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Haggerty v. Vanbro Corp.

Citations: 229 A.D.2d 420; 645 N.Y.S.2d 96; 1996 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 7689

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; July 8, 1996; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In a personal injury case, the plaintiff appealed a judgment from the Supreme Court, Richmond County, which dismissed claims against the defendant, Vanbro Corp., for common-law negligence and violations of Labor Law sections 200 and 240(1). The appellate court affirmed the judgment, stating that the plaintiff's accident did not involve the elevation-related risks covered by Labor Law § 240(1), citing relevant case law. Additionally, there was no evidence that Vanbro Corp. had the authority to control the work, which would classify it as an agent of the owner or general contractor under the statute. The court found that the plaintiff did not prove a violation of Labor Law § 200 or establish a prima facie case for common-law negligence. Other arguments presented by the plaintiff were deemed without merit. Costs were awarded to the defendant.

Legal Issues Addressed

Awarding of Costs

Application: Costs were awarded to the defendant as a result of the plaintiff's unsuccessful appeal.

Reasoning: Costs were awarded to the defendant.

Common-Law Negligence - Prima Facie Case

Application: The court concluded that the plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case for common-law negligence against the defendant.

Reasoning: The court found that the plaintiff did not prove a violation of Labor Law § 200 or establish a prima facie case for common-law negligence.

Labor Law Section 200 - Authority to Control Work

Application: The court found no evidence that Vanbro Corp. had the authority to control the work, which would be necessary to classify it as an agent of the owner or general contractor under Labor Law § 200.

Reasoning: Additionally, there was no evidence that Vanbro Corp. had the authority to control the work, which would classify it as an agent of the owner or general contractor under the statute.

Labor Law Section 240(1) - Elevation-Related Risks

Application: The court determined that the plaintiff's accident did not involve the elevation-related risks that are protected under Labor Law § 240(1), thus affirming the judgment in favor of the defendant.

Reasoning: The appellate court affirmed the judgment, stating that the plaintiff's accident did not involve the elevation-related risks covered by Labor Law § 240(1), citing relevant case law.