Opinion
2014-07-24
In the Matter of the Claim of Joseph MAIORANO, Appellant, v. ALMAN PLUMBING et al., Respondents. Workers' Compensation Board, Respondent.
Law Offices of Joseph Romano, Yonkers (Anthony Brooks–Morgese of counsel), for appellant. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York City (Iris A. Steel of counsel), for Workers' Compensation Board, respondent.
Law Offices of Joseph Romano, Yonkers (Anthony Brooks–Morgese of counsel), for appellant. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York City (Iris A. Steel of counsel), for Workers' Compensation Board, respondent.
Before: STEIN, J.P., McCARTHY, EGAN JR., LYNCH and CLARK, JJ.
CLARK, J.
Appeal from a decision of the Workers' Compensation Board, filed October 30, 2012, which, among other things, denied claimant's request for a change of venue.
Claimant applied for workers' compensation benefits, alleging that he was injured during the course of his employment as a plumber in New York City. Although claimant resides in Brooklyn, he requested that hearings on his claim be held in the City of White Plains, Westchester County on the ground that it was “the most convenient location.” A Workers' Compensation Law Judge denied the request. Upon review, the Workers' Compensation Board affirmed and assessed costs of $500 against claimant's counsel pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law § 114–a (3)(ii). Claimant now appeals.
We affirm. The Chair of the Board has controlling authority to designate the location of hearings ( seeWorkers' Compensation Law § 141; 12 NYCRR 300.7[b]; Matter of Toledo v. Administration for Children Servs., 112 A.D.3d 1209, 1210, 979 N.Y.S.2d 165 [2013] ). The Chair issued a policy indicating that hearings are generally to be scheduled “in the district where the claimant resides.” Here, inasmuch as claimant failed to articulate a reasonable basis justifying a change of venue outside of his residential district, we will not disturb the Board's decision ( see Matter of Toledo v. Administration for Children Servs., 112 A.D.3d at 1210, 979 N.Y.S.2d 165). Regarding the assessment of costs, we have upheld the Board's imposition of a penalty pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law § 114–a (3)(ii) when, as here, substantial evidence supports its determination that a change of venue request was made absent a reasonable basis ( see id.; 112 A.D.3d at 1210, 979 N.Y.S.2d 165;Matter of Wolfe v. New York City Dept. of Corr., 112 A.D.3d 1197, 1198, 977 N.Y.S.2d 795 [2013];Matter of Banton v. New York City Dept. of Corr., 112 A.D.3d 1195, 1196–1197, 977 N.Y.S.2d 793 [2013] ). Claimant's remaining arguments, to the extent that they are properly before us, have been considered and found to be without merit.
ORDERED that the decision is affirmed, without costs. STEIN, J.P., McCARTHY, EGAN JR. and LYNCH, JJ., concur.