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Time Constraints, In Workers’ Compensation Law 25, for Seeking Reimbursement for Compensation Paid by Self-Insured Employer Applied to Workers’ Compensation Law 30 As Well

The Third Department determined the self-insured employer waived its right to reimbursement for compensation payments made to its employee because it failed to make a timely claim under Workers’ Compensation Law 25(4)(a).  The court concluded that the wording of Workers’ Compensation Law 30 did not require a different result.  Section 30 was interpreted to include the time constraints imposed by section 25:

Here, the Board correctly determined that the employer was required to file timely requests for reimbursement, but did not do so. Workers’ Compensation Law § 25 (4) (a) provides that “[i]f the employer has made advance payments of compensation, or has made payments to an employee in like manner as wages during any period of disability, [the employer] shall be entitled to be reimbursed out of an unpaid instalment or instalments of compensation due, provided [the employer’s] claim for reimbursement is filed before award of compensation is made.” If this statute alone is applied here, the employer is precluded from recovering the full wages paid to claimant pursuant to General Municipal Law § 207-c because the employer did not file requests for reimbursement prior to the initial awards of compensation benefits for the relevant time periods … .

The employer contends that Workers’ Compensation Law § 30 applies instead. That statute provides that “any salary or wages paid to . . . [a claimant] under and pursuant to [General Municipal Law § 207-c] shall be credited against any award of compensation . . . under this chapter” (Workers’ Compensation Law § 30 [3]). To analyze these provisions, “the text of a statute is the best evidence of legislative intent and, where the statutory language is clear and unambiguous, the court should construe it so as to give effect to the plain meaning of the words used” … . Because these two provisions are related statutes in the Workers’ Compensation Law, they “must be construed together unless a contrary legislative intent is expressed, and courts must harmonize the related provisions in a way that renders them compatible” … . Workers’ Compensation Law §§ 25 and 30 both provide a right to reimbursement out of future benefits, with section 30 being more specific regarding the statutory basis for the wage replacement payments sought to be reimbursed. Workers’ Compensation Law § 25 (4) (a) additionally provides that the employer will waive that right if it fails to timely submit a claim for reimbursement. “If by any fair construction, a reasonable field of operation can be found for [both of these related] statutes, that construction should be adopted” … . A reasonable construction of these two statutes is to read them together and conclude that the right of reimbursement granted by both statutes will be waived if the employer fails to submit a timely request for reimbursement. Matter of O’Brien v Albany County Sheriff’s Dept., 2015 NY Slip Op 01842, 3rd Dept 3-5-15

 

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Negligent Highway Design Not Demonstrated/Plaintiff’s Amnesia Did Not Excuse Submission of Proof of Proximate Cause

The Third Department determined summary judgment was properly awarded to county in case alleging negligent highway design.  Plaintiff’s vehicle left the roadway and went down an embankment, incurring traumatic brain injury resulting in amnesia re: the accident.  The complaint alleged there should have been a guide rail where plaintiff’s vehicle left the road.  However, there was a twenty-foot wide flat area between the edge of the road and the embankment. The court noted that the plaintiff’s amnesia did not excuse her from submitting proof of proximate cause:

“Municipalities owe a nondelegable duty to the public to construct and maintain their roads in a reasonably safe condition” … . While this duty includes providing adequate warning signs and guide rails or other barriers in appropriate circumstances, a municipality will not be held liable for a breach of duty unless the breach proximately caused the accident … . Accordingly, to establish a cause of action for negligent highway design, plaintiffs were required to provide evidentiary facts that could support a finding that defendant breached its duty to maintain the road in a reasonably safe condition, and that this breach was a proximate cause of the accident. * * *

Plaintiff’s amnesia as to the cause of the accident does not excuse her from submitting prima facie proof of proximate cause. In a proper case, an amnesiac plaintiff may be held to a lesser burden of proof as to proximate cause than a party who is able to provide an account of events … . However, that doctrine is inapplicable where, as here, the defendant has no greater access to the underlying facts than the amnesiac plaintiff … . Moreover, even when the doctrine applies, the burden remains on the amnesiac plaintiff to present prima facie proof of the defendant’s negligence to permit a jury to base its verdict on evidence rather than speculation … . This burden may not be satisfied by “inferences as to causation which are based solely upon speculation” … . As plaintiffs neither made an evidentiary showing that defendant breached its duty to construct and maintain the road in a safe condition nor that such a breach proximately caused the accident, summary judgment was properly granted to defendant on the ground that plaintiffs failed to establish a cause of action for negligent highway design.  Lindquist v County of Schoharie, 2015 NY Slip Op 01852, 3rd Dept 3-5-15

 

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Tax Exemption Properly Eliminated for Airplane Hangar Not Held for Public Use

The Third Department determined an airplane hangar, previously tax-exempt, was properly deemed taxable by the town assessor because it was not held for public use:

Where, as here, a municipality decides to eliminate a previously granted tax exemption, it has the burden of “‘proving that the real property is subject to taxation'” … . Faced with the burden of demonstrating that petitioner was not eligible for an exemption inasmuch as the hangar, as is relevant here, was not “held for a public use” (RPTL 406 [1]), respondents had to show that the hangar was not “‘occupied, employed, or availed of, by and for the benefit of the community at large'” … . That a private corporation “derives a benefit or that [a] county has leased the property to a private party does not by itself defeat the exemption” … . A determination that a parcel is exempt from real property taxation turns on whether it has a “‘public use’ . . . that enhances the health, education, safety, or welfare of the residents of the municipality” … .

The record reveals that the hangar is locked at all times and is not accessible to members of the general public; access to the bays is strictly limited to petitioner’s three members and parties who execute rental agreements with petitioner. Matter of Hangair, LLC v Hillock, 2015 NY Slip Op 01850, 3rd Dept 3-5-15

 

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ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE STATES THAT EMPIRE ZONE REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TAX PAYER MAKES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, PETITIONERS WERE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE FROM A MORTGAGE TAX ESCROW ACCOUNT (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing the Tax Appeals Tribunal, determined petitioners’ were entitled to Empire Zone real property tax credits even though the tax payment were mortgage by Wells Fargo from a mortgage tax escrow account. The Tax Law requires “direct payment” to the taxing authority:

… [A]lthough Tax Law § 15 (e) (3) contemplates a “direct payment” of real property taxes from the lessee to the taxing authority, we find that, under the particular circumstances presented here, [the lessee’s] use of a mortgage tax escrow account for the payment of real property taxes did not preclude petitioners from claiming the subject [Empire Zone] real property tax credits. Matter of Balbo v New York State Tax Appeals Trib., 2018 NY Slip Op 05540, Third Dept 7-26-18​

TAX LAW (EMPIRE ZONE, ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE STATES THAT EMPIRE ZONE REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TAX PAYER MAKES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, PETITIONERS WERE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE FROM A MORTGAGE TAX ESCROW ACCOUNT (THIRD DEPT))/MUNICIPAL LAW (EMPIRE ZONE, ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE STATES THAT EMPIRE ZONE REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TAX PAYER MAKES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, PETITIONERS WERE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE FROM A MORTGAGE TAX ESCROW ACCOUNT (THIRD DEPT))/REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW  (EMPIRE ZONE, ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE STATES THAT EMPIRE ZONE REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TAX PAYER MAKES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, PETITIONERS WERE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE FROM A MORTGAGE TAX ESCROW ACCOUNT (THIRD DEPT))/EMPIRE ZONE (EMPIRE ZONE, ALTHOUGH THE STATUTE STATES THAT EMPIRE ZONE REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE TAX PAYER MAKES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY, PETITIONERS WERE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDITS EVEN THOUGH THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE FROM A MORTGAGE TAX ESCROW ACCOUNT (THIRD DEPT))

Principles of Ademption Applied to Property Transferred Out of the Estate

The Third Department found the doctrine of ademption applicable to the lifetime transfer of property which divested the testator of ownership:

[The principles of ademption] are set forth in EPTL 3-4.3, which states that “[a] conveyance, settlement or other act of a testator by which an estate in his property, previously disposed of by will, is altered but not wholly divested does not revoke such disposition, but the estate in the property that remains in the testator passes to the beneficiaries pursuant to the disposition. However, any such conveyance, settlement or other act of the testator which is wholly inconsistent with such previous testamentary disposition revokes it.” Ademption will not lightly be found under EPTL 3-4.3, which is construed strictly given that its terms permit a testator to nullify dispositions without engaging in the elaborate formalities ordinarily required to revoke his or her will, either in whole or in part … . Matter of Braunstein, 2015 NY Slip Op 01703, 3rd Dept 2-26-15

 

Criteria for “Charitable” Exemption to Real Property Tax for Provider of Housing for the Elderly Explained

In finding there were questions of fact about whether petitioner, a provider of housing for the elderly, qualified for the “charitable” property tax exemption pursuant to Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) 420-a, the Third Department explained the relevant criteria:

The “critical factor” in determining whether a facility used for housing the elderly qualifies for an exemption by virtue of being “charitable” is whether the facility subsidizes rent or charges less than fair market rental rates … . Consideration is given to whether the facility retains the ability to terminate a resident’s lease for nonpayment, whether residents are charged for supplemental services and the number of residents who are dependent on government benefits … . Simply providing housing for elderly low-income individuals does not constitute a charitable purpose … . Matter of The Church Aid of the Prot Episcopal Church in the Town of Saratoga Springs Inc v Town of Malta Assessor, 2015 NY Slip Op 01689, 3rd Dept 2-26-15

 

Question of Fact Re: the “Hostility” Element of a Prescriptive Easement

In finding that the prescriptive easement cause of action should not have been dismissed, the Third Department explained the proof requirements:

A party claiming a prescriptive easement must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that the use of the easement was open, notorious, hostile and continuous for a period of 10 years … . Although the element of hostility is presumed upon a showing of the other elements, where “the relationship between the parties is one of neighborly cooperation and accommodation,” no such presumption arises and, rather, permission will be inferred … . “Generally, the question of implied permission is one for the factfinder to resolve” … .

Here, the evidence submitted on the summary judgment motions indicates that a neighborly relationship existed between plaintiff, individually, the Trust’s tenants and defendants’ predecessors in title. However, inasmuch as there is no evidence of express permission granted to use defendants’ property, and the relevant parties are not “related by blood or part of a select group of friends,” summary judgment dismissing the claim for a prescriptive easement on the ground that plaintiff was unable to establish hostility was not warranted … . Gulati v O’Leary, 2015 NY Slip Op 01693, 3rd Dept 2-26-15

 

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Charitable Trust’s Challenge to Tax Foreclosure Time-Barred—Four-Month Statute of Limitations Applies to Action for Declaratory Judgment—RPTL, not the EPTL, Controls

The Third Department determined the action challenging the tax foreclosure on parcels of land owned by a charitable trust set up to hold land for Native Americans must be dismissed as time-barred.  The court further determined that County Court had subject matter jurisdiction because the matter was subject to the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL), not the Estates Powers and Trust Law (EPTL), and there was, therefore, no requirement that the Attorney General be notified of the tax foreclosure proceedings:

Under RPTL article 7, a property owner claiming to be aggrieved by an assessment of real property on the basis that the assessment is excessive, unequal or unlawful, or that the property is misclassified, may file a petition challenging the assessment, but “such a proceeding shall be commenced within thirty days after the final completion and filing of the assessment roll containing such assessment” (RPTL 702 [2]; see RPTL 704 [1]; 706 [1]). Where a party is alleging that the assessment is void — either through a challenge to the methodology of assessment or the jurisdiction of the taxing authority to assess particular property — the party may instead bring a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 or a declaratory judgment action … . Both of those options are governed by a four-month statute of limitations … . The Court of Appeals has expressly rejected plaintiffs’ argument that, because the property is allegedly mandatorily exempt from taxes, the assessment is illegal and void and may be challenged at any time … . Plaintiffs concede that they had notice of the Town’s determination regarding the taxable status of the parcels, and filed a grievance to administratively challenge the tax bills when the property was first listed as not tax exempt, but they failed to appeal when the Town denied the grievance. Plaintiffs did not file any further grievances, actions or proceedings until they commenced this action more than a year after the final foreclosure proceeding was concluded. Accordingly, while an action for declaratory judgment was a proper method, the statute of limitations bars plaintiffs’ challenges to their tax assessments … . Turtle Is Trust v County of Clinton, 2015 NY Slip Op 01698, 3rd Dept 2-26-15

 

Extraordinary Circumstances Justified Award of Primary Physical Custody to Nonparent–Criteria Described

In affirming Family Court’s award of primary physical custody to the grandmother, the Third Department explained the “extraordinary circumstances” criteria for awarding primary physical custody to a nonparent:

Family Court’s finding of extraordinary circumstances is supported by the record. It is clear and settled that a “parent has a claim of custody of his or her child, superior to that of all others, in the absence of surrender, abandonment, persistent neglect, unfitness, disruption of custody over an extended period of time or other extraordinary circumstances” … . “It is the nonparent’s burden to establish extraordinary circumstances and, when that burden is met, custody is determined based upon the child’s best interests” … . The pertinent factors to be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances exist “include the length of time the child has lived with the nonparent, the quality of that relationship and the length of time the biological parent allowed such custody to continue without trying to assume the primary parental role” … , an analysis that considers “the cumulative effect of all issues present in a given case” … . Matter of Curless v McLarney, 2015 NY Slip Op 01680, 3rd Dept 2-26-15

 

Interpreter Working for Office of Court Administration Was an Employee, Not an Independent Contractor

The Third Department determined claimant, a Spanish interpreter working for the Office of Court Administration (OCA), was an employee, not an independent contractor, but declined to extend the holding to others similarly situated:

Whether an employer-employee relationship exists “is a factual issue for the Board to resolve and its decision will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence” … . “While no single factor is determinative, control over the results produced or the means used to achieve those results are pertinent considerations, with the latter being more important” … . We find that substantial evidence supports the Board’s decision that OCA exercised sufficient supervision, direction and control over this claimant’s work activities to establish an employer-employee relationship, but decline to extend this holding to others “similarly situated.”

During the nearly 2½ years that claimant worked at the Bronx Family Court, she was required to work a set schedule from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. … . When first assigned to that court, she was scheduled to report for a few weeks, but it was not long before claimant was scheduled monthly in advance … . Although claimant did not have to accept assignments, once she was on the schedule, she could not take time off, nor was she allowed to send someone in her place … ; if she knew she needed time off, she was expected to tell her supervisor in advance so she would not be put on the schedule … . Upon arriving at work each morning, claimant reported to the senior court interpreter, who told her where to report. OCA set claimant’s rate of pay … and, upon reporting to the court, she was paid — by direct deposit into her personal checking account — whether or not she actually provided interpreting services … . * * * Matter of Viau…, 2015 NY Slip Op 01691, 3rd Dept 2-26-16

 

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