Opinion
November 26, 1990
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Kings County (G. Aronin, J.).
Ordered that the order and judgment is affirmed, with costs.
It is well settled that controversies regarding the applicability of the Workers' Compensation Law rest within the primary jurisdiction of the Workers' Compensation Board (see, Botwinick v. Ogden, 59 N.Y.2d 909; O'Rourke v. Long, 41 N.Y.2d 219; Becker v. Clarkstown Cent. School Dist., 157 A.D.2d 641), including issues as to the existence of an employer-employee relationship (see, Calhoun v. Big Apple Wrecking Corp., 162 A.D.2d 574). In the instant case, the Workers' Compensation Board determined that the plaintiff was the employee of Hoti Realty Management Company, and that he was injured during the course of his employment. The plaintiff was accordingly awarded workers' compensation benefits. This determination was final and binding (see, O'Connor v. Midiria, 55 N.Y.2d 538; Calhoun v. Big Apple Wrecking Corp., supra), and, thus, the plaintiff may not maintain the instant action against the defendant proprietor of Hoti Realty Management Company and his fellow servant (see, Workers' Compensation Law § 29), by arguing that he was in fact employed by an altogether different commercial entity.
We have reviewed the plaintiff's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit. Harwood, J.P., Balletta, Miller and O'Brien, JJ., concur.