Share This Article:
Utica, NY (WorkersCompensation.com) – The New York Supreme Court has denied a worker the right to sue a farm for damages after a cow fell on him.
According to court records, in March 2018, John Kelsey was working at Hourigan’s Udder Place, when a cow fell on him. He filed a workers’ compensation claim listing the Udder Place, Gerald Hourigan Dairy Farm and Gerald Hourigan, Jr. as his employers, and asking for compensation for injuries he sustained from the cow at his place of employment. After an administrative hearing, the Workers’ Compensation Board found in his favor and awarded him damages.
Hourigan appealed the decision
When Hourigan appealed, Kelsey then sued Hourigan for damages in civil court.
“While defendant’s administrative appeal of that determination was pending, plaintiffs commenced this action seeking to recover damages for injuries that plaintiff sustained in the accident,” the court record said. “Thereafter, defendant withdrew his administrative appeal, and the Board awarded plaintiff $142,384.32, which was paid through October 30, 2018.”
Hourigan’s attorney’s argued Kelsey couldn’t sue Hourigan because workers’ compensation was his sole remedy for recovering damages from an injury at work.
While the court initially determined Kelsey could sue Hourigan, the court reversed itself and said it was in error.
“Workers’ compensation is an exclusive remedy… and, for purposes of workers’ compensation exclusivity, ‘a partnership and its partners are considered one entity when acting in furtherance of partnership business’,” the court said. “Here, plaintiff ‘initiated a workers’ compensation claim against defendant and . . . received benefits from defendan.’ Further, plaintiffs alleged in their complaint that defendants operated the farm as business partners, and defendants admitted that allegation in their answer. We thus conclude that the workers’ compensation benefits that plaintiff received are his “sole remedy” against defendants.”
The court dismissed Kelsey’s action against Hourigan. Justices J. P. Centra, Lindley, Carni, Nemoyer and Troutman presided.
AI california case management case management focus claims compensability compliance compliance corner courts covid do you know the rule exclusive remedy florida glossary check health care Healthcare iowa leadership medical medicare minnesota NCCI new jersey new york ohio opioids osha pennsylvania Safety state info technology tennessee texas violence virginia WDYT west virginia what do you think women's history month workcompcollege workers' comp 101 workers' recovery workers' compensation contact information Workplace Safety Workplace Violence
Read Also
About The Author
About The Author
-
Liz Carey
Liz Carey has worked as a writer, reporter and editor for nearly 25 years. First, as an investigative reporter for Gannett and later as the Vice President of a local Chamber of Commerce, Carey has covered everything from local government to the statehouse to the aerospace industry. Her work as a reporter, as well as her work in the community, have led her to become an advocate for the working poor, as well as the small business owner.
Read More
- Jul 26, 2024
- Frank Ferreri
- Jul 25, 2024
- Frank Ferreri
- Jul 24, 2024
- Frank Ferreri
- Jul 23, 2024
- Anne Llewellyn
- Jul 23, 2024
- Frank Ferreri
- Jul 22, 2024
- Frank Ferreri