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

Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 06069 [199 AD3d 438]
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 09, 2021

Matter of Ashanti v. New York City Conflicts of Interest Bd.

The Appellate Division, First Department, confirmed the determination of the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board, finding that petitioner Karl J. Ashanti violated New York City Charter and City rule provisions. Ashanti was ordered to pay an aggregate civil penalty of $8,500. The court found substantial evidence supported the determination that Ashanti used his City position to gain personal advantage in negotiations on behalf of his wife and utilized City letterhead to advance a legal position contrary to the City's interests. The court rejected the petitioner's due process and agency bias claims, concluding that the penalty imposed did not shock the conscience.

Conflicts of InterestPublic OfficialsEthical ViolationsCivil PenaltyDue ProcessAgency BiasSubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewAdministrative Law JudgeCredibility Determinations
References
4
Case No. ADJ7469776
Regular
Jun 01, 2015

PAUL PALMER vs. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

This case concerns whether California workers' compensation jurisdiction applies to an out-of-state professional football player's cumulative injury claim. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's finding that the applicant's minimal contact with California (5 out of 62 games) did not establish a sufficient connection for due process under *Federal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)*. The majority found that California lacked a legitimate and substantial interest in adjudicating the claim, deeming the applicant's contact "de minimis." Commissioner Sweeney dissented, arguing that California has a substantial interest in injured workers and that the applicant's contact was more than de minimis, thus supporting WCAB jurisdiction.

WCABPaul PalmerKansas City ChiefsTravelers Property Casualty Company of AmericaADJ7469776Petition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactAdministrative Law JudgeWCJFederal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

CLARA C. v. William L.

The concurring opinion, penned by Judge Levine, addresses the unconstitutionality of Family Court Act § 516 as applied to Thomas L. C., arguing it denies the child equal protection under the law. While judicial restraint typically advises against reaching constitutional issues, the opinion asserts this rule is not absolute, especially when public interest and recurring issues necessitate prompt resolution. It challenges the State's interests previously upheld in Bacon v Bacon, citing subsequent legal developments and advancements in genetic testing, which have significantly reduced the "complex and difficult problems of proof" in paternity cases. The opinion concludes that the discriminatory treatment of nonmarital children under § 516, which bars them from seeking paternity adjudication and support based on a father's current means, lacks a substantial relationship to a legitimate State interest. Therefore, it advocates for reversing the order and remitting the case to Family Court, Kings County, with a declaration that Family Court Act § 516 is unconstitutional as applied.

Equal Protection ChallengeFamily Court Act Section 516Paternity ProceedingsNonmarital Children's RightsChild Support AgreementsConstitutional ScrutinyGenetic Testing EvidenceJudicial Precedent OverhaulState Interest DoctrineParental Support Modification
References
19
Case No. ADJ6857928
Regular
Apr 05, 2015

CALVIN COLLINS vs. ATLANTA FALCONS, TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decisions to deny enforcement of a compromise and release agreement and to decline jurisdiction over the applicant's claim. The WCAB found that the applicant's minimal contacts with California, consisting of playing only six games over his seven-year career, were insufficient to establish a legitimate and substantial connection to the alleged cumulative trauma injury. Therefore, asserting California jurisdiction would violate the employer's due process rights. The WCAB referenced the *Johnson* case, holding that such limited exposure does not create a substantial California interest.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCompromise and ReleaseSubject Matter JurisdictionCumulative Trauma InjuryProfessional AthleteDe Minimis ConnectionDue ProcessLegitimate and Substantial ConnectionLabor Code 3600.5Extraterritorial Provisions
References
10
Case No. ADJ9086089
Regular
Jul 14, 2015

**ADAM TIMMERMAN,** vs. **ST. LOUIS RAMS, LLC; GREAT DIVIDE INSURANCE COMPANY; TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY,**

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Adam Timmerman's claim for workers' compensation benefits against the St. Louis Rams and their insurers. The WCAB found that Timmerman's participation in 14 games in California, out of 189 total games in his career, did not establish a sufficient connection to California to justify the application of California workers' compensation law. This decision followed the precedent set in *Federal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)*, which requires a legitimate and substantial connection between the injury and the state for jurisdiction. The majority affirmed the WCJ's findings, concluding that California lacked a substantial interest in adjudicating this claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSt. Louis RamsTravelers Indemnity CompanyWCAB jurisdictionProfessional athlete injuryCumulative industrial injuryCalifornia workers' compensation lawFederal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)Legitimate and substantial connectionDe minimis
References
10
Case No. ADJ8260810
Regular
Jul 07, 2015

DANIEL STRYZINSKI vs. NEW YORK JETS, THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, TIG INSURANCE, ATLANTA FALCONS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied an applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming the administrative law judge's (ALJ) decision that California lacks jurisdiction over his cumulative trauma claim. The ALJ found that the applicant's participation in only 21 out of 275 professional football games played in California did not establish a sufficient connection to the state for due process purposes. The majority opinion relied on the *Federal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)* case, holding that California's interest was not substantial enough to assert jurisdiction given the applicant's lack of residency and hiring in the state. A dissenting opinion argued that California has a legitimate interest in compensating workers injured within its borders and that the applicant's connection was more than "de minimis," thus supporting WCAB jurisdiction.

StryzinskiProfessional AthleteCumulative TraumaJurisdictionDue ProcessFederal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)Legitimate and Substantial InterestDe MinimisExtraterritorial ProvisionsLabor Code section 3600.5
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Evangelista v. City of Rochester

This action was brought by the Rochester Police Locust Club, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against the City of Rochester, City Manager Peter Korn, and Police Chief Delmar Leach. The plaintiff challenged a questionnaire requiring City employees to disclose ownership of rental properties within city limits, arguing it violated the Fourteenth Amendment right to privacy. Defendants moved for summary judgment. The court applied an intermediate level of scrutiny, balancing the individual's privacy right against the government's substantial interest in deterring corruption and conflicts of interest among employees and addressing substandard housing. The court found the questionnaire to be a minimal intrusion for a legitimate purpose and dismissed the plaintiff's constitutional claim, declining pendent jurisdiction over a state law claim concerning disciplinary action under Section 75 of the New York Civil Service Law.

Right to PrivacyGovernmental DisclosurePublic EmployeesConflict of InterestSummary JudgmentFourteenth AmendmentCivil Service LawConstitutional LawMunicipal LawCity Charter
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

New York v. Peter & John's Pump House, Inc.

The State of New York sued Peter & John’s Pump House, Inc. (Club Chameleon) alleging racial discrimination against African Americans in violation of federal and state civil rights laws. The Club moved to dismiss the complaint, primarily arguing that the State lacked parens patriae standing. The court analyzed the requirements for parens patriae standing, including the assertion of a quasi-sovereign interest, injury to a substantial segment of the population, and the inability of individuals to obtain complete relief through private suits. The court found that the State satisfied all requirements, determining that preventing racial discrimination is a quasi-sovereign interest, the alleged 'practice and policy' of discrimination affected a substantial segment of the population, and the State's broader interest in injunctive relief justified its standing. Consequently, the court denied the Club’s motion to dismiss.

DiscriminationCivil RightsParens Patriae StandingMotion to DismissRacial DiscriminationNightclubPublic AccommodationQuasi-Sovereign InterestSubstantial SegmentInjunctive Relief
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re United States Lines, Inc.

The United States Lines, Inc. and its Reorganization Trust (Debtors) moved to deny a claim for pre- and post-judgment interest filed by the Public Administrator of the County of New York, Administrator of the Estate of Alfredo Valverde (Claimant). The Claimant's original wrongful death action against U.S.L. resulted in a state court judgment after the Debtors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Court, presided over by Judge Cornelius Blackshear, found that the doctrines of full faith and credit, res judicata, and collateral estoppel were inapplicable, asserting its exclusive jurisdiction over the claims allowance process in bankruptcy. Applying Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, the court disallowed all post-petition interest, whether pre- or post-judgment, classifying it as unmatured interest. However, the court allowed the portion of the claim representing pre-petition, pre-judgment interest, clarifying that the date of judgment entry does not determine whether interest is 'unmatured' as of the petition date. Lastly, the court rejected the argument that the existence of indemnity insurance from the UK Club altered the allowability of the interest claim against the Debtors' estate.

Bankruptcy LawInterest on ClaimsPostpetition InterestPrepetition InterestUnmatured InterestChapter 11 ReorganizationClaims AllowanceRes JudicataCollateral EstoppelAutomatic Stay
References
27
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

New York Public Interest Research Group Straphangers Campaign, Inc. v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) faced a significant budget deficit and implemented fare/toll increases and token booth closures. Public interest groups challenged these decisions, alleging that the MTA's public hearing notices were misleading and incomplete regarding financial details and alternative solutions. Lower courts initially sided with the petitioners, vacating the MTA's actions. However, on appeal, the court reversed these rulings, asserting that the MTA's notices complied with statutory requirements and were neither false nor misleading. The court emphasized the legislative role in setting disclosure standards and affirmed the MTA's authority, especially concerning the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority's toll-fixing powers. Consequently, the petitions were dismissed, upholding the MTA's original decisions.

Public TransportationFare IncreaseToll IncreaseBudget DeficitPublic HearingsStatutory ComplianceJudicial ReviewAdministrative LawPublic Authorities LawCPLR Article 78
References
13
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