Claim of Hosey v. Central New York DDSO

Egan Jr., J. Workers’ Compensation Law § 25-a provides that “[1]lability for a claim shifts to the Special Fund where a workers’ compensation case that was fully closed is reopened more than seven years after the underlying injury occurred and more than three years after the last payment of compensation” (Matter of Guidice v Herald Co., 88 AD3d 1175, 1176 [2011] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]; see Matter of Beder v Big Apple Circus, 84 AD3d 1653, 1654 [2011]). Even where the requisite time frames have elapsed, however, Workers’ Compensation Law § 25-a applies only if the case was truly closed (see Matter of Aposporos v NYNEX, 46 AD3d 1016, 1016 [2007]; Matter of Bates v Finger Lakes Truck Rental, 41 AD3d 957, 959 [2007]). Whether a case is truly closed is a factual determination for the Board to resolve based primarily upon whether any further proceedings are contemplated with regard to issues concerning the payment of compensation (see Matter of Rathbun v D’Ella Pontiac Buick GMC, Inc., 61 AD3d 1293, 1294-1295 [2009]; Matter of Bates v Finger Lakes Truck Rental, 41 AD3d at 959). Here, claimant had been working continuously with the same restrictions since 2002, had no compensable lost time and was receiving ongoing payments for medical treatment and care. Although claimant’s treating physician indicated in 2002 that he believed claimant to have a permanent disability, the issue of permanency was not addressed and remained unresolved as of the date of the carrier’s application to shift liability pursuant to [995] Workers’ Compensation Law § 25-a. Accordingly, we find that the Board’s determination that there had not been a true closing is supported by substantial evidence. Spain, J.E, Lahtinen, Malone Jr. and Stein, JJ., concur. Ordered that the decision is affirmed, without costs.