The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York has dismissed an appeal in the personal injury case Klobusnik v. Greenpac Mill, LLC. This decision, made on June 26, 2026, affects the arbitration process related to the case. The dismissal came after both parties agreed to discontinue the appeal, which could impact how personal injury claims are handled in similar situations.

The case, filed under docket number 499 CA 25-01347, involved James Klobusnik as the plaintiff and Greenpac Mill, LLC as the defendant. The appeal was originally made against an order from the Supreme Court of Niagara County, which appointed an arbitrator to oversee the dispute. The decision to dismiss the appeal was made unanimously by the court, indicating a clear agreement among the judges involved.

Background

James Klobusnik, the plaintiff in this case, filed a personal injury lawsuit against Greenpac Mill, LLC, a company that operates in the manufacturing sector. The dispute arose from an incident that allegedly caused Klobusnik harm while he was engaged in activities related to the company's operations. The specifics of the incident and the nature of the injuries were not detailed in the court filings.

The case reached the Appellate Division after Klobusnik's legal team sought to challenge the lower court's decision to appoint an arbitrator. The Supreme Court of Niagara County, presided over by Judge Frank Caruso, had determined that arbitration was the appropriate method to resolve the dispute between Klobusnik and Greenpac Mill. This decision was contested by the defendant, leading to the appeal.

The Ruling

On June 26, 2026, the Appellate Division ruled to dismiss the appeal, stating, "It is hereby ORDERED that said appeal is unanimously dismissed without costs upon stipulation." The judges involved in this decision included Bannister, Montour, Greenwood, Delconte, and Hannah. Their ruling effectively ends the appeal process and allows the arbitration to proceed as originally intended by the lower court.

The dismissal of the appeal means that the parties will not pursue further legal arguments in the appellate court. Instead, they will return to the arbitration process to resolve the personal injury claims made by Klobusnik against Greenpac Mill. The court's decision reflects a consensus among the judges that the appeal was no longer necessary, especially given the stipulation of discontinuance filed by both parties.

Impact

The dismissal of the appeal in Klobusnik v. Greenpac Mill has significant implications for both parties involved. For Klobusnik, this means that his case will move forward in arbitration, where he will have the opportunity to present his claims and seek compensation for his injuries. For Greenpac Mill, the dismissal allows them to prepare for the arbitration process without the uncertainty of an ongoing appeal.

This ruling may also influence how similar personal injury cases are handled in the future. By reaffirming the validity of arbitration as a means to resolve disputes, the court's decision could encourage other parties in similar situations to consider arbitration as a viable option. The outcome of this arbitration could set a precedent for how personal injury claims are addressed in the manufacturing sector and beyond.

What's Next

With the appeal dismissed, the case will proceed to arbitration as ordered by the lower court. There are no indications in the court filings that further appeals are anticipated. Details regarding the timeline for the arbitration process were not available in the court filing. As the arbitration moves forward, both parties will prepare to present their cases and seek a resolution to the dispute.