X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo PC, New York City (Brian J. Shoot of counsel), for appellant. Stewart, Greenblatt, Manning & Baez, Syosset (Thomas A. Lumpkin of counsel), for ABA Transportation Holding Company, respondent. Letitia James, Attorney General, New York City (Steven Segall of counsel), for Workers’ Compensation Board, respondent. Appeal from a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board, filed April 16, 2018, which ruled, among other things, that Joanne Fuller-Astarita failed to comply with 12 NYCRR 300.13 (b) and denied review of a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge. On July 5, 2016, Joanne Fuller-Astarita, a bus driver’s assistant, was walking near Railroad Avenue in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County when she was hit by a bus owned by her employer, sustaining injuries to her back, pelvis and abdomen. Although Fuller-Astarita did not file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits regarding this incident, her employer did and, by decision filed July 11, 2017, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (hereinafter WCLJ) determined that she had, in fact, sustained work-related injuries to her back, pelvis and abdomen,[1] prompting her counsel to submit an RB-89 application for review by the Workers’ Compensation Board. In response to question 12 on the application regarding the “Basis of Appeal,” however, Fuller-Astarita’s counsel wrote, “Please see attached legal brief.” Thereafter, by decision filed April 16, 2018, the Board, among other things, denied the application for review, finding that the application was not filled out completely as required by 12 NYCRR 300.13 (b) (1). Fuller-Astarita’s subsequent application for reconsideration and/or full Board review was denied. Fuller-Astarita appeals from the April 16, 2018 Board decision. Contrary to Fuller-Astarita’s contention, the Board’s decision denying the application for review did not address the merits of the WCLJ’s decision, but was limited to her failure to follow the Board’s procedural rules and regulations. As such, Fuller-Astarita’s arguments in her appellate brief regarding the underlying merits of the WCLJ’s decision are not properly before us (see generally Matter of Brasher v. Sam Dell’s Dodge Corp., 159 AD3d 1234, 1235 [2018], appeal dismissed 32 NY3d 1012 [2018]; Matter of Scalo v. C.D. Perry & Sons, 129 AD3d 1431, 1432 [2015]; Matter of Bolden [Commissioner of Labor], 65 AD3d 727, 728 [2009]). Moreover, having failed to raise any issue in her appellate brief regarding the Board’s denial of the application for review, she has abandoned any issue with regard thereto (see Matter of Lashlee v. Pepsi-Cola Newburgh Bottling, 301 AD2d 879, 880 [2003]; Matter of Gardner v. Structure Tone of NY, 272 AD2d 794, 795 [2000]). Fuller-Astarita’s belated attempt to raise such issue for the first time in her reply brief is not properly before us (see Matter of Jay’s Distribs., Inc. v. Boone, 148 AD3d 1237, 1241 [2017], lv denied 29 NY3d 918 [2017]; Giblin v. Pine Ridge Log Homes, Inc., 42 AD3d 705, 706 [2007]). Lynch, Clark, Mulvey and Pritzker, JJ., concur. ORDERED that the decision is affirmed, without costs.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More

Truly exceptional Bergen County New Jersey Law Firm is growing and seeks strong plaintiff's personal injury Attorney with 5-7 years plaintif...


Apply Now ›

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Shipman is seeking an associate to join our Labor & Employment practice in our Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford office. Candidates shou...


Apply Now ›
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›