Commissioner of Taxation and Finance v. Fisher

Decision Date08 July 1982
Citation453 N.Y.S.2d 103,89 A.D.2d 664
PartiesIn the Matter of the Claim of the COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE on account of Michael Ferry, Deceased, Respondent, v. Brad FISHER et al., Appellants. Workers' Compensation Board, Respondent.
CourtNew York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

Raymond C. Green, New York City (Victoria E. Manes, Croton-On-Hudson, of counsel), for appellants.

Robert Abrams, Atty. Gen. (Morris N. Lissauer, Asst. Atty. Gen., of counsel), for respondent Workers' Compensation Bd.

Before MAHONEY, P. J., and SWEENEY, CASEY, YESAWICH and LEVINE, JJ.

MEMORANDUM DECISION.

Appeal from a decision of the Workers' Compensation Board, filed September 30, 1981.

Decedent was employed as a potato picker on the appellant-employer's farm. On reporting for work, he was advised that his wages were based on a certain amount per bag of potatoes picked. He was given picking baskets and directed to a row by a field worker. After working about half an hour to 45 minutes and picking three or four bags of potatoes, he became ill. He then handed his filled bags to a co-worker and went to lie down to rest under a bus on the farm premises. The bus was unexpectedly started and in attempting to crawl out decedent was run over by the right rear tires resulting in his death. The board reversed the Administrative Law Judge and found that decedent was not feeling well and was going over to the bus to rest up and that under the presumptions of section 21 of the Workers' Compensation Law he had sustained a causally related accident and death. This appeal ensued.

It is argued that decedent abandoned his employment and, therefore, the accident did not arise out of and in the course of his employment. Whether a certain activity is within the course of employment is a question of fact for the board's resolution and the board's decision will only be disturbed if it is unsupported by substantial evidence (Matter of Marchand v. Sperry Gyroscope Co., 19 A.D.2d 687, 241 N.Y.S.2d 441). The departure by an employee from the strict line of his duties does not conclusively establish that he was acting entirely outside of his employment at the time (Matter of Corrina v. DeBarbieri, 247 N.Y. 357, 160 N.E. 397). Upon consideration of the entire record, we are of the view that the board's determination is supported by substantial evidence and, therefore, the decision should be affirmed.

Decision affirmed, with costs to the Workers' Compensation Board.

...

To continue reading

Request your trial
4 cases
  • Liss v. Trans Auto Systems, Inc.
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • August 1, 1985
    ...654, 424 N.E.2d 541; Matter of Young v. Henry M. Young, Inc., 56 A.D.2d 941, 942, 392 N.Y.S.2d 502; Matter of Comr. of Taxation & Fin. v. Fisher, 89 A.D.2d 664, 453 N.Y.S.2d 103; Orzechowski v. Warner-Lambert Co., 92 A.D.2d 110, 460 N.Y.S.2d 64; Matter of Hartham v. Geo A. Fuller Co., et al......
  • Richardson v. Fiedler Roofing, Inc.
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • July 11, 1985
    ... ... disturbed when supported by substantial evidence (Matter of Commissioner of Taxation & Fin. v. Fisher, 89 A.D.2d 664, 453 N.Y.S.2d 103). The ... ...
  • Mendez v. City of New York
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • October 19, 1989
    ...a finding that she intended to return to her post after determining the source of the noise (see, Matter of Commissioner of Taxation and Fin. v. Fisher, 89 A.D.2d 664, 453 N.Y.S.2d 103). Moreover, because an effort to flee a building is a reasonable reaction to a nearby explosion, the Board......
  • Estate of Mesi v. Ro-Siu Const., Inc., RO-SIU
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • February 13, 1986
    ... ... only if it is unsupported by substantial evidence (Matter of Commissioner of Taxation & Fin. v. Fisher, 89 A.D.2d 664, 665, 453 N.Y.S.2d 103), the ... ...

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT