Case Name: In the Matter of the Claim of Garland D. Gates, Claimant, v. McBride Transportation, Inc., et al., Respondents. Workers' Compensation Board, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1983-09-27
Citations: 60 N.Y.2d 670
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Claim of Garland D. Gates, Claimant, v McBride Transportation, Inc., et al., Respondents. Workers’ Compensation Board, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 60
Pages: 670–671

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Claim of Garland D. Gates, Claimant, v McBride Transportation, Inc., et al., Respondents. Workers’ Compensation Board, Appellant.
Decided September 27, 1983
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
Robert Abrams, Attorney-General (Peter H. Schiff, Carlin Meyer and Diane Ciccone of counsel), for appellant.
Thomas J. Spargo and Raymond C. Green for respondents.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
Memorandum.
The order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, with costs, and the determination of the Workers' Compensation Board reinstated.
A finding of fact made by the Workers' Compensation Board is considered conclusive on the courts if supported by substantial evidence (Matter of Axel v Duffy-Mott Co., 47 NY2d 1, 6). In this case, the board's finding that the claimant's heart attack was causally related to his employment was supported by substantial evidence: claimant's own testimony that he was irritated by a phone call he received, requiring him to redo an entire morning's work, and the fact that claimant experienced the heart attack very shortly after the phone call. In addition, there was medical testimony as to the causal relationship. Inasmuch as there was substantial evidence to support the determination of the board, the Appellate Division erred in reversing that determination.
Chief Judge Cooke and Judges Jasen, Jones, Wachtler, Meyer and Simons concur.
On review of submissions pursuant to rule 500.2 (b) of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.2 [g]), order reversed, with costs, and decision of the Workers' Compensation Board reinstated in a memorandum.