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THE WIND BLOWING A DOOR SHUT ON PETITIONER POLICE OFFICER’S HAND DID NOT CONSTITUTE AN “ACCIDENT” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, over a two-justice dissent, determined petitioner police officer’s injury caused by wind slamming a door on her hand was not an “accident” entitling her to disability benefits:

… “[W]hen determining whether a precipitating event was unexpected, [the Comptroller] and courts may … consider whether the injured person had direct knowledge of the hazard prior to the incident or whether the hazard could have been reasonably anticipated so long as such a factual finding is based upon substantial evidence in the record” … . * * *

… [P]etitioner testified that, as she was walking from the bus to the booth to write her report, she observed that it was windy. Indeed, petitioner does not dispute that, on the day of the incident, it was cold and windy and that she was aware of the weather conditions. According to petitioner, the door to the booth weighed between 80 and 100 pounds and she was aware that the door would close on its own, as it did not have a closure arm attached to slow its closure. Petitioner further testified that, when she went to open the door to the booth, she felt resistance due to the wind blowing against it and she only opened the door enough for her to “squeeze” herself in. As petitioner entered the doorway, she felt a gust of wind and, concerned that the door was going to hit her as it closed, she put her right hand out behind her for protection. The wind blew the door shut behind her, slamming her right hand in the doorjamb. … [S]ubstantial evidence supports the Comptroller’s determination that petitioner could have reasonably anticipated that the wind would blow the door closed on her and, therefore, the incident did not constitute an accident within the meaning of the Retirement and Social Security Law … . Matter of Rizzo v DiNapoli, 2022 NY Slip Op 00095, Third Dept 1-6-22

 

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