The Third Department, reversing the Comptroller, determined petitioner court officer suffered a compensable accident when slipped on a wet floor in the courthouse and may therefore be entitled to accidental disability retirement benefits:

Petitioner testified that she was on duty and returning to the security office at the end of her shift when she “slipped on the wet floor” in the courthouse where she was assigned. Having fallen to the ground on her back, she “felt the water on the floor” and observed that the whole area appeared to be wet as though recently mopped. She stated that she did not observe that the floor — which was light in color — was wet before her fall and, further, there had been no signs advising of the hazard. She had never seen anyone mopping in the courthouse and was wearing nonslip shoes as part of her uniform at the time of the fall.

Like the incidents deemed accidental in Matter of Knight v McGuire (62 NY2d 563 [1984] [accident where the petitioner slipped on wet pavement getting into a patrol car]) and Matter of Gasparino v Bratton (92 NY2d 836, 838-839 [1998] [accident where the petitioner slipped in water on a bathroom floor]), the precipitating event here was not a risk of the work performed by petitioner. Her description of the incident also demonstrates that her fall was sudden and unexpected … . Matter of Como v New York State Comptroller, 2022 NY Slip Op 01223, Third Dept 2-24-22

 

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

 

The Third Department, reversing (modifying) the hearing officer’s ruling, determined the petitioner-police-officer’s slip and fall on black ice was a compensable “accident” within the meaning of the Retirement and Social Security Law:

Petitioner testified that, while patrolling his assigned area on the evening in question, he observed a group of youths congregating in a local parking lot. Consistent with his patrol duties, petitioner pulled into what he described as the poorly illuminated parking lot with the intention of instructing the group to disperse. As petitioner exited his vehicle, he slipped on what he later described as black ice and sustained injuries. Petitioner testified that, although it was cold and blustery at the time of his fall, it was not raining or snowing, and he did not recall any precipitation occurring in the days prior to the incident. As petitioner was focused on “[o]bserving the scene,” he also did not recall looking down at the surface of the parking lot prior to exiting his patrol vehicle. * * *

Absent some indication of meteorological conditions that would be amenable to the presence or formation of black ice, respondent’s determination — that petitioner could have reasonably anticipated the slippery condition that he encountered at the time of his fall — is not supported by substantial evidence … . Matter of Castellano v DiNapoli, 2021 NY Slip Op 05148, Third Dept 9-30-21