Matter of Brian A. Herlihy v. Thomas P. DiNapoli, as State Comptroller

In this Article 78 case, the court reviewed a decision of the State Comptroller which denied the petitioner’s application for accidental disability retirement benefits.

In 1995, petitioner started working as a police officer for the Town of Bedford, Westchester County. From 2001 to 2005, petitioner sustained three work related injuries. In 2001, while lifting a speed trailer, petitioner felt a pop in his back. In 2002, he injured his upper back and shoulder while aiding burglary arrest. In 2005, petitioner tripped on a step in the police station while trying to answer the phone and work desk duty.

Two years later, in 2007, Petitioner applied for accidental disability retirement benefits. The application was denied due to none of the incidents encompassed an accident within the meaning of Retirement and Social Security Law § 363. The court confirmed stating that the petitioner bears the burden of proving that his injuries were unintentional. This meant that the injuries were sudden and unusual and completely not linked to ordinary risks of employment.

The court confirmed the initial determination, without costs and dismissed the petition.

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