Social Security Administration’s disability determination not binding on a public retirement system of this State.
Fusco v Teachers' Retirement Sys. of the City of New York, 2016 NY Slip Op 00782, Appellate Division, First Department
Kimberly Fusco appealed the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System’s [System] denial of her application for accidental disability retirement benefits.., unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The Appellate Division sustained the System’s determination indicating that some creditable evidence supported its finding that:
1. Fusco was not disabled by back pain or leg pain allegedly resulting from a fall while she walked up the steps at school, while at work.
2. Fusco failed to show that any disability was the result of an accident as there a lack of evidence that her fall was caused by anything other than her own misstep while ascending the stairs to the school.
In addition, the court held that the Social Security Administration’s finding that Fusco was disabled, rendered after the System’s determination, “is not dispositive of the Medical Board's disability determination.”
This is consistent with previous court decisions holding that an employer's Section 207-a or Section 207-c decisions are not binding on PFRS; PFRS' disability rulings are not binding on the employer's Section 207-a or Section 207-c rulings and that the Workers' Compensation Board's decisions are not binding on PFRS or vice versa. See, for example, Cook v City of Utica, 88 NY2d 833 and Bett v City of Lackawanna et al.,76 NY2d 900.
This is consistent with previous court decisions holding that an employer's Section 207-a or Section 207-c decisions are not binding on PFRS; PFRS' disability rulings are not binding on the employer's Section 207-a or Section 207-c rulings and that the Workers' Compensation Board's decisions are not binding on PFRS or vice versa. See, for example, Cook v City of Utica, 88 NY2d 833 and Bett v City of Lackawanna et al.,76 NY2d 900.
The decision is posted on the Internet at:
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The Disability Benefits E-book: - This 810 page e-book focuses on disability leaves and benefits available to officers and employees in public service pursuant to Civil Service Law §§71, 72 and 73, General Municipal Law §207-a and §207-c, the Retirement and Social Security Law, the Workers’ Compensation Law, and similar provisions of law. For more information click on: http://section207.blogspot.com/
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