The opinion
Coscia v City of New York
2024 NY Slip Op 31848(U)
May 29, 2024
Supreme Court, New York County
Docket Number: Index No. 154508/2020
Judge: Sabrina Kraus
Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip
Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York
State and local government sources, including the New
York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service.
This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official
publication.
[FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/29/2024 10: 03 AM] INDEX NO. 154508/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 169 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/29/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
NEW YORK COUNTY
PRESENT: HON. SABRINA KRAUS PART 57M
Justice
----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------X INDEX NO. 154508/2020
THOMAS J. COSCIA,
MOTION DATE 12/15/2023
Plaintiff,
MOTION SEQ. NO. 001 002 003
- V -
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK STATE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION d/b/a EMPIRE STATE
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ("ESDC"), SEVENTH DECISION + ORDER ON
REGIMENT ARMORY CONSERVANCY, INC.,SANFORD L. MOTION
SMITH & ASSOCIATES LTD.,
Defendant.
------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------X
SANFORD L. SMITH & ASSOCIATES LTD. Third-Party
Index No. 595280/2021
Plaintiff,
-against-
SELECT EXPOSITION SERVICES, SELECT CONTRACTING,
INC.
Defendant.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 001) 47, 48, 49, 50, 51,
52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61, 62, 63,64, 65, 66,67,68,69, 70, 71, 72,112,137,138,140,144,
147, 150, 153, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164
were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,
78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89,113,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,124,125,
126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 141, 145, 148, 151, 154, 156, 157
were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 003) 90, 91, 92, 93, 94,
95, 96, 97, 98, 99,100,101,102,103,104,105, 106,107,108,109, 110, 111,114,133,134,135,136,
142, 143, 146, 149, 152, 155, 158, 165, 166
were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT
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BACKGROUND
This is an action to recover damages for personal injuries allegedly sustained by Plaintiff
while on the job at 643 Park Avenue in Manhattan (the "Premises"), when he was struck by
walls that fell from a forklift which he was helping to unload for the preparation of an art exhibit.
Defendant New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development
Corporation ("ESDC") is the owner of the Premises. Defendant Seventh Regiment Armory
Conservancy, Inc. ("Armory") leased the premises. Defendant/Third Party Plaintiff Sanford L.
Smith & Associates LTD. ("Sanford") was the general contractor for the work being performed
at the Premises, who hired third party defendant Select Exposition Services, plaintiff's employer,
as a subcontractor to erect exhibits at the Premises.
Plaintiff asserts causes of action for negligence, and for violations of Labor Law §§ 200,
240( 1), and 241 (6) against defendants. In his Verified Bill of Particulars, he alleges injuries to
his left ankle/foot, left knee, left hip, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder. He also
alleges head injuries, including post-concussion syndrome, loss of consciousness, punctate
wound, abrasions, dizziness, headaches, loss of balance, and phonophobia which result in
"significant dysfunctions affecting his attention, concentration, memory, verbal and language
skills, as well as impairment in executive function and sensory motor tasks."
PENDING MOTIONS
On December 6, 2023, third party defendants Select Exposition Services and Select
Contracting, Inc. (collectively, "Select") moved for an order pursuant to CPLR § 3212 granting
them summary judgment dismissing the third-party complaint and claims and cross claims
against them (Mot. Seq. 1).
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On December 8, 2023, Plaintiff moved for an order pursuant to CPLR § 3212 granting
him summary judgment on the issue ofliability on his Labor Law § 240(1) claim (Mot. Seq. 2).
On December 8, 2023, defendants ESDC and Armory (collectively, "Armory
Defendants") moved for an order pursuant to CPLR § 3212 granting them summary judgment
dismissing plaintiff's negligence and Labor Law § 200 claims and all cross claims against them
and granting summary judgment on their cross claims for common-law and contractual
indemnification against Sanford. (Mot. Seq. 3)
The motions are consolidated herein and granted to the extent set forth below.
ALLEGED FACTS
Plaintiff, who is five foot six inches tall, testified that at the time of the accident, he was
employed by Select as an exposition worker. On November 11, 2019, plaintiff, along with
around 20-25 other Select employees, was working at the "drill hall" on the premises helping to
assemble an art exhibit. Plaintiff was tasked with helping to unload the trucks, move the
materials from the unloaded truck and stand the walls to build the exhibition. The exhibit walls
were delivered to the premises stacked on pallets, which would be placed on wooden dollies. The
pallets contained 20-25 walls, weighing approximately 100 pounds each, around 2000-2500
pounds total. They were four feet wide by 10 feet long, about 3 inches thick each. The stacks of
walls would usually be secured by metal straps, but he was unsure whether the one that fell on
him was secured by straps. At the time of plaintiff's accident, he was gathering materials when
somebody said "Look out. Heads up" as a stack of walls fell off a forklift "like an avalanche,"
"coming off one after another" and hit plaintiff, injuring him. He guessed that the stack was
lifted around 10-15 feet in the air before it hit him but did not see it.
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Non-party witness Michael Cody was working for Select at the time of the accident as a
teamster, operating the "high-low" or forklift. He approximated that each stack of walls
contained 10-15 walls, had a height of around five to six feet and weighed over 1000 pounds
total, usually banded to the pallet beneath them. He testified that he was helping to remove walls
from the truck when the accident occurred. A pallet fell off the Hi-Low and hit plaintiff from a
height of at least four feet off the ground. He did not know whether the load had straps on it but
did not observe any around it after the fact, and guessed there were not any because "it would
have stopped them from falling." He guessed that "maybe half' of the walls fell on plaintiff.
John Ingigneri, a foreman for Select, testified that he was at the jobsite on the day of the
accident, though he did not witness it. He guessed that each wall in a stack weighed 30 pounds,
with 25 walls in a stack.
The director of operations for Armory, Mark Von Braunsberg testified on behalf of the
Armory Defendants. He stated that Armory simply rents the premises, does not provide
personnel or equipment to the facility renter. The renter handles their own traffic plan including
controlling access and deliveries of the truck. Nor does the Armory supply any laborers for the
construction partition walls. The Armory did not have any employees in the Drill Hall while the
unloading work was taking place, other than Von Braunsberg who was present solely to
introduce himself.
DISCUSSION
Summary Judgment Standard
To prevail on a motion for summary judgment, the movant must establish, prima facie,
its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, providing sufficient evidence demonstrating the
absence of any triable issues of fact. CPLR § 3212(b); Matter of New York City Asbestos Litig.,
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33 NY3d 20, 25-26 (2019). If this burden is met, the opponent must offer evidence in admissible
form demonstrating the existence of factual issues requiring a trial; "conclusions, expressions of
hope, or unsubstantiated allegations or assertions are insufficient." Justinian Capital SPC v
WestLB AG, 28 NY3d 160, 168 (2016), quoting Gilbert Frank Corp. v Fed. Ins. Co., 70 NY2d
966, 967 (1988). In deciding the motion, the evidence must be viewed in the "light most
favorable to the opponent of the motion and [the court] must give that party the benefit of every
favorable inference." 0 'Brien v Port Auth. ofNew York and New Jersey, 29 NY3d 27, 37 (2017).
Plaintitf's Negligence and Labor Law § 200 claims
Armory Defendants seek dismissal of plaintiff's Labor Law § 200 and common law
negligence claims, contending that it only provided event space, and lacked supervision or
control of plaintiff's work, and had no notice of any unsafe conduct. They note that plaintiff does
not allege any defective premises condition.
Sanford opposes, arguing that Armory Defendants fail to meet their prima facie burden.
It contends that there is at minimum a question of fact as to whether plaintiff's injuries arose out
of Armory's duties and obligations, in light of paragraph 5(h)(i) of the contract which they argue
evinces that Armory maintained significant control and direction of the unloading work.
Plaintiff does not oppose dismissal of his Labor Law § 200 and common law negligence
claims.
The duty to provide a safe worksite imposed upon owners, general contractor and their
agents is based upon supervision and control. "The purpose of the [Labor Law] is to protect
workers by placing the 'ultimate responsibility' for worksite safety on the owner and general
contractor instead of the workers themselves." Ross v Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 NY2d
494,500 (1993); Rocovich v Consolidated Edison Co., 78 NY2d 509,513 (1991). Labor Law§
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200 is the codification of the common-law duty of owners, general contractors and their agents to
protect the health and safety "of all persons employed therein or lawfully frequenting such
places." Allen v Cloutier Constr. Corp., 44 NY2d 290,299 (1978). An implicit precondition of
this duty "is that the party charged with that responsibility has the authority to control the activity
bringing about the injury." Russin v Picciano & Son, 54 NY2d 311, 317 (1981 ).
Labor Law § 200 applies where workers are injured as a result of dangerous or defective
premises conditions at a worksite or where a worker is injured due to the way the work is
performed. When a premises condition is at issue, the owner or general contractor may be held
liable for a violation of the statute if they created the condition that caused the accident or had
actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. See Alonzo v Safe Harbors of the
Hudson Housing Dev. Fund Co., Inc., 104 AD3d 446 (1st Dept 2013); Singh v Black Diamonds
LLC, 24 AD3d 138 (1st Dept 2005). When the means and manner of the work are at issue, "a
plaintiff must show that the owner or agent have the authority to control the activity bringing
about the injury to enable it to avoid or correct any unsafe condition." Lemanche v MIP One
Wall St. Acquisition, LLC, 190 AD3d 422 (1st Dept 2021); see Rizzuto v L.A. Wegner Contr. Co.,
91 NY2d 343 (1998).
Here, there is no allegation of a dangerous or defective premises condition. Additionally,
it is uncontroverted that Armory lacked authority and did not in fact supervise or control
plaintiffs work. Sanford's argument that paragraph 5(h)(i) of the event user agreement raises an
issue of fact as to Armory's control of loading/unloading activity is unavailing, as the provision
does not set out supervisory responsibility for Armory, but merely sets conditions for Sanford to
follow when loading and unloading.
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Absent evidence of supervisory control over plaintiffs work, there is no basis to find
Armory Defendants negligent for plaintiffs injuries. Thus, plaintiffs causes of actions pursuant
to Labor Law § 200 and common law negligence are dismissed as against Armory Defendants.
Plaintiff's Labor Law § 240(1) claim
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment on his Labor Law§ 240(1) claim, arguing that
plaintiffs accident was clearly gravity related, and defendants' failure to secure the stack of
walls or provide overhead protections are both clear violations of the statute. He cites the expert
affidavit of Certified Safety Manager Kathleen Hopkins, who opines that defendants' failure to
safely secure the stack with hoists or to ensure that the stack of walls were adequately secured to
the forklift with stays, blocks, braces, irons, ropes, or other devices was a failure in their duty to
protect plaintiff from gravity related risks and caused plaintiffs injuries, in violation of the
statute.
Sanford opposes, arguing that there are triable issues of fact, as plaintiff does not cite
testimony definitively indicating that the walls were unsecured, or that plaintiff was not provided
with overhead protection. It contends that there is an issue of fact as to whether the accident was
caused by a significant height differential, given testimony that the stack was only four feet off
the ground when it fell. It argues that Labor Law § 240(1) is inapplicable, as loading/unloading
activities, such as plaintiff was engaged in at the time of the accident, do not present elevation
related risks covered by the statute. It contends plaintiffs expert affidavit is invalid, as it makes
conclusory assertions, is based solely on plaintiffs account, and because the expert did not
personally inspect the accident site or equipment.
Armory Defendants adopt all of Sanford's arguments in opposition.
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In reply, Plaintiff notes that even if the walls were secured, it was obviously insufficient
given the fact that they fell on him. He argues that even if the stack was only four feet off the
ground, combined with the fact that it was four feet tall, and weighed at least 65 pounds, it was
enough to create an elevation related risk.
In relevant part, Labor Law§ 240(1) provides that contractors and owners, and their
agents who erect a building or structure shall furnish or erect "scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders,
slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so
constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed." It is well
settled that "[t]he extraordinary protections of Labor Law§ 240(1) extend only to a narrow class
of special hazards, and do 'not encompass any and all perils that may be connected in some
tangential way with the effects of gravity."' Nieves v Five Baro Air Conditioning & Refrig.
Corp., 93 NY2d 914, 915-916 (1999), quoting Ross v Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 NY2d
494, 501 (1993); see Misseritti v Mark IV Constr. Co. Inc., 86 NY2d 487,491 (1995).
"Rather, liability is contingent upon the existence of a hazard contemplated in section
240( 1) and the failure to use, or the inadequacy of, a safety device of the kind enumerated
therein." Narducci v Manhasset Bay Associates, 96 NY2d 259,267 (2001). Moreover, Labor
Law§ 240(1) only applies to "exceptionally dangerous conditions posed by elevation
differentials at work site" rather than the usual and ordinary hazards of
construction. See Misseritti, 86 NY2d at 491.
Defendants cite authority that the loading and unloading of a truck does not often present
an elevation hazard covered by Labor Law§ 240(1). See Landa v City of New York, 17 AD3d
180 (1st Dept 2005). Here however, the object that caused plaintiff's accident fell while being
hoisted on a forklift, not off a truck, which is activity that has been found to be covered by the
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statute. See Hensel v Aviator FSC, Inc., 198 AD3d 884 (2d Dept 2021); Brown v VJB Const.
Corp., 50 AD3d 373 (1st Dept 2008).
Whether or not the stack was secured is immaterial, as it is uncontroverted that the stack
fell on plaintiff and "the inadequacy or failure of a device meant to secure an object is sufficient
to impose liability on a defendant under section 240 (1)." Medouze v Plaza Constr. LLC, 199
AD3d 465 (1st Dept 2021); see Mayorga v 75 Plaza LLC, 191 AD3d 606 (1st Dept 2021).
For liability to be imposed under Labor Law§ 240(1), the elevation differential must be
"physically significant." Nicometi v Vineyards of Fredonia, LLC, 25 NY3d 90 (2015); citing
Wilenski v 334 E. 92nd Haus. Dev. Fund Corp., 18 NY3d 1 (2011); Runner v New York Stock
Exch., Inc., 13 NY3d 599 (2009). Whether a differential is "physically significant" is a
consideration not just of height, but of the weight of the object and the amount of force it was
capable of generating. Runner, 13 NY3d at 605.
Here, there are significant discrepancies in the testimony as to the weight and quantity of
the walls, in each stack, and their height above the ground at the time of the accident. Affording
defendants the benefit of every favorable inference, the lowest estimates in the record would put
each wall at a weight of around 30 pounds, at a height of four feet off the ground stacked about
four feet high, with seven or eight walls falling on plaintiff. As plaintiff is five foot six inches
tall, that would constitute a load of over 200 pounds falling several feet onto plaintiff.
In Hensel, supra, the Second Department found that a 200-pound board, falling from a
forklift raised to a height of eight or nine feet onto the plaintiff constituted a hazard contemplated
under Labor Law§ 240(1). As this is similar to the lowest estimates provided here, plaintiff has
met his prima facie burden in support of summary judgment on his Labor Law § 240( 1) claim,
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and defendants fail to properly assert the existence of material issues of fact that would preclude
summary judgment on the issue of liability.
Given this outcome, it is unnecessary to consider the sufficiency of plaintiff's expert.
Armory Defendants' Cross Claims Against Sanford
Armory Defendants seek summary judgment on their contractual and common law
indemnification cross claims against Sanford, arguing that Sanford had full responsibility for the
premises, and thus plaintiff's work on it. They also contend that Sanford breached the insurance
procurement provision of the event user agreement ("the contract") by failing to provide
coverage to Armory.
In opposition, Sanford argues that the contract is unenforceable under General
Obligations Law §5-321, as the "arising from or relating to" language is overbroad, and therefore
void. They contend that there remains a question of fact as to whether plaintiff's accident arose
out of its duties and obligations. They contend that Armory Defendants fail to show damages due
to their failure to procure insurance.
General Obligations Law §5-321 Provides that:
Every covenant, agreement or understanding in or in connection with or collateral to any
lease of real property exempting the lessor from liability for damages for injuries to
person or property caused by or resulting from the negligence of the lessor, his agents,
servants or employees, in the operation or maintenance of the demised premises or the
real property containing the demised premises shall be deemed to be void as against
public policy and wholly unenforceable.
Here, the subject indemnification clause, contained in Section 5(l)(ii) of the contract,
provides that Sanford is required to indemnify Armory Defendants:
... from and against any and all claims, lawsuits, actions of any type, demands, damages,
judgments or liabilities (including liabilities for penalties and attorneys' fees and
disbursements) of any nature whatsoever, actual or threatened, resulting from or arising
out of this Agreement (other than the Armory's negligence or willful misconduct) ...
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As the indemnification provision clearly and specifically excludes negligent or willful
conduct by Armory, the provision is not void pursuant to General Obligations Law §5-321.
The court has found that Armory Defendants were not negligent. Further, it is clear that
plaintiffs accident arose out of the agreement, as it occurred during the construction for the
event that was the subject of the contract. See Giangarra v Pav-Lak Contr., Inc., 55 AD3d 869
(2008). Thus, Armory defendants are entitled to a conditional order of indemnification against
Sanford.
Armory defendants request for summary judgment on its claim for breach of contract for
failure to procure insurance is premature in the absence of identifiable damages. Nenadovic v
P.T Tenants Corp., 94 AD3d 534 (1st Dept 2012); see Inchaustegui v 666 5th Ave. Ltd P 'ship,
96 NY2d 111 (2001).
Sanford's Cross Claims against Armory Defendants
Armory defendants seek dismissal of Sanford's cross claims for contractual and common
law indemnification, arguing that it was not negligent, and there is no contract provision creating
an indemnity obligation for them towards Sanford.
In opposition, Sanford argues that there remains a question of fact as to whether Armory
was negligent.
Absent opposition, Sanford's cross claim for contractual indemnification is dismissed.
Additionally, as the court finds that Armory defendants were not negligent, Sanford's cross
claim for common law indemnification is dismissed.
Sanford's Claims against Select
Select seeks dismissal of Sanford's third-party claims against it. It argues that its
contractual indemnification and breach of contract for failure to procure insurance claims should
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be dismissed absent any contract between them. It also argues that its common law
indemnification and contribution claims should be dismissed based on § 11 of the Workers
Compensation Law, arguing that plaintiff does not assert a grave injury, including traumatic
brain injury. It cites the evaluations of multiple IME doctors, who found that plaintiff suffered no
permanent cognitive impairment, and that plaintiff is capable of returning to work.
Sanford opposes dismissal of its common law claims, arguing that it is an issue of fact
whether plaintiff's head injuries constitute grave injuries.
Absent opposition, Sanford's third-party claims for contractual indemnification and
breach of contract for failure to procure insurance are dismissed.
An employer's liability for an on-the-job injury is generally limited to workers'
compensation benefits, but when an employee suffers a 'grave injury' the employer also
may be liable to third parties for indemnification or contribution Under Workers'
Compensation Law§ 11, the definition of "grave injury" includes "an acquired injury to
the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in permanent total disability,"
meaning, the injured worker is no longer employable "in any capacity"
Alulema v ZEV Electrical Corp., 168 AD3d 469 (2019). "[E]vidence that a plaintiff
suffered from certain brain conditions, such as depression and post-concussion syndrome, does
not constitute grave injury absent proof that the individual was rendered unemployable in any
capacity." Id., citing Purcell v Visiting Nurses Found. Inc., 127 AD3d 572, 574 (1st Dept. 2015);
Aramburu v Midtown W B, LLC, 126 AD3d 498,501 (1st Dept. 2015); Anton v West Manor
Constr. Corp., 100 AD3d 523, 524 (1st Dept. 2012).
Here, while plaintiff asserts multiple head injuries resulting from his accident, Select
meets its prima facie burden in support of summary judgment by attaching IME reports
indicating that none of his head injuries are permanent in nature or will prevent him from
working "in any capacity." In opposition, Sanford fails to submit evidence that would raise a
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triable issue of fact as to whether plaintiff suffered a grave injury as defined by the statute. Thus,
Sanford's common law claims are barred by§ 11 of the Workers Compensation Law and are
dismissed.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, it is hereby:
ORDERED, that third-party defendants Select Exposition Services and Select
Contracting, Inc.'s motion for summary judgment (mot. seq. 1) is granted and all claims against
it are dismissed; and it is further
ORDERED, that Plaintiffs motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability
on his Labor Law§ 240(1) claim (mot. seq. 2) is granted; and it is further
ORDERED defendants ESDC and Armory's motion for partial summary judgment (mot.
seq. 3) is granted, to the extent that plaintiffs Labor Law§ 200 and common law negligence
claims and Sanford's cross claims are dismissed against them, and they are entitled to a
conditional order of contractual indemnification against Sanford, and is otherwise denied; and it
is further
ORDERED that, within 20 days from entry of this order, defendants shall serve a copy of
this order with notice of entry on the Clerk of the General Clerk's Office (60 Centre Street, Room
119); and it is further
ORDERED that such service upon the General Clerk's Office shall be made in accordance
with the procedures set forth in the Protocol on Courthouse and County Clerk Procedures for
Electronically Filed Cases (accessible at the "E-Filing" page on the court's website)].
ORDERED that such service upon the Clerk shall be made in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the Protocol on Courthouse and County Clerk Procedures for Electronically Filed
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Cases (accessible at the "E-Filing" page on the court's website at the address
www.nycourts.gov/supctmanh);]; and it is further
ORDERED that counsel appear for a virtual pre-trial conference on July 31, 2024 at
11 :00 am at which time a final trial date will be set.
This constitutes the decision and order of this court.
5/29/2024
DATE SABRINA KRAUS, J.S.C.
~
CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
GRANTED □ DENIED GRANTED IN PART □ OTHER
APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT □ REFERENCE
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