Court Opinion

ID: 2789366
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-03-26 14:07:21.127613+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:09:51.675887
License: Public Domain

State of New York
                   Supreme Court, Appellate Division
                      Third Judicial Department
Decided and Entered: March 26, 2015                    519373
________________________________

In the Matter of WILLIAM A.
   WHIPPLE,
                    Petitioner,
      v                                     MEMORANDUM AND JUDGMENT

NEW YORK STATE AND LOCAL
   RETIREMENT SYSTEM et al.,
                    Respondents.
________________________________

Calendar Date:   February 11, 2015

Before:   McCarthy, J.P., Egan Jr., Devine and Clark, JJ.

                             __________

      Iaconis Law Office, PLLC, Chittenango (Paul F. Ioconis of
counsel), for petitioner.

      Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (William E.
Storrs of counsel), for respondents.

                             __________

McCarthy, J.P.

      Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this
Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to
review a determination of respondent Comptroller which denied
petitioner's application for accidental disability retirement
benefits.

      Petitioner, a highway maintenance worker for the Department
of Transportation, was involved in a work-related accident on
April 11, 2005 when sand was dropped on his head. In 2007,
petitioner applied for accidental disability retirement benefits,
asserting that he was permanently incapacitated as a result of
the injuries sustained in the workplace accident. Following a
                              -2-                519373

hearing, the Hearing Officer ruled that petitioner failed to
establish that the disability resulted from the accident.
Respondent Comptroller (hereinafter respondent) accepted the
findings and conclusions of the Hearing Officer and denied
petitioner's application. This CPLR article 78 proceeding
ensued.

      We confirm. There is no dispute that the April 11, 2005
incident was an accident and that petitioner is permanently
incapacitated from the performance of his duties. Nevertheless,
"[t]o be eligible for accidental disability retirement benefits,
petitioner's incapacitation must be 'the natural and proximate
result of an accident' sustained while in service" (Matter of
Shea v DiNapoli, 115 AD3d 1023, 1024 [2014], quoting Retirement
and Social Security Law § 363 [a] [1]). Where substantial
evidence supports respondent's decision, it will not be disturbed
(see Matter of Messina v New York State & Local Employees'
Retirement Sys., 102 AD3d 1068, 1068 [2013], lv denied 21 NY3d
855 [2013]).

      Here, Patrick Connolly, an orthopedic surgeon who examined
petitioner and reviewed his medical records, opined that the
accident was an aggravation of a long-standing preexisting
degenerative condition that resolved, as evidenced by his
ability to return to work. Connolly referred to the X-ray and
MRI reports that noted no acute injury from the accident but,
rather, degenerative findings that occur over time. Furthermore,
petitioner's medical records indicated, and petitioner's
testimony confirmed, that he had a history of neck pain and hand
numbness beginning in the 1980s. Under these circumstances,
Connolly presented a rational and fact-based medical opinion
based upon medical records, examination of petitioner and
petitioner's work history. Although there is medical evidence to
support a contrary conclusion, respondent's determination to deny
accidental disability benefits is supported by substantial
evidence and, therefore, it will not be disturbed (see Matter of
Ortiz v DiNapoli, 98 AD3d 1224, 1225 [2012]; Matter of Murray v
DiNapoli, 79 AD3d 1412, 1413-1414 [2010]).

      We have reviewed petitioner's remaining contentions,
including the consideration of certain witness statements
                              -3-                  519373

relating to the accident, and find them to be without merit.

     Egan Jr., Devine and Clark, JJ., concur.

      ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without
costs, and petition dismissed.

                             ENTER:

                             Robert D. Mayberger
                             Clerk of the Court