Voluntary Payments Cited in Allowing Baseball Umpire to Reopen Claim

ALBANY, N.Y. — A New York appellate has allowed a former major league baseball umpire to reopen a 1997 workers’ compensation claim, ruling that a seven-year deadline doesn’t apply because the insurance carrier made voluntary medical payments after the claim was closed.

The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, issued its ruling Feb. 21, citing several prior decisions by New York courts.

Former major league baseball umpire Paul Runge filed to reopen his 1997 claim in April 2004, seeking authorization for reimbursement for a total left knee replacement, the court said.

Runge initially sought benefits for injuries to …