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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rowe v. Board of Education

Plaintiff sued Chatham Central School District Middle School for negligence after sustaining injuries from a fall in the school cafeteria, allegedly due to accumulated mud, water, and a lack of rain mats. The defendant School District subsequently impleaded the Chatham Central Teachers’ Association, claiming the Association was in control of the cafeteria and responsible for the plaintiff's injuries. Following a trial, the jury rendered a verdict of no cause for action in favor of both the School District and the Association. However, Special Term set aside this verdict and granted a new trial, based on evidence suggesting an accumulation of mud and water and the defendant's failure to provide janitorial services. On appeal, the Appellate Division reversed Special Term's order, reinstating the original jury verdict, concluding that the jury's finding was not against the weight of the evidence given the conflicting testimony presented at trial.

NegligencePremises LiabilitySlip and FallJury VerdictWeight of EvidenceAppellate ReviewNew Trial Order ReversedSchool CafeteriaChatham Central School DistrictColumbia County
References
3
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 05688
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 15, 2025

Matter of Sahara Constr. Corp. v. New York City Off. of Admin. Trials & Hearings

Sahara Construction Corp. challenged a determination by the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) that upheld civil penalties and a restitution order for violations related to a home improvement project. The Appellate Division, Second Department, reviewed the CPLR article 78 proceeding. The court confirmed OATH's determination, finding that the imposed civil penalties of $5,000 and restitution of $230,266.63 were not disproportionate and fell within statutory guidelines. The Court also affirmed the denial of the petitioner's motions to dismiss and compel discovery, concluding they were not arbitrary and capricious. Consequently, the petition was denied, and the proceeding dismissed on the merits.

Home Improvement ContractorsCivil PenaltiesRestitution AwardAdministrative Code ViolationsCPLR Article 78Judicial ReviewAppellate ReviewAbuse of DiscretionSense of FairnessAdministrative Summons
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

America Rescue Workers, Inc. v. Wesley

The petitioner, a religious corporation, sought to declare licensing ordinances of the Town of Irondequoit unconstitutional and enjoin police interference with its door-to-door solicitations for its mission. Although granted a permit, its solicitors were ordered to cease activities due to complaints of harassment. The respondents questioned the petitioner's religious status and argued the permit was conditional. The court found that the petitioner failed to name the Town of Irondequoit as a party and did not demonstrate adverse effects from the ordinances, thus lacking a basis to challenge their constitutionality. However, questions of fact remained regarding the petitioner's religious status and whether the solicitors' conduct justified police action, leading to the reversal of the judgment and remittal for trial.

Religious corporationLicensing ordinancesDoor-to-door solicitationUnconstitutionalPolice interferenceHarassment complaintsArticle 78 proceedingQuestions of factRemitted for trialMonroe Special Term
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Zimmer v. Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc.

This case is an appeal from an order of the Supreme Court in Tioga County, which granted defendants' motions to set aside a $350,000 jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff and ordered a new trial. The trial court's decision to grant a new trial was affirmed by the appellate court, acknowledging the trial court's discretion in evaluating errors. The basis for setting aside the verdict included the plaintiff's attorney's improper introduction of new medical evidence (CAT scan and X-rays) shortly before trial, without proper notice, and the subsequent testimony of Dr. Leonard J. Barron based on this evidence. Additionally, plaintiff's attorney engaged in prejudicial tactics during summation, attacking the reliability of defendants' medical expert and injecting speculative arguments about inflation and improper references to workers' compensation reimbursement. These combined errors led the trial court, and subsequently the appellate court, to conclude that defendants were denied a fair trial, thus justifying a new trial on damages.

Appeal ProcedureNew TrialEvidentiary RulingsDiscovery AbuseMedical Expert TestimonyJury Verdict Set AsideAttorney MisconductPrejudicial ErrorsDamages DeterminationFair Trial
References
6
Case No. ADJ809010 (LAO 0877737)
Regular
Feb 28, 2012

Jessica Leaser vs. Washington Mutual, Zurich North America, SRS/SEDGWICK Claims Management Services

The Appeals Board dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as untimely, as it was filed three days after the statutory deadline. Although the administrative law judge (WCJ) issued a notice of intent to sanction the lien claimant for proceeding to trial without a legal basis, the Board granted removal on its own motion. The Board rescinded the sanctions, finding the WCJ's assessment of "no factual or legal basis" unsupported on the current record, and returned the case to the trial level for further proceedings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationUntimely PetitionJurisdictional Time LimitsRemoval on Board MotionMonetary SanctionsNotice of Intention to Impose SanctionsRescinded SanctionsLien ClaimantClaims Administrator
References
4
Case No. ADJ7730252
Regular
Jul 22, 2015

MARIA OLVERA vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SEDGWICK CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reconsidered sanctions imposed by a WCJ against applicant's attorney and representative for failing to disclose a cumulative trauma claim and proceeding to trial without a legal basis. The Board rescinded one sanction for failure to disclose, finding no legal mandate for immediate disclosure, and clarified which parties were sanctioned for proceeding to trial without basis, reducing the penalties. The Board affirmed the award of costs to the defendant for defending against these actions. One Commissioner dissented, believing the conduct was not sanctionable given the evidence presented by applicant's representatives.

WCABSanctionsCostsLabor Code 5813Rule 10561Hearing RepresentativeCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryDue ProcessBill of Particulars
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Jo v. JPMC Specialty Mortg., LLC

Mee Jin-Jo (now deceased and represented by her daughter Billian Jo) filed a pro se lawsuit against JPMC Specialty Mortgage, LLC, alleging improper retention of property after her eviction. Following a jury verdict of "no cause of action," Plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial under Rule 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Court addressed Plaintiff's grievances concerning evidentiary rulings, consistency between in limine rulings and trial decisions, the presence of a corporate representative, proper service of discovery documents, opportunity to review deposition transcripts, judicial conduct, and the admissibility of new evidence and lay opinion testimony. The Court denied the motion, concluding that Plaintiff failed to demonstrate that a new trial was warranted.

Motion for New TrialRule 59 FRCPEvidentiary RulingsJury VerdictHarmless ErrorCorporate RepresentativeDeposition TranscriptLay Opinion TestimonyFederal Rules of EvidenceJudicial Discretion
References
50
Case No. ADJ8075448
Regular
Oct 10, 2017

ALEX ROBLES vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY, UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a trial judge's award in favor of applicant Alex Robles against Southern California Gas Company (SCGC). SCGC sought reconsideration, asserting that crucial testimony was omitted from the trial record. The WCAB ordered transcription of all trial testimony to ensure a full and fair adjudication of SCGC's petition. This action was necessary to allow the Board further study of the factual and legal issues involved.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAOE/COEGoing and Coming RuleMinutes of HearingSummary of EvidenceTrial TestimonyWCAB Rule 10740Transcript TranscriptionElectronic Adjudication Management System
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 03, 1982

Cerrato v. Thurcon Construction Corp.

This case concerns a construction worker (plaintiff) who sustained serious injuries and sued 211 Thompson Corp. (owner) and Thurcon Construction Corp. (general contractor). Defendant 211 Thompson Corp. raised an affirmative defense of lack of personal jurisdiction due to improper service of process. After the Statute of Limitations had expired, plaintiff moved to strike this defense, while 211 cross-moved to dismiss the action as time-barred. Special Term referred the issue of service validity to a referee, but the plaintiff argued for a jury trial on this factual issue. The Appellate Division, Supreme Court, New York County, modified Special Term's order, directing a jury trial on the validity of the service, while otherwise affirming the original determination. The dissenting opinion argued that the right to a jury trial should not be conditioned on the stage of proceedings or the impact of dismissal on the Statute of Limitations, and furthermore, considered the question of authority to accept service as one of law, not fact.

Jury TrialService of ProcessPersonal JurisdictionStatute of LimitationsAffirmative DefenseAppellate ReviewCPLRProcedural LawConstruction AccidentsNew York Courts
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

People v. Stone

The case addresses whether a trial court violated a defendant's constitutional rights by failing to sua sponte inquire into his mental capacity before allowing him to represent himself. The defendant, charged with burglary, initially represented himself, citing distrust of attorneys, but later requested stand-by counsel to take over. Post-trial, while awaiting sentencing, the defendant developed psychiatric issues and was deemed incompetent, but later recovered. On appeal, he argued that the trial court should have assessed his competency for self-representation under a heightened standard, citing Indiana v. Edwards. The Court affirmed the Appellate Division's rejection of this argument, holding that Edwards does not mandate a two-tiered competency standard or a sua sponte competency hearing for pro se requests, especially when no signs of severe mental illness were apparent during trial. The Court emphasized that New York law allows consideration of mental capacity during the 'searching inquiry' for waiver of counsel but does not require a separate formal hearing unless there is a clear basis to question mental capacity at that time.

Self-representationPro seCompetencyMental IllnessConstitutional RightsWaiver of CounselSixth AmendmentDue ProcessTrial Court DiscretionAppellate Review
References
14
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