Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1980

Lowcher v. Teachers' Retirement System

Lowcher v. Teachers' Retirement System
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York · Decided December 18, 1980 · Bloom, Markewich
79 A.D.2d 570; 434 N.Y.S.2d 231; 1980 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 13890
Lowcher v. Teachers' Retirement System

Dissenting Opinion

Markewich and Bloom, JJ.,

dissent in a memorandum by Bloom, J., as follows: This appeal seeks to review the determination of the Board of Trustees of the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System, denying disability retirement to petitioner. Petitioner argues that she was denied due process inasmuch as one of the members of the medical board was an independent expert retained by a prior medical board to examine her and report on her condition. We think the point is well taken. Even though the evidence, to support the medical board’s finding is substantial, it is well within the realm of possibility that a subconscious reaction on the part of the other members of the board to substantiate the conclusion reached by their colleague influence their determination. This, we think, *571transcended the perimeters of due process. Accordingly, we would reverse and remand the matter for reconsideration before a different medical board.

Opinion of the Court

Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County, entered on September 10, 1979, affirmed, without costs and without disbursements. Concur—Ross, J. P., Silverman and Carro, JJ.

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