Undocumented farm workers who were injured in a propane explosion and later returned home to Central America should have been afforded the opportunity to be deposed via video conference and will be allowed to testify at trial by video, an appellate court has held.
The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, said the ill-educated, illegal migrant workers, who speak little English, suffered significant medical and financial hardships as a result of the explosion. The workers have almost no chance of getting visas to re-enter the country, the panel said, but they are entitled to their day in court, even though that entails virtual appearances.
