Martinez v 1380 Hous. Dev. Fund Corp. 2024 NY Slip Op 30805(U) March 13, 2024 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 158506/2016 Judge: Mary V. Rosado 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. INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. MARY V. ROSADO PART 33M Justice ..·-----------~.... _____________ -----------~~-------------------... ·---X INDEX NO. 158506/2016 JOSHUA MARTI NEZ, MOTION DA. TE 0112612023 Plait1tiff, MOTION SEQ. NO. 006 - V -
1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORPORATlON, WINNRESIDENTIAL (NY) LLC,WFHA KING BOULEVARD l.P., INFINITI ESC PLUMBING CORP .. ERIN DECtSION + ORDER ON CONSTRUCTION ANO DEVELOPMENT CO., INC .. EASCO MOTION BOILER CORP.
Defendant. -------~- -.-~---------------------- ·-· ---------------- ---~-... ·-- ---- ----------X
The following e-frled documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 006} 1, 49, 54, 58.178, 179. 180, 181. 182, 183. 184, 18S. 186, 187. 188. 189. 190, 191. 192, 193, 194. 195. 196. 197, 198, 199, 200.201,202. 203,209,210,233,234,235,236,237.238, 244,248,249,250 251. 260.261, 262,263, 264,265,266,267,268,269.270, 271,272,273,274,275,276,291,297.298. 299. 306,312.313, 318 were read on thrs motion to/for _ _ _ _ _ _JUDC3_M ENT - SUMM~RY _ _ __
Upon the foregoing dornments, and after oral argument which took place on August 29,
2023 ,,,,,.ith Xavier Johnson, Esq. appearing for Plaintiff Joshua Martinez ("'Plaintiff'), Peter C.
Lucas, Lsq. appearing for Lkfcndant Frin Construction & Development Co., Inc. CErin"}, and
Courtney Swartz appearing for Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development
Fund Corporation (" 1380"), W FHA King Boulevard LP. {"WFI IA''), and Winnrcsidential (NY)
I J .C ("Wiilll·')(togcther lhe ii 13 80 Defendants")( 1380 Defendants and .Erin hcrcinafo.::r referred lo
collectively as •·Dcfcndanb"), the 1380 Dcfondanls' motion for an Order granting summary
jl1dgmcnl in favor of 1380 Dt:tendants, (1) dismissing Plaintiff Joshua Martinez)s ("'Plaintifr')
common law negligence claims, Labor Law § 200 clai rn und Labor Law 241 (6) claims~ (2) granting
the 1380 Dckndants summary judgment on their cwss-cluim for contractual und/or common law
indcmni lirntion ond for breach of contract as againsl Defendant Erin Constrnction Dcvdopmenl
1555061"2{116 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT P.ige 1 of 1.2 Motion No, 006
[* 1] 1 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/201.£_ NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
Co., Inc. ("Erjn"}: and (3) dismissing Lrin' ':> cross-claims for common law indemnification and
contribution against the 1380 Dcfcn-
motion for an Order granting Plaintiff summary judgment against the t 380 Ocfcnda.nls and
Dcfrrn.hmt Erin (together ,iDcfcndanls'') on Plaintifr~ Labor Law 240(1) dajm is denied.
1.- Background :md Proc.edurar Histoff
·rhc procedural and factual background of this case was recited in the Decision and. Oruer
of this Court dated March 7, 2024 (NYSCEf Doc. 3 l 8) which is hereby incorporated by reference.
For c.::onveniencc, a synopsis of the proccduml hislory relevant to this motion is provided herein.
Plairuiff c:ommenced the within Labor Law action by filing a Summons and Verified
Complaint on October 10, 2016 (NYSCEF Do~. l ). Subsequently~ Plaintiff filed an Amended
Complaint on February 12. 2018 aUeging violations of Lahor Lmv Sections 240(?), 241(6), and
200 (NYSCEf Doc. 49).
On April 24, 2018, Erin filed a. V~rified Amended Answer asserting cross-claim~ against
the 1380 Defendants, !n fini Li Esc Plumhing Corp., \Vindsor \kchanical Corporation (''Windsor''),
EASCO Boiler Corp and Erin for contractual and commo11-law indemnification and breach of
contract (N YSCLF Doc. 54). 1
On June t3, 2018, the 1380 Defend(mts filed a Vcrifil!d Answer asserting cross-claims
again~l Co-Defendants Infinity, Windsor, Erin, ar1d Easco for contractual and common-law
indemnification and contribution~ and breach of contract (:--.iYSCEF Doc. 5 8 ).
1 Plaintiff,~ daim~ were discontinued as agatnst Defendant Windsor by Stipulation of Discontinuance datt:d March l S, 2017 (NYSCFF Doc. 209), Plaintiff's cl~ims we-re siibsequenrly di~conlinucrl. as against Defcndanb [nlinity and Easco pursuant 10 Slipulatiom of Discontinuam.:t: J~tcd October 23. 2020 and April 20, 2020, respectively (NYSC:EF Doc. 210).
1 5S506J201-6 MA RT INEZ, JOSHUA vs. 13-80 HOUSING D!;;VE LO PME NT Pag~ 2 of 12 flll-otion No. 006
[* 2] 2 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
On January 26. 2023 th~ 1380 lJcfondants brought the instanl motion for an Order granting
summary judgment in fovor of the l 380 Defendants (1) dismis~ing Plaintiff's claims under Lahor
Luw 200 and 241 (6)\ as \vell as common la\,: negligence a~ against the 1380 Defonda:nts; (2)
granting the 13 80 Defendants summary judgment against De fondant Erin on their cross-claims for
contractual and/or common law indemnification and breach of c:ont.ract; and (3) dismissing
Defendant Erin's cross-claims as against the l 3~0 Defendants (l\-YSCEF Ooc. ! 78). On f ebruary
14, 2023, Plaintiff rik:J u cross-motion f
lhe Defendants on their Labor I .aw 240( 1) claims (NYSCEF Ooc. 234).
II. Discussion
Summary judgment is a drastic remedy~ tu be granted only where the moving party has
tendered sufficient evidence to demonstrate the absence of any material issues of fact.)• (Vega v
Restani Const. Corp., Ul NYJd 499~ 50312012]). The moving party's '!burden is a heavy one and
on a motion for summary judgment, facts. must be vic\ved in the light most favorable to the non-
moving party.,: (Jacobsen v New York City Jleallh and Hmps. Corp., 22 >-iY3d 824. 833 l2014]).
One~ this sho\ving is made, the hurdcn shifts to the party opposing the motion to produce
cvidcntiary pwof, in admissih le r·orm, sufficient 10 cslablish the existence or· material issues or Jic:t w'hich require a trial. (See e.g., Zuckerman v City of l\.'ew York, 49 NY2d 557, 562 [19801;
Pemherton v NeH' York City Tr. Aufh, 304 i\D2d 340, 342 [1st Dcpl 2003J). T\.lere conclusion;,;; of
law or fact are insufficient to defeat a motion for summary j udgmcnt (see Banco Popular Nonh
Am. v Vicrory "J'axi ;\4:,;;t .. Inc., 1 :--JYJd 38 l !2004]).
I The remainder ofthis page is intenrtonally le.ft hhmk]
2 Plaimifl,s Labor L.-iw 2,i l (6) claims were previously dismissed pursuant to this Court's Decision and Order on Motion Sc4urnce 5 dated March 7, 2024 (?-.1YSCH. Doc. 318). As such, the 1.38U Defendants' motion to dis.mis.~ ' !-']aintiffs Labor Law 241(6) claims. c~ denied as moot.
MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1380 I-IOUSIJIIG DEVELOPMENT 158 5-0 6./2016 P.-ge 3 of 12 Motion No. 00fi
[* 3] 3 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
A Th~ 13 80 Defendants' Motion for Summury Judgment Oismissing Plaintiffs Common Law KcQ.]luence and Labor I .aw '}00 Claim~ as Against the 1380 Dcfc:ndants 1~ Grwiled
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Martinez v 1380 Hous. Dev. Fund Corp. 2024 NY Slip Op 30805(U) March 13, 2024 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 158506/2016 Judge: Mary V. Rosado 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. INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. MARY V. ROSADO PART 33M Justice ..·-----------~.... _____________ -----------~~-------------------... ·---X INDEX NO. 158506/2016 JOSHUA MARTI NEZ, MOTION DA. TE 0112612023 Plait1tiff, MOTION SEQ. NO. 006 - V -
1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORPORATlON, WINNRESIDENTIAL (NY) LLC,WFHA KING BOULEVARD l.P., INFINITI ESC PLUMBING CORP .. ERIN DECtSION + ORDER ON CONSTRUCTION ANO DEVELOPMENT CO., INC .. EASCO MOTION BOILER CORP.
Defendant. -------~- -.-~---------------------- ·-· ---------------- ---~-... ·-- ---- ----------X
The following e-frled documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 006} 1, 49, 54, 58.178, 179. 180, 181. 182, 183. 184, 18S. 186, 187. 188. 189. 190, 191. 192, 193, 194. 195. 196. 197, 198, 199, 200.201,202. 203,209,210,233,234,235,236,237.238, 244,248,249,250 251. 260.261, 262,263, 264,265,266,267,268,269.270, 271,272,273,274,275,276,291,297.298. 299. 306,312.313, 318 were read on thrs motion to/for _ _ _ _ _ _JUDC3_M ENT - SUMM~RY _ _ __
Upon the foregoing dornments, and after oral argument which took place on August 29,
2023 ,,,,,.ith Xavier Johnson, Esq. appearing for Plaintiff Joshua Martinez ("'Plaintiff'), Peter C.
Lucas, Lsq. appearing for Lkfcndant Frin Construction & Development Co., Inc. CErin"}, and
Courtney Swartz appearing for Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development
Fund Corporation (" 1380"), W FHA King Boulevard LP. {"WFI IA''), and Winnrcsidential (NY)
I J .C ("Wiilll·')(togcther lhe ii 13 80 Defendants")( 1380 Defendants and .Erin hcrcinafo.::r referred lo
collectively as •·Dcfcndanb"), the 1380 Dcfondanls' motion for an Order granting summary
jl1dgmcnl in favor of 1380 Dt:tendants, (1) dismissing Plaintiff Joshua Martinez)s ("'Plaintifr')
common law negligence claims, Labor Law § 200 clai rn und Labor Law 241 (6) claims~ (2) granting
the 1380 Dckndants summary judgment on their cwss-cluim for contractual und/or common law
indcmni lirntion ond for breach of contract as againsl Defendant Erin Constrnction Dcvdopmenl
1555061"2{116 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT P.ige 1 of 1.2 Motion No, 006
[* 1] 1 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/201.£_ NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
Co., Inc. ("Erjn"}: and (3) dismissing Lrin' ':> cross-claims for common law indemnification and
contribution against the 1380 Dcfcn-
motion for an Order granting Plaintiff summary judgment against the t 380 Ocfcnda.nls and
Dcfrrn.hmt Erin (together ,iDcfcndanls'') on Plaintifr~ Labor Law 240(1) dajm is denied.
1.- Background :md Proc.edurar Histoff
·rhc procedural and factual background of this case was recited in the Decision and. Oruer
of this Court dated March 7, 2024 (NYSCEf Doc. 3 l 8) which is hereby incorporated by reference.
For c.::onveniencc, a synopsis of the proccduml hislory relevant to this motion is provided herein.
Plairuiff c:ommenced the within Labor Law action by filing a Summons and Verified
Complaint on October 10, 2016 (NYSCEF Do~. l ). Subsequently~ Plaintiff filed an Amended
Complaint on February 12. 2018 aUeging violations of Lahor Lmv Sections 240(?), 241(6), and
200 (NYSCEf Doc. 49).
On April 24, 2018, Erin filed a. V~rified Amended Answer asserting cross-claim~ against
the 1380 Defendants, !n fini Li Esc Plumhing Corp., \Vindsor \kchanical Corporation (''Windsor''),
EASCO Boiler Corp and Erin for contractual and commo11-law indemnification and breach of
contract (N YSCLF Doc. 54). 1
On June t3, 2018, the 1380 Defend(mts filed a Vcrifil!d Answer asserting cross-claims
again~l Co-Defendants Infinity, Windsor, Erin, ar1d Easco for contractual and common-law
indemnification and contribution~ and breach of contract (:--.iYSCEF Doc. 5 8 ).
1 Plaintiff,~ daim~ were discontinued as agatnst Defendant Windsor by Stipulation of Discontinuance datt:d March l S, 2017 (NYSCFF Doc. 209), Plaintiff's cl~ims we-re siibsequenrly di~conlinucrl. as against Defcndanb [nlinity and Easco pursuant 10 Slipulatiom of Discontinuam.:t: J~tcd October 23. 2020 and April 20, 2020, respectively (NYSC:EF Doc. 210).
1 5S506J201-6 MA RT INEZ, JOSHUA vs. 13-80 HOUSING D!;;VE LO PME NT Pag~ 2 of 12 flll-otion No. 006
[* 2] 2 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
On January 26. 2023 th~ 1380 lJcfondants brought the instanl motion for an Order granting
summary judgment in fovor of the l 380 Defendants (1) dismis~ing Plaintiff's claims under Lahor
Luw 200 and 241 (6)\ as \vell as common la\,: negligence a~ against the 1380 Defonda:nts; (2)
granting the 13 80 Defendants summary judgment against De fondant Erin on their cross-claims for
contractual and/or common law indemnification and breach of c:ont.ract; and (3) dismissing
Defendant Erin's cross-claims as against the l 3~0 Defendants (l\-YSCEF Ooc. ! 78). On f ebruary
14, 2023, Plaintiff rik:J u cross-motion f
lhe Defendants on their Labor I .aw 240( 1) claims (NYSCEF Ooc. 234).
II. Discussion
Summary judgment is a drastic remedy~ tu be granted only where the moving party has
tendered sufficient evidence to demonstrate the absence of any material issues of fact.)• (Vega v
Restani Const. Corp., Ul NYJd 499~ 50312012]). The moving party's '!burden is a heavy one and
on a motion for summary judgment, facts. must be vic\ved in the light most favorable to the non-
moving party.,: (Jacobsen v New York City Jleallh and Hmps. Corp., 22 >-iY3d 824. 833 l2014]).
One~ this sho\ving is made, the hurdcn shifts to the party opposing the motion to produce
cvidcntiary pwof, in admissih le r·orm, sufficient 10 cslablish the existence or· material issues or Jic:t w'hich require a trial. (See e.g., Zuckerman v City of l\.'ew York, 49 NY2d 557, 562 [19801;
Pemherton v NeH' York City Tr. Aufh, 304 i\D2d 340, 342 [1st Dcpl 2003J). T\.lere conclusion;,;; of
law or fact are insufficient to defeat a motion for summary j udgmcnt (see Banco Popular Nonh
Am. v Vicrory "J'axi ;\4:,;;t .. Inc., 1 :--JYJd 38 l !2004]).
I The remainder ofthis page is intenrtonally le.ft hhmk]
2 Plaimifl,s Labor L.-iw 2,i l (6) claims were previously dismissed pursuant to this Court's Decision and Order on Motion Sc4urnce 5 dated March 7, 2024 (?-.1YSCH. Doc. 318). As such, the 1.38U Defendants' motion to dis.mis.~ ' !-']aintiffs Labor Law 241(6) claims. c~ denied as moot.
MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1380 I-IOUSIJIIG DEVELOPMENT 158 5-0 6./2016 P.-ge 3 of 12 Motion No. 00fi
[* 3] 3 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
A Th~ 13 80 Defendants' Motion for Summury Judgment Oismissing Plaintiffs Common Law KcQ.]luence and Labor I .aw '}00 Claim~ as Against the 1380 Dcfc:ndants 1~ Grwiled
Section 200 of the ! ,abor Law "is a coc.ll fication of the common-law duty imposed upon an
OVl-'11Cr or general contractor to provide construction slte workers with a safe place to v.·ork.'~
(Comes v ;v, Y. .\'rare f..'lec. & Gas Corp., 82 NY2d 876, 877 [1993"1).
11te First Department has held thal to prevail on a claim pursuant to Labor Law 200 or
common ]a\V negligence a ..plaintiff must dcmomtratc that defendant had the authority to ~contro]
the activity bringing about the injury to enable it lo avoid or correct an unsafe con
Block Diamonds LLC, 24 AD3d 138, 140 [P' Dept 20051 citing (Ri:::zuto 1' LA. Wenger Contr. Co.
92 NY2d 343, 3 52 [19981). Further: i1 is well established that on a motion for :-1ummary j uJgment,
a plaintiff ahandoris (1 claim by failing to address in lts opposjtion papers the defendant's arguments
in support of its motion Sl:cking dismissal of that claim (sec Jamie Ng v A/YU hmgune J\rfed Crr.,
157 AD3d 549, 550 [ht Dept 2018] holding that "PlaintifPs fallure to oppose so much of the
motion as sought dismissal of the lack ol" inl
the claim") (see also Saidin v .?1/egron, 136 A.D3d 458,459 j 1st Dept 2016_1 holding that "'Plaintjff
abandoned his claim against the individual police o f'licer by failing to oppose that part of the
motion to dismiss the daim us against him').
Here, the 1380 Defendants contend that they are entitJed to summary judgment dismissing
l)bintifl~ _., 1abor law 200 and common law negligence claims "sine~ there is no evidence and no
issues of fact that the 13 80 Defendants did not supen:ise, direct, or control the means and methods
of the plaintiffs work. nor did the 1380 Dckndanlscause or n~ale the alleged defective condition"
(NYSCEF Doc. 180 at ii 57). Plaintiff declined to oppose the portion of 1380 Defendants' motion
~eeking dismissal of Plaintiffs claim for ~omrn0n iaw negJigence (]\YSCEF Doc. 260). Further,
1585061201-Ei MARTINEZ, JOSHUA v5. 1 J80 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Page 4of 12 Motion No. 006
[* 4] 4 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
in response to I.he 1380 lJcfr:ndants· motion, Plaintiff "agree[dJ to dis.cnnlinue the common law
and labor l ,aw § 200 claims as against the 1380 fDefendants r {NYSCFF Doc. 248 at ' 7 ). Accordingly, Plaintiffs T.abor Law 200 and common law negligence claims are dismissed
as against lhe 1380 Defendants.
13. The 1380 Defendant.'>· Morion for S urnmary Judgment Against Defendant Erin on their Cross-Claims for Contractual/Common Law lndcmnilication and Bread, of Contract Clai_m.s. is Denied
Erin failed to submit any opposition to the 1380 Defendant'. molion for summMy jll
However. the First Department has held that "where a party fails to submit opposition to a motion
for summary judgment, the c:ourt is required to "a:;;sess whether the moving party has fu.l fi.Hed i ls
burden of demonstrating that there i-; no genuine issue of material fact and its entitlement to
judgment as a matter of law" (Ramos v City ofNew York, 61 AD3d 51, 5711 st Dept 2009] quoting
VJ. Teddy Bear Co. v 1-800 BEAH.GRAA4 Co., 373 F3d 241, 244 12d Cir 2004 ]).
1. The 1380 Oef"cn Denied
11 is wdl established that a daim for common law indemnification should be di;(.:.missed
where the defendant "was not actively at fault in bringing about tht dmnagcs caused to
plaintiff... and it did not exercise actual supervision or contrnl over the damage producing \vork"
(87 Chambers, LLC v 77 Reade, LLC, 122 AD3d 540, 542 [1st Ucpt 20l4J). As slated in this
Court's Decision and Order on Motion Sequence 5 dated March 7, 2024, 'lmatcriaJ questions of
fact remain regarding whether or not Plain ti ff s injury causing work was within the scope of the
c:himney instaUation work designated to Windsor by Erin, and thus, whether Erin possessed the
requisite authority to control the injury causing activity" (NYSCEF Doc. 318 at 8). Accordingly,
the 13 80 Defendant:,; motion for srnnmary judgment against Erin on their cross-claim for common
Ja\v jndcmnificalion is denied.
1:51lS0-6!W16 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA. ,r.;, 131!0 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Page 5 of 12 Motion No. 00'6
5 of 12 [* 5] INDEX NO. 158506/2016 - I NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
-11. The l.180 Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment Agains.t Defondanl Erin on !heir Cross-Uaim for Contrn(j\1fd lndcmnification is D~nic
PreHminarHy. the l:\ 80 De f~ridan Ls' motion for summary judgment against lirin on the
1380 Defendants.• cross~claims for contractual indemnification is not opposed. Erin failed Lo
suhmit any papers in opposition to the 1J 80 Defendants: motion. and although Plaintiff submitted
papers in partial opposition to the l 3 80 Defendants' motion, Plaintiff expfa::itly slall!s that
"plaintiff takes no position concerning the contractual claims and the obligation:'i to defend and
indemnity~· (I\~YSCEf Doc. 248 at if 5).
The Court or Appeals ha..<; hel
provided that the 'intention to indemnify can be dearly implied from the language and purposes
of the entire agreement and the surrounding facts and circumstances:" (Drze.rinski v Atlantic
Scaffold & ladder Co., 70 l\Y2d 774. 777 fl 987] quoting lvfargolin v N,n,r York life Ins. Co., 32
NY2d 149, 153 f19731).
Herc, the 13 80 Defendants contend that they are entitled to contractual indemni n~ation
from Erin pursuanl lo a Standard Form of Agreement Bcnvccn Owner and Contractor (the
"Contracf} executed by Wf'IIA as Owner and Erin (l.S Contra(;lor (NYSCFF Dot. 187 at 66).
[The remainder of this pay;e is intentionally left blank]
1 5e 506-1201 S MA RT INEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1 J80 HOUSING D EVELO PME NT Page 6 of 12 Matiori No. 0 06
6 of 12 [* 6] INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
With respect to indcmnirication, Section 3.18. I of the Contrad slates that:
To the fullest extent permitted by law the Contractor !Erin Constrnction j shall indemnit\ and hold ham1!ess the Owner ! l .180 Defendants J, Architect. Architect's consultants. and agents and cmploye~s of any of them from and against claims) damages, losses. and expenses. incl u
The 1380 Defendants conlend that the indemnification prov1s10n m the Contract is
triggered because Plaintiffs incident arose out of the \vnrk that Erin subcontracted out to Windsor,
and Plaintiffs injuries \Vere due to lhc nl!gligence of'Windsor ()JYSCLJ: Doc. l 8l at 8). However,
as outlined in the Court's 11ecision and Order on Motion Sequence 5 {NYSCFF Doc. 318), material
questions of fact remain regarding v,,:bcthcr ()lainti rr s injury c.::au\ir1g work was within the scope of
the chimney installation work designated to Windsor by Lrin. Accordingly, the l.'180 Defendants
motion for summary judgment against Erin on their cross-claim for contractuaJ indemnification is
denied.
m. lhc 1380 Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment Against Erin on the 1380 pcfr:ndants' Cross-Claim ('or Rreach of Contract is Denied
It is well cst.ahlished that "[a] party moving for summary judgment on its daim for failure
to procure insurnnce meets its primo fhcie bur
rey_uiring the procurement of insurance \Vas not complied with .... The burden then shifts to the
opposing pmiy, \vho may raise an issue of fact by tcmkring the prornred insurance policy in
opposition to the motion" (Be.nedeuo v Hyau Corp., 203 AD3d 505, 506 [1st Dept 20221).
158.50612016 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs. 1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Page 7 of 12 Motion No. 006
[* 7] 7 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2616 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
Pursuant to the Section I 1.1.1 of the Contract hetween fain and the Wfl IA, Erin was
ohhg'1ted lo procure insurance for the henefi l of the 1380 Defendants (NY SCFF Doc. 187 at 5 5).
Specifically) the Contract states that:
[T]hc Contractor :'ihall pun.::hase from and maintain in a company or companie:;; lavd'ul ly authori z~d lo do business jn the _jurisdiction in whic:h th~ Proj cct is located such insurance as \Vi ll protect lhe Contractor from claims set forth below which muy arist out of or res.ult from th~ Contrw:tor's operations and completed operations under the Contract and for which the Contractor may· he legally liable, v,,.hether such operations be by the Contractor or hy a Subcontractor or by anyone directly or inJYSCEF Do~. 187 al 55).
The Certificate of Insurance issued to Erin indicates that WFHA is named as an addi1ional insured
under Lrin',; applic.abk policy (NYSCF.F Doc. 187 '1l 83). Despite this, the I 380 Defendants
contend that Erin "'ha'j failed to defend and provide additional insured coverage to the 1380
Defendants.'' in breach of the Contract (NYSCFF Doc. 18 l al 1 l ).
The First Department has held that an insmer':'i r~fu~al lo indemnify or lend~r coverage i::;
notprnofora failure lo procure insurance (sec Sicilia .., Cityof}./ew York, 127 AD3d 628 fist Dept
2015]). As the 1380 Defendants' claim for brc-ach of contract against Erin is soldy hascd on Erin's
alleged ··failurcto defend and provide addjtional insured t.:overage," lhe l .'180 Dt:f"endants have not
met their prima facie burden of estabJishing that a contract provision requiring the procurement of
insurance was not l:omplie
judgmen1 against Erin on the 13 80 De fondants cross-cJaim for breach of contract for failure to
procure insurance, is denied.
lThe remainder ,flhi.r puge i.~· inlenlionally leji blank]
158506/21]16 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs, 1380 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Page a. of 12. Motion No. 006
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C. The l ~ 80 Defendants· Motion for Summary J uJgment Dismjssing Erin's Cross•Claims for Common Law lnJemnificati_on_and ConLribution is Denied
The Fir;(;t Department has he!J th(1l a defendant is entitled to summary judgment dismissing
u cause of action for common law indcmni f1l:ation when either 1) the parly seeking indemnification
was itseff negligent, or 2} the Jc(eridant is free from negligence (Correia v Pnfes.\·ional Data
:Hgmf., Inc., 259 AD2d 60, 65 [1st Dept 1999J (holding that "the one seeking indemnity must
prove not only that it was not guilty of any negligence beyond the statutory liability but must also
prove lhat the proposed indcmnitor was guilty of .some negligcm:e that contributed to the causation
of the accident"). Further, the Court of Appeals has held that '"[a] claim for contribution exists only
when L\YO or more tort-fcasors ~hare in responsibiJity for an injury, in violation of dutjcs they
rcspcctivdy owed to the injured person"' (Smith l' Sapienza, 52 NY2d 82) 87 l 1981 J).
Herc, the ! 3 80 Defendants argue that they are entitled to dismissal of Erin's cross-claims
for common law indemnification and nmtrihution because •·[rJhcre is no active negligence on the
parl of the 1380 Defendants, land] Frin Cons.1ruction \Vas demonstrably negligent'' (KYSCEf Doc.
181 at 12).
This Court's Dccisior1 and Order on Motion Sequence 005 {N YSCEF Dol: . .'.\ t R) denied
Plaintiffs cro;(;s-molion for summary judgment against the l 380 Der·enJants for violation of their
statutory duties imposed by Lahor T,aw 240(1) on the ground that material question~ of fact remain
regarding lhe source of Plaintiffs injuries (NYSCEF Drn;. 318 at 10-12). Without a resolution of
this factual issue. the 13 80 Oe fendants cannot sufficiently demon~trate that they are free from
ncglig~nce. As such, the 1380 Defondanls motion for summary judgment dismissing Erin's cross-
dairn-:; for common law indemnification and contribution is denied.
[ The remainder (~ft his page is imemionafiy le.fi hlank]
158-50612016 MARTlriEZ, JOSHUA v5. 1J80 HOUSING DEVELOPMENi Page 9of 12 Motion No. 0(16
[* 9] 9 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
D. Plaintitrs Crn~s-Motion for an Order Granting Plaintiff Summary Judgment Against Defondanls on Plaintiffs Lab9.r_ Law 240(.lJ_Claim i~ Denied
CPLR }212(a) requires that 'iummary judgment motion~ ·'be made no later than one
hundred twenty Jays after lhe fi ljng of the note of issue, except with leave of the court on good
cause ~hown." The Court of Appeals has held tha1 ··CPLI{ 32 l 2(a) rcquin.:::s a shm,ving o!" good
cause for the delay in making I.he mo lion - a ~atisJactory explunallon for the untimeliness - rather
than '>imply pern1iuing meritorious, nonprejudiciaJ filings, however tardy ... No excuse at all. or a
p erfunclory excuse, cannot be •good ca u sc' ,. ( !Jr ill v City of New York, 2 N Y3 d 648) 65 2 l2 0 04 J). . ~ .. Here, the 120-day deadline for the filing of summary judgment motions was January 27,
2023) accruing from the lifting of the stay un the note of issue which occurred automatically on
(kwher 1, 2022, pursuant to the So-Ordered Stipulation filed August 22, 2022 (NYSCEf Doc.
175). Plaintiff did not file their cross-motion seeking summary judgment until February 14~ 2023
(NYSCEF Doc. 234}. Further. Plaintiff ha;(; foiled io provide the Court \vith any explanation for
their untimeliness in bringing his cross-motion. As Plaintiffs cross-motion for summary judgment
was not timeJy filed pursuant to CPLR 3212(a), and Plaintiff failed to provide the Court \Vith any
~xplunation for the untimeliness, Plaintiffs cross-motion for an Ord cl' Granting Plaintiff summary
judgment against Defendants on Plain ti fr s I .ahor T.aw 240( 1) claim, is denied.
Acc:ordingly, il is hereby,
ORDER.ED that Ocfcndants/Third~Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development Fund
Corporation, WFHA King Roulevard LP., and Winnresidential ()iY) LLCs motion for an Order
granting summary judgment again.st Plainti IT Joshua i\-faninez dismissing Plaintiffs common law
negligence and Labor Law~ 200 claim, is granted; and it is further
15850-6/2016 MA.RTINE:Z, JOSHUA v5, 1i.so HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Pagis 10 of 12 Motion No. 006
[* 10] 10 of 12 INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
ORDERED that Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development 1.-und
Corporation, WFHA King Boulevard LP., and Winnresidential (NY) LLC's motion for an Order
granting, summary judgment against Plaintiff Joshua Martinez dismissing PJaintiff s Labor Law
24 l (6) claim, is denied as moot; an
ORDER~D that Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development Fund
Corporation, WHL\ King Boulevard LP., and Winnre~i
grnnting summary j uJgmenl on their c:ross-clairns for contractual and,.-or common law
indi.;mnification and breach of contract as against Defendant Erin Construction Development Co.•
Inc. i~ denied; and it i~ further
ORDERED that Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing Development Fund
Corporation, \VFl·lA King Boulevard LP .• and \Vinnrcstdcntial (J\Y) Li.C's motion for summary
judgment dismissing Defendant Erin Construction Development Co., Inc.· s cross-claims for
common law indemnification and contribution, is denied~ and i L is (urther
ORDERED that Plaintiff Joshua Martinez's cross-motion for an Order granting summmy
judgment in Plaintiffs favor and against Defendants/Third-Party Plaintiffs 1380 Housing
Development Fund Corporation) WFHA King Houkvard I.. P ., Winnrcsidential (NY) LI .C) and
Erin Conslruclion Development Co. on PJaintiif s I .abor J,aw 240(1) claim, is denied~ and it is
farther
ORDERED that on or before April 2, 2024, the remaining parties are directed to submit a
proposed Stanis Conference Order to the Court via e-mail to SFC-Part33-Clcrk
the parties arc unable 10 agree to a proposed Starns Conference Order. the parties arc directed to
appear for an in-person status conference with the Coun in room 442. 60 Centre Street, on April
3, 2024 ad 9:30 a.m.~ and it is further
1 555061201 5 MA RT INEZ, JOSHUA 115. 1 380 HOUSING DEVELOPNIENT Po1ge 11 of 12 MotJon No. 006
11 of 12 [* 11] INDEX NO. 158506/2016 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 322 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/13/2024
ORDERED that within ten (10) days of entry, counsel for Movant shall senic a ~opy of
thi S, De(;ision and Or
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment accordingly.
"Ibis constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court.
3/13/2024 DATE HON. ARY V. ROSADO, J.S.C.
~ CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED NON -Fl N.A L CllS POSITION
GRANT ED □ DENIED GRANTrn IN PART □ OTHER APPL.ICb. Tl ON: SETTLE 0R □ ER SUBMIT ORDER
CHi=Cl'i; II' AP PRO PrUA Te: INC L.U D 1;:S TRANSFERIREASS5GN FIDUCIARY AP PO INT M ENT □ REfE.RENCE
15550612015 MARTINEZ, JOSHUA vs, 1380 HOUSING CIEVEL.OPMENT P.ige 12 of 12 Motion No. OOS
12 of 12 [* 12]