying summary judgment on most tortious interference claims due to factual disputes, the court granted summary judgment to defendant on ISA’s tortious interference claim and to plaintiff Local 6 on ITF’s counterclaim for tortious interference with contractual relations. Furthermore, the court denied the plaintiffs' motion to dismiss the damages portion of the defendant's Lanham Act counterclaim.

Antitrust LawLabor DisputesSummary JudgmentTortious InterferenceLanham ActSherman ActClayton ActNorris-LaGuardia ActFlag of Convenience VesselsCollective Bargaining
References
55
Case No. 00-CV-1161
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 18, 2000

Gallagher v. INTERNATIONAL BROTH. OF ELEC. WORKERS

Plaintiff Michael Gallagher sued several entities, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and its President J.J. Barry, alleging age discrimination in employment referrals and retaliation through IBEW Local Union No. 43's hiring hall. Gallagher claimed the collective bargaining agreement facilitated discrimination against older workers and that Local 43 was an agent of the International defendants. The defendants moved for judgment on the pleadings, arguing that Gallagher failed to name the International defendants in his EEOC charge, thus failing to exhaust administrative remedies and that no identity of interest existed between the named and unnamed parties. The court granted the motion, dismissing the claims against the International defendants due to Gallagher's failure to file an administrative complaint against them and the lack of an agency relationship or ratification of discriminatory acts. Furthermore, the court found the claims to be time-barred under both state and federal statutes of limitations.

Age DiscriminationEmployment LawLabor UnionCollective Bargaining AgreementEEOCNYSDHRExhaustion of Administrative RemediesFederal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c)Judgment on PleadingsStatute of Limitations
References
32
Case No. ADJ8876167
Regular
Sep 18, 2015

Manuel Ruiz vs. Schwan's Home Services, Inc., Hartford Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's Petition for Removal, upholding the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision. The defendant argued the ALJ erred by admitting a Qualified Medical Evaluator's (QME) reports and by ordering a second QME panel in internal medicine. The Board found no substantial prejudice or irreparable harm to warrant removal, agreeing with the ALJ that the QME substantially complied with reporting deadlines and that an internal medicine evaluation was warranted due to the applicant's alleged stroke. Therefore, removal was deemed an inappropriate and extraordinary remedy.

RemovalPetition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ reportsubstantial prejudiceirreparable harmreconsiderationQualified Medical EvaluatorQME panelpsychology
References
2
Case No. ADJ94 70576
Regular
Jun 26, 2017

CARLOS CAMARGO vs. COX PETROLEUM TRANSPORT, EM OIL TRANSPORT, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration, rescinded the original Finding and Order, and returned the case for further proceedings. The WCAB found that the primary medical evaluator's (QME) reports were not substantial evidence because they were based on incomplete and inaccurate history, and failed to consider the impact of industrial stress on the applicant's internal medicine conditions. Additionally, the WCAB determined that a separate evaluation by a psychology or psychiatry QME was warranted to address the applicant's psychiatric injury claim, as the internal medicine QME deferred to mental health specialists. Therefore, the record requires further development regarding both the physical and psychiatric aspects of the applicant's claimed industrial injuries.

AOE/COEQMEhypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathyindustrial stresspsychiatric injuryDSM-IVLabor Code section 3208.3preponderance of the evidenceaggravated conditionsupplementation of the record
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Curry v. American International Group, Inc. Plan No. 502

Curry, a former Regional Insurance Underwriting Manager for AIG, sued American International Group, Inc. Plan No. 502 and American International Life Assurance Co. of New York ("AI Life") under ERISA § 502(a) after her long-term disability benefits were terminated. Curry suffers from degenerative osteoarthritis and diabetes. AI Life initially approved her benefits but later terminated them, alleging she could perform a sedentary occupation, relying on unverified medical responses. The court found AI Life's decision to be arbitrary and capricious due to its reliance on unreliable medical opinions, failure to clarify the record, and disregard for Curry's doctors' reports. Consequently, the court granted Curry's motion for summary judgment, denying the defendants' motion, and ordered the reinstatement of her benefits with prejudgment interest and attorney's fees.

ERISALong-term disabilityBenefits terminationArbitrary and capricious standardConflict of interestMedical opinionUnreliable evidenceSummary judgmentOrthopaedic conditionsDiabetes
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Curran v. International Union, Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers

Plaintiff, an employee of Carborundum Company, suffered a partial hand amputation in a "rubber roll" machine accident on March 8, 1979. He sued his unions, International Union, Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers, AFL-CIO, and Abrasive Workers, Local 8-12058, Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union, alleging state law negligence for failing to safeguard him from dangers and a federal claim for breaching their duty of fair representation. The unions moved for summary judgment, arguing federal law preempts the negligence claim and they did not breach their duty of fair representation. The court granted the unions' motion regarding the negligence claim, ruling that a union's duty to its members, arising from a collective bargaining agreement, is governed exclusively by federal law and does not include a duty of care. However, the court denied the motion regarding the breach of fair representation claim, finding sufficient facts and allegations to infer that the unions may have discharged their duty in an arbitrary, perfunctory manner or in bad faith, thus leaving triable issues of fact.

Union LiabilityDuty of Fair RepresentationNegligence ClaimFederal PreemptionCollective Bargaining AgreementSummary Judgment MotionLabor LawWorkplace AccidentSafety and Health CommitteeArbitrary Union Action
References
8
Case No. No. 00-CV-1161
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 28, 2000

Gallagher v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Michael Gallagher, a member of IBEW Local 43, sued the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), its President J.J. Barry, IBEW Local 43, and several electrical contractors, alleging age discrimination in employment referrals and retaliation. He claimed violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and New York Executive Law § 296. The International defendants (IBEW and J.J. Barry) filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings, arguing that Gallagher failed to name them in his administrative charges with the EEOC and NYSDHR, and that the claims were time-barred. The court granted the motion, finding that the "identity of interest" exception did not apply, thereby barring the ADEA claim against the International defendants. Additionally, the court ruled that Gallagher's state law claims were also time-barred due to failure to file within the statutory limits against the International defendants.

Age DiscriminationEmployment LawLabor UnionsCollective BargainingHiring HallEEOCNYSDHRStatute of LimitationsJudgment on the PleadingsIdentity of Interest
References
15
Case No. ADJ18210611
Regular
May 08, 2025

ELENITA JOVER vs. COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Elenita Jover, a licensed vocational nurse, sought reconsideration of a Findings and Award that denied her request for additional Qualified Medical Evaluation (QME) panels. The initial F&A found injuries to her cervical and lumbar spine, shoulders, and right thumb, but not to other claimed body parts like stress, psyche, or internal systems. The Appeals Board granted the petition, rescinded the original F&A, and ordered additional QME panels for pulmonology, internal medicine (diabetes), ophthalmology, ENT, and neurology, returning the case to the trial level for further proceedings. This decision was based on the original QME's recommendation for further evaluations and the need to develop the evidentiary record to ensure substantial justice.

Petition for ReconsiderationQualified Medical EvaluationLicensed Vocational NurseArising out of and in the course of employmentPermanent DisabilityDue ProcessPulmonologistInternistOphthalmologistOtolaryngologist
References
7
Case No. ADJ7074256
Regular
May 23, 2014

ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ vs. DANDEE TRANSPORTATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a dispute over whether the applicant, Alfonso Rodriguez, adequately pursued medical evaluations before a mandatory settlement conference. The applicant sustained an injury in 2009 and has undergone evaluations by an Agreed Medical Evaluator and Qualified Medical Evaluators. However, at the settlement conference, the applicant claimed he still required treating physician reports in psychiatry and internal medicine, leading the trial judge to take the case off calendar. The Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, finding the applicant waived objections to proceeding by not objecting to the defendant's Declaration of Readiness to Proceed or the QME panels. The Board rescinded the order and returned the case to the trial level for another settlement conference and potential trial, emphasizing the applicant's lack of diligence in discovery.

Petition for RemovalRescind OrderOff CalendarAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical EvaluatorMandatory Settlement ConferenceDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedLabor Code section 4061(i)Due DiligenceDiscovery
References
3
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