Velez v LSG 105 W. 28th, LLC 2023 NY Slip Op 34537(U) December 27, 2023 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 159202/2018 Judge: Paul A. Goetz 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. 159202/2018 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 148 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/27/2023
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY PRESENT: HON. PAUL A. GOETZ PART 47 Justice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 159202/2018 JOSE LUIS VELEZ, 09/26/2022, Plaintiff, 09/30/2022, MOTION DATE 10/19/2022 -v- MOTION SEQ. NO. 003 004 005 LSG 105 WEST 28TH, LLC,FLINTLOCK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC, DECISION + ORDER ON Defendants. MOTION
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LSG 105 WEST 28TH, LLC, FLINTLOCK CONSTRUCTION Third-Party SERVICES, LLC Index No. 595788/2021
Plaintiffs,
-against-
CONSTRUCTION & REALTY SAFETY GROUP, INC.
Defendant. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 003) 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 126, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 143, 144 were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT(AFTER JOINDER .
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 004) 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 127, 134, 135, 136 were read on this motion to/for SUMMARY JUDGMENT(AFTER JOINDER .
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 005) 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 123, 124, 125, 128, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142 were read on this motion to/for JUDGMENT - SUMMARY .
In this Labor Law action, plaintiff, Jose Luis Velez, seeks damages for personal injuries
he allegedly sustained on May 11, 2017 when he fell from a DOKA form while working at a
construction site located at 105 West 28th Street (the “Premises”). Plaintiff alleges that
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defendants’ violations of the industrial code and failure to provide him with the necessary safety
equipment caused his accident.
At the time of the accident, the Premises was owned by defendant/third-party plaintiff
LSG 105 West 28th, LLC (“LSG”), who hired defendant/third-party plaintiff Flintlock
Construction Services LLC (“Flintlock”) as the construction manager to build a new building
(the “Project”) at the Premises. Flintlock hired Plaintiff’s employer, non-party Sky Materials
Corp. (“Sky”) as a subcontractor to perform form and concrete work on the Project. Third-party
defendant Construction & Realty Safety Group, Inc. (“CRSG”) was the Project’s site safety
manager.
In motion sequence 003, CRSG moves pursuant to CPLR § 3212 for summary judgment
dismissing all claims, crossclaims, and third-party claims asserted against it.1
In motion sequence 004, plaintiff moves for summary judgment pursuant to CPLR §
3212 in his favor as to liability on his Labor Law §§ 240 and 241 claims as against LSG and
Flintlock.
In motion sequence 005, LSG and Flintlock (the “Moving Defendants”) move for
summary judgment pursuant to CPLR § 3212 dismissing the complaint, all crossclaims and
counterclaims, and granting summary judgment in their favor on their third-party contractual
indemnification, common law indemnification, and contribution claims as against CRSG.
1 CRSG argues in its memorandum of law (NYSCEF Doc. No. 118) that it is not liable under Labor Law §§ 240, 241 (6), 200 or common law negligence. There are no claims against CRSG alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 240, 241 (6), 200 or common law negligence. CRSG’s arguments on these points will be considered as they apply to the third-party claims asserted against it. 159202/2018 VELEZ, JOSE LUIS vs. LSG 105 WEST 28TH, LLC Page 2 of 28 Motion No. 003 004 005
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BACKGROUND
Plaintiff’s Deposition Testimony
Plaintiff appeared for deposition on June 9, 2021 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 118). At the time
of the accident, he was employed by Sky, a construction company erecting a superstructure at the
Premises (Plaintiff tr at 24, 30-31, 44). Plaintiff testified that Flintlock was the contractor for the
Project (id. at 29). Plaintiff never spoke with anyone from Flintlock and had never heard of LSG
or CRSG (id. at 29, 30, 92-93).
Plaintiff began working on the Project as a laborer and later as a carpenter (id. at 33). His
foreman was “Elias Riera,” a Sky employee, who was present at the worksite “all the time” (id.
at 34). Plaintiff testified that his carpentry work included installing DOKA forms, the forms that
are installed prior to pouring concrete to hold the concrete in place. Co-worker, “Jorge Saula”
taught plaintiff how to install the DOKA forms (id. at 55, 57-58). Plaintiff further testified that
Riera was the only person who instructed plaintiff as to carpentry work (id. at 34-36).
Plaintiff testified that the DOKA forms ranged in height and that workers did not use
ladders to work on DOKA forms that were only nine feet high (id. at 279-280). He further
testified that it was customary for workers to climb the nine-foot high DOKA forms, which were
made of metal supports and rebar, to reach the top of the forms (id. at 279, 281). Sky employees
stood on the metal supports and rebar to work on the DOKA forms, and plaintiff learned this
technique from other Sky employees (id. at 166-168). Plaintiff testified that “[t]he foreman
[Riera] always saw us do it that way. There wasn’t another way. The foreman always wanted us
to hurry and that was the way” (id. at 165). Plaintiff testified that Sky had ladders at the worksite
(id. at 87-89), but “no one ever uses a ladder at that height of nine feet” (id. at 280).
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Plaintiff further testified that there were harnesses available at the worksite, located in
the “shanty” and “laying all over the construction” (id. at 85-88). Plaintiff had worn a harness
while doing other DOKA form work, working at heights over six feet, and while working on the
exterior of the building on the Premises (id. at 85). When plaintiff wore a harness (while doing
form work), it would be anchored to rods and safety lines in the ceiling (id. at 86). Plaintiff
could not recall whether he ever wore a harness while doing formwork on the fourth floor of the
building (id. at 87).
On the date of the accident, plaintiff was performing formwork with Saula on the fourth
floor of the building (id. at 58, 71, 77). Plaintiff was climbing a nine-foot-high DOKA form and
installing rods into hooks and holes on the form (id. at 267-268, 272-273). Immediately prior to
the accident, plaintiff had installed a rod at a higher level of the DOKA form and was climbing
down to continue installation on a lower level of the form (id. at 268). Plaintiff saw that the rod
he had previously installed was not well connected and climbed back up to the higher level to fix
the issue (id. at 268).
The accident occurred as Plaintiff was standing on the metal supports of the DOKA form
approximately five feet from the ground (id. at 150-151). He was holding a “pick” tool in his
right hand and holding on to the DOKA form with his left hand for support (id. at 161-162).
Plaintiff used the pick to hammer the rod into the form when the rod “kicked back” and hit him
in the face (id. at 177-178). Plaintiff felt his foot slip and he fell backwards off the DOKA form
(id. at 177-178). He slipped and fell “instantly” after the rod hit his face (id. at 184).
Plaintiff testified that working on the DOKA forms required lubricating them with oil (id.
at 88). He testified that on the date of the accident he had lubricated the DOKA form where the
accident occurred (id. at 158). He further testified that he saw oil on the floor in the area where
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he was working prior to the accident (id. at 169-170). Prior to the accident, plaintiff did not
observe any oil or debris on any of the metal supports or rebar that he was using to climb to the
top of the DOKA form (id. at 281-282).
Deposition Testimony of Andrew Stetler, Project Manager for Flintlock
Andrew Stetler appeared for deposition on October 26, 2021 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 121).
At the time of the accident, he was employed by Flintlock as the project manager for the Project
(Stetler tr at 8-9). LSG was the owner of the Premises, and it hired Flintlock as the construction
manager for the Project (id. at 10, 12). The Project entailed the new construction of a building to
be used as a hotel (id. at 9). DOKA forms were used in the construction of the walls and
columns on all the floors of the building (id. at 48).
Stetler testified that Flintlock’s responsibilities included hiring subcontractors and putting
together a health and safety plan, and that Flintlock had overall authority over the trades working
on the Project (id. at 13-14, 19). Flintlock was also responsible for making sure that contractors
followed safety procedures (id. at 40-41). Stetler was Flintlock’s senior representative at the
worksite (id. at 11). He was at the worksite approximately two to three days a week, while two
Flintlock employees, a superintendent and assistant superintendent, were on the worksite daily
(id. at 52).
Flintlock hired Sky as a concrete superstructure contractor on the Project, and Sky was
responsible for erecting the DOKA forms (id. at 29, 48). Stetler testified that there were issues
with Sky not following general safety procedures (id. at 33-34). He further testified that he
received reports to this effect from his superintendent, “Lawrence Smith,” and from site safety
management (id. at 33-34). Stetler testified that it was the subcontractors’ responsibility to
address any safety deficiencies in their work (id. at 86). He further testified that Sky’s foreman,
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“Kevin Griffin,” was responsible for ensuring that Sky’s workers had ladders to perform their
work (id. at 54, 99).
At his deposition, Stetler was questioned as to his understanding of DOKA form work.
He testified that DOKA form work required the use of stepladders and that DOKA forms are not
designed for climbing (id. at 57-59). He further testified that, based on his OSHA and DOB
training, it would be unsafe for Sky workers to use a DOKA form as a platform while attaching
rebar to the top of the form (id. at 58-59, 88-89, 95).
Stetler testified that Sky was required to use stepladders for DOKA form work, and that
he observed Sky having stepladders at the worksite for that purpose (id. at 57-58, 97). He
further testified that plaintiff “should know better” than to install rebar into the DOKA form
while on the form, and that plaintiff should know “he’s supposed to be using a stepladder” (id. at
96).
Stetler testified that LSG hired CRSG as the site safety manager for the Project and that
Tim McNamara was CSRG’s site safety manager (id. at 23-25). McNamara’s duties included
walking around the worksite on a daily basis, generating a daily safety report, and rectifying any
safety issues (id. at 26-27). CRSG would notify Flintlock if Sky was not following general
safety procedures and Flintlock would notify Sky, via email, to correct any unsafe conditions (id.
at 39, 43-44). It was not CRSG’s responsibility to “physically correct” any unsafe conditions (id.
at 87).
Stetler was informed of the accident by his superintendent, and Stetler prepared an
incident report of plaintiff’s accident (id. at 22-27, 49, 64).
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Deposition Testimony of Frank Marino, vice president of CRSG
Frank Marino appeared for deposition on January 19, 2022 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 99). At
the time of the accident, he was a vice president of CRSG (Marino tr at 9). Marino testified that
Flintlock was the general contractor on the Project (id. at 14) and that Sky was a concrete
subcontractor (id. at 39). CRSG is a safety consulting company that was hired by “Lightstone
Group” to be the site safety manager for the Project (id. at 10, 12-13). CRSG did not hire any
subcontractors for the Project (id. at 35).
Timothy McNamara was the CRSG site safety manager assigned to the Project on the
date of the accident (id. at 19). McNamara’s duties as site safety manager included observing the
workers at the Project (id. at 79). If a site safety manager observed a worker performing tasks in
an unsafe manner, the safety manager would speak to the worker and “discuss with a competent
person, their foreman typically” to correct what the worker was doing (id. at 79 82). Marino
testified that “the competent person is the person who’s actually responsible for the safety of the
worker” (id. at 80). He further testified that Elias Riera was one of Sky’s two assigned
“competent persons” (id. at 81).
Marino further testified that McNamara’s duties extended to fall protection. If
McNamara saw a worker engaged in unsafe work, such as failing to tie off their harness, he
would speak to the worker and “share the information with the entire team, including the client”
(id. at 135-136). McNamara did not have the authority to stop work on the Project (id. at 82).
Marino testified that CRSG did not inspect the DOKA forms. Typically, the DOKA
forms would be inspected by an engineer hired by Sky (id. at 59).
Finally, Marino testified that he was not familiar with plaintiff’s accident (id. at 35).
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Deposition Testimony of Timothy McNamara, non-party witness
Timothy McNamara, appeared for deposition on July 27, 2022 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 122).
At the time of the accident, he was employed by CRSG as the site safety manager over the
Project (id. at 12, 15-17). He testified that Flintlock was the general contractor on the Project
and that Sky was performing excavation and superstructure work (id. at 36-37).
McNamara responsibilities included observing the worksite for any safety issues (id. at
12-13). If he noticed as safety issue, he would notify the superintendent, who would in turn
notify the foreman (id. at 12-13). McNamara was present on the worksite for the entire workday,
at least five days a week (id. at 18).
McNamara testified that Sky was responsible for their “own safety” and that he was not
Sky’s designated “competent person” (id. at 40-41). Sky had its own foreman and/or safety
personnel, who were responsible for their employee’s safety (id. at 42). Once McNamara
notified one of Sky’s “competent persons” of a safety issue, it was upon Sky to address the issue
(id. at 91).
McNamara testified that on multiple occasions he had seen Sky workers climbing on the
DOKA forms to reach different heights and that he did not recall seeing them using ladders (id.
at 77-78). He further testified that climbing was a part of formwork and that workers would
wrap themselves in “gooseneck chains” (clipped to the form) to prevent falls. McNamara
testified that climbing on DOKA forms without some form of tethering was a safe practice (id. at
78-81).
Affidavit of Jorge Saula, dated September 24, 2022
Jorge Saula signed an affidavit (NYSCEF Doc. No. 119), wherein he states that he was
employed by Sky as plaintiff’s co-worker on the Project (Saula affidavit at ¶ 4, 16). He further
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states that Riera was his foreman and that the Sky workers only took orders from Riera (id. at ¶
4, 7).
Saula states that Riera told the Sky workers to climb the DOKA forms in order to reach
the required work height (id. at ¶ 11). He further states that reaching the top work area of a nine-
foot high DOKA form required standing on the DOKA form, approximately five feet above the
floor (id. at ¶ 12). He further states that “[b]ecause we were not working over six feet above the
deck… our foreman did not instruct us to use our personal protection equipment” (id. at ¶ 9).
Saula states that on the date of the accident he and plaintiff were installing DOKA forms
on the fourth floor of the building at the worksite (id. at ¶ 18). Saula was on the floor, cutting
rods approximately ten feet away from the plaintiff, while plaintiff was climbing the DOKA
form (id. at ¶ 19, 20). Saula states that workers were not given ladders to work on the DOKA
forms located on the fourth floor and that climbing DOKA forms was “the way we did it at this
project” (id. at ¶ 14).
Immediately prior to the accident, Saula saw plaintiff standing on the DOKA form,
approximately five feet above the ground (id. at ¶ 21). Saula did not witness the accident but
heard a loud noise and turned to see that plaintiff had fallen from the DOKA form (id. at ¶ 22).
Affidavit of William Hickman, Senior Property Manager for The Light Stone Group, dated October 28, 2021
William Hickman signed an affidavit (NYSCEF Doc. No. 120), wherein he states that he
is a senior property manager for the Light Stone Group LLC (“Light Stone”) (Hickman affidavit
at ¶ 2). Light Stone is the managing agent for the Premises, which is owned by LSG (id. at ¶ 5).
He states that LSG retained Flintlock as the construction manager over the Project
pursuant to an agreement dated March 30, 2016 (the “Construction Management Agreement”)
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(id. at ¶ 7). Hickman further states that CRSG was the site safety manager at the time of the
accident (id. at ¶ 17).
As construction manager, Flintlock contracted with contractors (id. at ¶ 13). LSG did not
select contractors, determine the scope of the construction work, nor supervise any of the work
being done on the Project at the time of the accident (id. at ¶ 15) and he has no personal
knowledge of plaintiff’s accident (id. at ¶ 9).
DISCUSSION
“It is well settled that ‘the proponent of a summary judgment motion must make a prima
facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, tendering sufficient evidence to
demonstrate the absence of any material issues of fact’” (Pullman v Silverman, 28 NY3d 1060,
1062 [2016], quoting Alvarez v Prospect Hosp., 68 NY2d 320, 324 [1986]). “Failure to make
such showing requires denial of the motion, regardless of the sufficiency of the opposing papers”
(Winegrad v New York Univ. Med. Ctr., 64 NY2d 851, 853 [1985]). “Once such a prima facie
showing has been made, the burden shifts to the party opposing the motion to produce
evidentiary proof in admissible form sufficient to raise material issues of fact which require a
trial of the action” (Cabrera v Rodriguez, 72 AD3d 553, 553-54 [1st Dept 2010]). “The court’s
function on a motion for summary judgment is merely to determine if any triable issues exist, not
to determine the merits of any such issues or to assess credibility” (Meridian Mgt. Corp. v Cristi
Cleaning Serv. Corp., 70 AD3d 508, 510-11 [1st Dept 2010] [internal citations omitted]). The
evidence presented in a summary judgment motion must be examined “in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party” (Schmidt v One New York Plaza Co. LLC, 153 AD3d 427,
428 [1st Dept 2017], quoting Ortiz v Varsity Holdings, LLC, 18 NY3d 335, 339 [2011]) and bare
allegations or conclusory assertions are insufficient to create genuine issues of fact (Rotuba
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Extruders v Ceppos, 46 NY2d 223, 231 [1978]). If there is any doubt as to the existence of a
triable fact, the motion for summary judgment must be denied (id.).
CRSG’s late reply papers (motion sequence 003)
By stipulation dated October 21, 2022 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 126), the parties and third
parties agreed to a motion schedule requiring that all reply papers (on all of the motion
sequences) would be served and filed on or before November 25, 2022. CRSG did not
electronically filed its reply papers to motion sequence 003 until November 29, 2022 (NYSCEF
Doc. No. 143). On November 30, 2022, LSG electronically filed a letter, addressed to CRSG’s
attorneys, indicating that LSG was rejecting CRSG’s reply papers as untimely (NYSCEF Doc.
No. 144).
“Parties are afforded great latitude in charting their procedural course through the courts,
by stipulation or otherwise” (See Katz v Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman,
L.L.P., 277 AD2d 70, 73 [1st Dept 2000] [internal citation omitted]; see also Powell v Kasper, 84
AD3d 915, 917 [2nd Dept 2011] [summary judgment motion filed beyond deadline set forth in
parties' stipulation denied as untimely]).
Here, CRSG did not electronically file its reply papers until November 29, 2022 (see 22
NYCRR §202.5-b (f) (2) (ii)). As such, CRSG’s untimely reply papers on motion sequence 003
will not be considered.
Plaintiff’s Labor Law § 240 (1) claim against LSG (motion sequence 004, 005)
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment as to liability on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claims
against LSG. Moving Defendants move for summary judgment dismissing the claim.
Labor Law § 240 (1), also known as the Scaffold Law provides, in relevant part:
All contractors and owners and their agents, except owners of one and two-family dwellings who contract for but do not direct or control the work, in the erection,
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demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the performance of such labor, 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.
“[T]he Labor Law imposes absolute liability on owners and general contractors for
injuries that are proximately caused by the failure to provide appropriate safety devices to
workers subject to gravity-related risks” (Ladd v Thor 680 Madison Ave LLC, 212 AD3d 107,
111 [1st Dept 2022]). To prevail on a Labor Law § 240 (1) claim, plaintiff must show that the
statute was violated, and that this violation was a proximate cause of his injuries (See Blake v
Neighborhood Hous. Servs. of N.Y. City, 1 NY3d 280, 287 [2003]). “[T]he single decisive
question is whether plaintiff’s injuries were the direct consequence of a failure to provide
adequate protection against a risk arising from a physically significant elevation differential”
(Runner v New York Stock Exch., Inc., 13 NY3d 599, 603 [2009]).
The legislative intent behind the statute is to place “ultimate responsibility for safety
practices at building construction jobs where such responsibility actually belongs, on the owner
and general contractor, instead of on workers, who are scarcely in a position to protect
themselves from accident” (Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, 65 NY2d 513, 520
[1985], rearg denied 65 NY2d 1054 [1985] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]).
Therefore, the statute should be liberally construed to achieve the purpose for which it was
framed (Rocovich v Consolidated Edison Co., 78 NY2d 509, 513 [1991]).
Plaintiff argues that he is entitled to summary judgment as the accident occurred while he
was working at an elevated height and that the accident was due to defendants’ failure to provide
him with appropriate safety devices. Specifically, plaintiff was working on a DOKA form,
approximately five feet from the ground, when he was struck in the face causing him to fall from
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the form. Plaintiff argues that the defendants’ failure to provide him with a ladder and/or harness
was the proximate cause of the accident.
Moving Defendants argue that plaintiff’s claim should be dismissed as plaintiff’s choice
to climb the DOKA form without proper safety equipment (i.e. a harness and/or ladder) was the
sole proximate cause of his accident. They argue that ladders and harnesses were made available
to plaintiff, but that he instead chose to climb the DOKA form without safety equipment.
Moving Defendants further argue that no one ordered plaintiff to climb the DOKA form. They
argue that there are issues of fact as to whether plaintiff was provided with a harness and/or
ladder and whether said safety equipment would have prevented the accident.
Initially, there is no dispute that LSG was the owner of the Premises at the time of the
accident and is therefore a proper Labor Law defendant. Further, there is no dispute that plaintiff
fell from a DOKA form while working approximately 5 feet above the ground.
Saula, the Sky employee who worked with plaintiff on the date of the accident, states that
Sky’s foreman told Sky workers to climb the DOKA forms in order to reach the required work
heights (Saula affidavit at ¶ 11). He also states that the foreman did not instruct the workers to
wear protective equipment, nor were the workers provided with ladders to work on the fourth
floor DOKA form (id. at ¶ 9, 14). Saula’s statements are consistent with plaintiff’s testimony
that the foreman had “always seen us [Sky workers] do it that way [climbing DOKA forms]”
(Plaintiff tr at 165-168). His statements are also consistent with plaintiff’s testimony that the
fourth floor DOKA form was nine feet high and that Sky workers did not use ladders for forms
of that height (id. at 71, 161-162, 272-273, 276-277, 280).
Consequently, the record establishes that plaintiff was subject to an elevation related risk
and that his foreman directed him to climb the subject DOKA form (See e.g. Caba v 587-91
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Third Owner, LLC, 213 AD3d 520, 521 [1st Dept 2023] [“Because plaintiff’s foreman directed
him to work on an elevated work platform… defendants were required to provide plaintiff with
an adequate safety device”]; Auriemma v Biltmore Theatre, LLC, 82 AD3d 1, 9 [1st Dept 2011]
[plaintiff entitled to summary judgment on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim where his foreman
directed him to descend from one elevation to another, resulting in plaintiff’s injury]; Harris v
City of New York, 83 AD3d 104, 110 [1st Dept 2011] [plaintiff entitled to summary judgment on
his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim where foreman directed him to stand on top of the piece of wood
that shattered beneath him due to a falling slab]); Caban v Plaza Constr. Corp., 153 AD3d 488,
490 [2nd Dept 2017] [plaintiff met prima facie burden on Labor Law §240 (1) where his foreman
directed him to work on a scaffold without assistance] [citations omitted]).
As such, plaintiff has met his prima facie burden on his section 240 (1) claim against
LSG.
Further, Moving Defendants have failed to establish prima facie that no one directed
plaintiff to climb the DOKA form, nor have they created an issue of fact on this point. Moving
Defendants have not submitted any evidence to rebut plaintiff’s testimony that the foreman
routinely saw Sky workers climbing DOKA forms nor Saula’s statement that the foreman
directed Sky workers to climb DOKA forms.
Further, Moving Defendants have failed to raise an issue of fact as to whether plaintiff
was a recalcitrant worker.
To raise a triable issue of fact as to whether a plaintiff was the sole proximate cause of an accident, the defendant must produce evidence that adequate safety devices were available, that the plaintiff knew that they were available and was expected to use them, and that the plaintiff unreasonably chose not to do so, causing the injury sustained.
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(Nacewicz v Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, 105 AD3d 402, 402-403 [1st Dept
2013]).
Recalcitrance “is not established merely by showing that the worker failed to comply
with an employer’s instruction to avoid using unsafe equipment or engaging in unsafe practices,
or to use a particular safety device.” (Powers v Del Zotto & Son Bldrs., 266 AD2d 668, 669 [3rd
Dept 1999]). Rather, the defendant must show that plaintiff deliberately refused to obey a direct
and immediate instruction to use an available safety device (See Vitucci v Durst Pyramid LLC,
205 AD3d 441, 444 [1st Dept 2022], citing Saavedra v 89 Park Ave. LLC, 143 AD3d 615 [1st
Dept 2016]; see also Santo v Scro, 43 AD3d 897, 898-899 [2nd Dept 2007]).
Saula’s affidavit and plaintiff’s testimony establish that plaintiff was not directed to wear
a harness and/or use a ladder while working on the fourth floor DOKA form. They also establish
that safety equipment was not made available to plaintiff immediately prior to working on the
fourth floor DOKA form. Saula states in his affidavit that the foreman did not instruct Sky
workers to use personal protection equipment when working on the fourth floor DOKA forms,
nor were the workers provided with ladders to work on the forms (Saula Affidavit at ¶ 9, 14).
This is consistent with plaintiff’s testimony that Sky workers did not use ladders to work on
nine-foot-high DOKA forms, such as the fourth floor DOKA forms, and that the foreman
routinely saw Sky workers climbing such forms (Plaintiff tr at 183, 279-281).
Further, there is nothing from the record to suggest that anyone directed plaintiff to use a
harness and/or ladder prior to his work on the fourth floor DOKA form. Multiple witnesses
testified that it was unsafe to work on a DOKA form without a ladder, however, none of them
testified that anyone immediately directed plaintiff to use a ladder or harness before working on
the fourth floor DOKA form.
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Accordingly, since Moving Defendants have failed to establish that plaintiff was
recalcitrant and/or the sole proximate cause of the accident, plaintiff is entitled to summary
judgment as to liability on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim against LSG.
Plaintiff’s Labor Law § 240 (1) claim against Flintlock (motion sequence 004, 005)
Plaintiff also moves for summary judgment as to liability on his Labor Law § 240 (1)
claims against Flintlock.
Plaintiff argues that Flintlock is LSG’s statutory agent based upon the agreement between
LSG and Flintlock (NYSEF Doc. No. 117) (the “LSG-Flintlock Agreement”), and as such
Flintlock is a proper Labor Law defendant (see Lind v Tishman Constr. Corp. of N.Y., 180 AD3d
505, 505 [1st Dept 2020]). Neither Flintlock nor LSG oppose plaintiff’s arguments, and the
record sufficiently supports plaintiff’s unopposed argument.
Accordingly, since Flintlock is a proper Labor Law defendant, and for the reasons stated
above, plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment as to liability on his Labor Law § 240 (1) claim
against Flintlock.
Plaintiff’s Labor Law § 241 (6) claims against LSG and Flintlock (motion sequence 004, 005)
Plaintiff moves for summary judgment in his favor on his Labor Law § 241 (6) claims
against LSG and Flintlock, and Moving Defendants move for summary judgment dismissing the
claims.
Labor Law §241 (6) provides, in relevant part, as follows:
All contractors and owners and their agents, . . . when constructing or demolishing buildings or doing any excavation in connection therewith, shall comply with the following requirements:
...
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6. All areas in which construction, excavation or demolition work is being performed shall be so constructed, shored, equipped, guarded, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety to the persons employed therein or lawfully frequenting such places. The commissioner may make rules to carry into effect the provisions of this subdivision, and the owners and contractors and their agents for such work, except owners of one and two-family dwellings who contract for but do not direct or control the work, shall comply therewith.
“Labor Law § 241(6) imposes a non-delegable duty on owners and contractors to provide
reasonable and adequate protection and safety for workers and to comply with the specific safety
rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of the Department of Labor” (Toussaint
v Port Auth. of N.Y. & N.J., 38 NY3d 89, 93 [2022] [internal quotations marks and citations
omitted]). The non-delegable duty is absolute and “imposes liability upon a general contractor
for the negligence of a subcontractor, even in the absence of control or supervision of the
worksite” (Rizzuto v L.A. Wenger Contr. Co., 91 NY2d 343, 348-349 [1998], citing Ross v
Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 NY2d 494, 502 [1993] [emphasis omitted]).
“To establish liability under Labor Law § 241 (6), a plaintiff must demonstrate that his or
her injuries were proximately caused by a violation of an Industrial Code provision ‘mandating
compliance with concrete specifications’” (Ennis v Noble Constr. Group, LLC, 207 AD3d 703,
704 [2nd Dept 2022], quoting Ross v Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 NY2d at 505).
Plaintiff only opposes dismissal of his Labor Law § 241 (6) claim based upon Moving
Defendants’ alleged violation of 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d), and only moves for relief with respect to
the same. As such, plaintiff’s Labor Law § 241 (6) claims based upon any other statutory
violations are deemed abandoned, and are dismissed (see Kempisty v. 246 Spring St., LLC, 92
AD3d 474, 475 [1st Dept 2012] [“Where a defendant so moves, it is appropriate to find that a
plaintiff who fails to respond to allegations that a certain section is inapplicable or was not
violated be deemed to abandon reliance on that particular Industrial Code section.”]).
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Plaintiff’s remaining Labor Law § 241 (6) claim is based upon Moving Defendants’
alleged violation 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d).
Industrial Code 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d)
Industrial Code 12 NYCRR 23-1.7(d) is sufficiently specific to form a basis for liability
pursuant to Labor Law § 241(6) (See Potenzo v City of New York, 189 AD3d 705, 705 [1st Dept
2020]) and reads as follows:
Protection from general hazards
(d) Slipping hazards. Employers shall not suffer or permit any employee to use a floor, passageway, walkway, scaffold, platform or other elevated working surface which is in a slippery condition. Ice, snow, water, grease and any other foreign substance which may cause slippery footing shall be removed, sanded or covered to provide safe footing.
Plaintiff argues that he is entitled to summary judgment in his favor on his Labor
Law § 241 (6) claims because defendants’ violation of section 23-1.7(d) was a proximate
cause of his accident. Plaintiff argues that at the time of the accident there was oil on the
DOKA form, creating a slipping hazard that was a proximate cause of the accident.
Moving Defendants argue that plaintiff’s claims should be dismissed as there is
no basis to conclude that plaintiff slipped upon any material on the DOKA form. They
argue that the evidence instead establishes that plaintiff was struck in the face while
climbing the DOKA form, which caused him to fall.
Here, Moving Defendants have established prima facie that section 23-1.7 (d) is
not applicable to the circumstances of plaintiff’s accident. Further, plaintiff has failed to
establish prima facie that a violation of section 23-1.7 (d) was a proximate cause of his
accident and/or created an issue of fact on this point. There is nothing from the record to
indicate that plaintiff’s accident occurred due to a slippery condition caused by oil.
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The record establishes that plaintiff’s accident occurred when a rod hit him in the
face, causing him to fall off the DOKA form (Plaintiff tr at 150-151). Plaintiff testified
that he fell “instantly” after the rod hit him in the face (id. at 184). Further, although
plaintiff testified that he had lubricated the DOKA form prior to working on it, he did not
recall seeing any oil on the metal supports that he used to climb the form (Plaintiff tr at
158, 281-282). In addition, there is nothing from the record to suggest that plaintiff
slipped on oil immediately prior to falling from the DOKA form.
Accordingly, Moving Defendants are entitled to summary judgment dismissing
plaintiff’s Labor Law § 241 (6) claims in their entirety, and plaintiff is not entitled to
summary judgment in his favor on this claim.
Plaintiff’s Labor Law § 200 and common law negligence claims against LSG and Flintlock (motion sequence 005)
Moving Defendants move to dismiss plaintiff’s Labor Law § 200 and common
law negligence claims.
Labor Law § 200 (1) states, in pertinent part, as follows:
All places to which this chapter applies shall be so constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, health and safety of all persons employed therein or lawfully frequenting such places. All machinery, equipment, and devices in such places shall be so placed, operated, guarded, and lighted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to all such persons.
Labor Law § 200 “codifies an owner’s or general contractor’s common-law duties of
care, there are ‘two broad categories’ of personal injury claims: ‘those arising from an alleged
defect or dangerous condition existing on the premises and those arising from the manner in
which the work was performed.’” (Rosa v 47 E. 34th St. (NY), L.P., 208 AD3d 1075, 1081 [1st
Dept 2022], quoting Cappabianca v Skanska USA Bldg. Inc., 99 AD3d 139, 144 [1st Dept
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2012]). Neither common law negligence nor Labor Law § 200 makes an owner or contractor
vicariously liable for the negligence of a downstream subcontractor (See DeMaria v RBNB 20
Owner, LLC, 129 AD3d 623, 625 [1st Dept 2015], citing Burkoski v Structure Tone, Inc., 40
AD3d 378, 381 [1st Dept 2007]).
Where an existing defect or dangerous condition caused the injury, liability attaches if the owner or general contractor created the condition or had actual or constructive notice of it. Where the injury was caused by the manner and means [means and methods] of the work, including the equipment used, the owner or general contractor is liable if it actually exercised supervisory control over the injury-producing work.
(Cappabianca v Skanska USA Bldg. Inc., 99 AD3d at 144 [internal citations omitted]; see also
Toussaint v Port Auth. of N.Y. & NY, 38 NY3d at 94 [to recover under Labor Law § 200 “a
plaintiff must show that an owner or general contractor exercised some supervisory control over
the operation”]).
Moving Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment dismissing these
claims as they did not supervise nor control plaintiff’s work leading to the accident.
Plaintiff argues in opposition that there are issues of fact as to whether Moving
Defendants lacked actual or constructive notice of unsafe work practices and whether they
controlled the means and methods of the injury producing work. Plaintiff argues that the Moving
Defendants knew or should have known that Sky’s employees were climbing DOKA forms and
that Flintlock’s onsite staff was ultimately responsible for ensuring that Sky followed correct
safety procedures.
In addition, plaintiff argues that oil on the DOKA forms constituted a dangerous site
condition and was a proximate cause of his accident. He argues that there is an issue of fact as to
whether Moving Defendants had actual or constructive knowledge of the oil condition.
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Here, plaintiff’s accident arose from the means and methods of his work, i.e. climbing the
DOKA form in order to reach an elevated height. As previously stated, the accident did not arise
from plaintiff slipping on an oily surface, nor is there any basis to suggest that the accident arose
from any inherent defect.
Neither LSG nor Flintlock supervised nor controlled the injury producing work. Plaintiff
testified that his foreman (a Sky employee) was the only person who instructed him on his
carpentry work, and that Saula (a Sky employee) taught plaintiff how to work on the DOKA
forms (Plaintiff tr at 34 36, 55, 57 58). In addition, Stetler (the project manager for Flintlock)
testified that Sky was responsible for its employee’s safety (Statler tr at 55, 86, 99). There is
nothing in the record to indicate that any entity other than Sky exercised any supervision or
control over plaintiff’s work on the DOKA form.
Accordingly, Moving Defendants are entitled to summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s
Labor Law § 200 and common law negligence claims, and plaintiff is not entitled to summary
judgment in his favor on said claims.
LSG’s contractual indemnification claim against CRSG (motion sequence 003, 005)
Moving Defendants move for summary judgment in favor of LSG on its third-party
contractual indemnification claim against CRSG. CRSG moves for summary judgment
dismissing the claim.
“A party is entitled to full contractual indemnification provided that the intention to
indemnify can be clearly implied from the language and purposes of the entire agreement and the
surrounding facts and circumstances” (Karwowski v 1407 Broadway Real Estate, LLC, 160
AD3d 82, 87-88 [1st Dept 2018] quoting Drzewinski v Atlantic Scaffold & Ladder Co., 70 NY2d
774, 777 [1987]). Further, “a party seeking contractual indemnification must prove itself free
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from negligence, because to the extent its negligence contributed to the accident, it cannot be
indemnified therefor” (De Souza v Empire Tr. Mix, Inc., 155 AD3d 605, 606 [2nd Dept 2017]
[internal quotation marks and citation omitted]; see e.g. Hong-Bao Ren v Gioia St. Marks, LLC,
163 AD3d 494, 494 [1st Dept 2018]).
Moving Defendants argue that LSG is entitled to contractual indemnification by CRSG
pursuant to the written agreement, whereby LSG retained CRSG as the safety manager for the
Project (NYSCEF Doc. No. 115) (the “LSG-CRSG Agreement”). Moving Defendants argue that
the LSG-CRSG Agreement includes an indemnification provision obligating CRSG to indemnify
LSG as to plaintiff’s accident. Moving Defendants further argue that they were not negligent as
to the accident.
CRSG argues that Moving Defendants’ contractual indemnification claim should be
dismissed as contractual indemnification is contingent upon CRSG’s negligence, and CRSG was
not negligent as to plaintiff’s accident. CRSG further argues that it met its obligations under the
LSG-CRSG Agreement and did not actually supervise nor control plaintiff’s work.
The LSG-CRSG Agreement requires in relevant part that CRSG:
Provide a Licensed Site Safety Manager/CSFSM [Construction Site Fire Safely Manger Combo] for this project for the purposes of identifying hazards, and non- compliant conditions that violate the standards of OSHA CFR 1926, chapter 33 of the New York City Building Code and FDNY rules and regulations. These inspections will involve visual observations, photographs, and a written narrative report that will be delivered within one business day.
(LSG-CRSG Agreement, Proposal, page 2)
Further, the LSG-CRSG Agreement only requires that CRSG indemnify LSG for claims
“arising out of or as a result or consequence of the negligent acts, errors or omissions of the
Consultant, its employees, consultants and sub-consultants in the performance of the professional
services under this Agreement” (LSG-CRSG Agreement at 2, Section II).
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Here, Plaintiff’s accident did not arise from CRSG’s performance of its duties under the
agreement, nor is there any basis to conclude that the accident occurred due to any negligence,
errors, or omissions by CRSG in the performance of its duties. CRSG’s duties under the LSG-
CRSG Agreement were advisory and CRSG had neither the “obligation nor authority to correct
work hazards” (Dejesus v Downtown Re Holdings LLC, 217 AD3d 524, 527 [1st Dept
2023][dismissing contractual indemnification claim against site safety manager based upon
limited scope of contractual responsibilities]). These duties did not include directing any of the
sub-contractors’ work or otherwise enforcing safe practices on the jobsite. As such, plaintiff’s
accident did not arise from CRSG’s duties under the LSG-CRSG Agreement.
In addition, the record establishes that CRSG did not actually direct nor control the injury
producing work. Plaintiff testified that his foreman was the only person who directed his work
(Plaintiff tr at 34 36). Frank Marino (the president of CRSG) and Timothy McNamara (the site
safety manager employed by CRSG) both testified that if the site safety manager saw any
subcontractors engaged in unsafe practices, the site safety manger was required to inform a
“competent person” as designated by the subcontractor (Marino tr at 79; McNamara tr at 91).
McNamara also testified that Sky was responsible for the safety of its own employees and that
Sky had its own safety personnel (McNamara tr at 42). Marino further testified that McNamara
did not have the authority to stop work on the Project (Marino tr at 82).
Accordingly, CRSG is entitled to summary judgment dismissing Moving Defendants’
third-party contractual indemnification claim as to LSG, and Moving Defendants are not entitled
to summary judgment in LSG’s favor on its claim.
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Flintlock’s contractual indemnification claims against CRSG (motion sequence 003, 005)
Moving Defendants also move for summary judgment in favor of Flintlock on its third-
party contractual indemnification claim against CRSG. CRSG moves for summary judgment
For the reasons previously stated, plaintiff’s accident did not arise from CRSG’s
performance of its contractual duties nor from any negligence on the part of CRSG.
In addition, Flintlock was not a party to the LSG-CRSG Agreement, nor does the LSG-
CRSG Agreement include Flintlock as one of the “Consultant Indemnified Parties” entitled to
indemnification under the terms of the agreement (LSG-CRSG Agreement at 2, Section II; 9,
Exhibit B, Section II) (See Collyer v LaVigne, 202 AD3d 1335, 1341 [3rd Dept 2022], quoting
Arroyo v Central Islip UFSD, 173 AD3d 814, 816 [2nd Dept 2019] [“One cannot be held liable
under a contract to which he or she is not a party”]). Flintlock does not argue that it is a third-
party beneficiary to the LSG-CRSG Agreement for the purposes of indemnification.
Accordingly, CRSG is entitled to summary judgment dismissing Moving Defendants’
third-party contractual indemnification claim as to Flintlock, and Moving Defendants are not
entitled to summary judgment in Flintlock’s favor on this claim.
LSG and Flintlock’s common law indemnification and contribution claims against CRSG (motion sequence 003, 005)
Moving Defendants move for summary judgment in their favor on their common law
indemnification and contribution claims against CRSG. CRSG moves for summary judgment
dismissing these claims.
“To be entitled to common-law indemnification, a party must show (1) that it has been
held vicariously liable without proof of any negligence or actual supervision on its part; and (2)
that the proposed indemnitor was either negligent or exercised actual supervision or control over
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the injury-producing work” (Naughton v City of New York, 94 AD3d 1, 10 [1st Dept 2012], citing
McCarthy v Turner Constr., Inc., 17 NY3d 369, 377-378 [2011]; Reilly v Digiacomo & Son, 261
AD2d 318 [1st Dept 1999]). “Thus, a party moving for summary judgment dismissing a
common-law indemnification claim can meet its prima facie burden by establishing that the
plaintiff's accident was not due to its own negligence” (Cando v Ajay Gen. Contr. Co. Inc., 200
AD3d 750, 752 [2nd Dept 2021] [citations omitted])
Moving Defendants argue that CRSG made no effort to stop plaintiff from climbing the
DOKA form on the date of the accident nor did CRSG enforce the use of available ladders.
CRSG argues that it is entitled to dismissal of Moving Defendants’ common law indemnification
and contribution claims as it did not supervise nor control plaintiff’s work.
As previously discussed, CRSG did not have a contractual duty to control any
subcontractors’ work nor the authority to stop work on the Project (See Dejesus v Downtown Re
Holdings LLC, 217 AD3d at 526). Similarly, there is nothing in the record to indicate that CRSG
actually controlled or supervised the injury producing work.
Accordingly, CRSG is entitled to summary judgment dismissing Moving Defendants’
third-party common law indemnification and contribution claims, and Moving Defendants are
not entitled to summary judgment in their favor on these claims (See Cando v Ajay Gen. Contr.
Co. Inc., 200 AD3d at 753; see also Padron v Granite Broadway Dev. LLC, 209 AD3d 536, 537
[1st Dept 2022] [Court correctly granted summary judgment dismissing contribution claims, as
the record demonstrated that movant was free from negligence]).
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CRSG’s claims against LSG and Flintlock for common law indemnification and contribution (motion sequence 005)
Moving Defendants move for summary judgment dismissing all cross-claims and
counterclaims for contribution and common law indemnification as asserted against them.
Neither plaintiff nor CRSG oppose the Moving Party’s motion as to these claims.
For the reasons previously stated, there is no basis to conclude that the Moving
Defendants were negligent as to plaintiff’s accident.
Accordingly, Moving Defendants are entitled to summary judgment dismissing CRSG’s
common law indemnification and contribution claims as against them (See Cando, 200 AD3d at
753; see also Padron, 209 AD3d at 537).
LSG and Flintlock’s breach of contract claim against CRSG for failure to obtain insurance (motion sequence 003)
CRSG moves for summary judgment dismissing LSG and Flintlock’s breach of contract
claims based upon CRSG’s alleged failure to procure insurance.
The LSG-CRSG Agreement requires that CRSG obtain insurance naming LSG as an
additional insured (LSG-CRSG Agreement at 5, Section IV). “An agreement to indemnify is
separate and distinct from an agreement to procure insurance.” (Mt. Hawley Ins. Co. v American
States Ins. Co., 139 AD3d 497, 498 [1st Dept 2016]). Therefore, LSG and Flintlock’s breach of
contract claims against CRSG, based upon CRSG’s alleged failure to obtain insurance, are
separate and apart from their claims for contractual indemnification against CRSG (which were
dismissed for the previously stated reasons).
CRSG’s arguments for dismissal of LSG and Flintlock’s breach of contract claims
address general breach of contract principles, i.e. that CRSG’s site safety manager adequately
performed his contractual under the LSG-CRSG Agreement. However, LSG and Flintlock’s
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breach of contract claims against CRSG are based solely upon the specific allegation that CRSG
failed to obtain insurance as required by the LSG-CRSG Agreement.
Here, CRSG fails to attach any insurance policy relevant to the LSG-CRSG Agreement
(See Public Adm'r of Queens County v 124 Ridge LLC, 203 AD3d 493, 495 [1st Dept
2022][movant “failed to establish, as a matter of law, that it procured the insurance it was
contractually obliged to purchase, since it failed to submit the insurance policy”]).
Accordingly, CRSG is not entitled to summary judgment dismissing LSG and Flintlock’s
third-party claims for breach of contract for failure to procure insurance as required by the LSG-
CRSG Agreement.
The parties’ remaining arguments have been considered and are unavailing.
CONCLUSION AND ORDER
For the foregoing reasons, it is hereby
ORDERED that plaintiff, Jose Luis Velez’s, motion for summary judgment pursuant to
CPLR § 3212 as to liability in his favor on his Labor Law §§ 240 and 241 (6) claims (motion
sequence 004) as against LSG 105 West 28th, LLC (“LSG”) and Flintlock Construction Services
LLC (“Flintlock”) is granted as to the section 240 (1) claim only, and is otherwise denied; and it
is further
ORDERED that defendants, LSG and Flintlock’s, motion for summary judgment
pursuant to CPLR 3212 dismissing the complaint, all cross-claims, and counterclaims as against
them and for summary judgment on their third party contractual indemnification claims against
Construction & Realty Safety Group, Inc.’s (“CRSG”) (motion sequence 005) is granted to the
extent that plaintiff’s Labor Law § 241 (6) as well as his Labor Law § 200 and common law
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negligence claims and CRSG’s common law indemnification and contribution claims as against
LSG and Flintlock are hereby dismissed and the motion is otherwise denied; and it is further
ORDERED that CRSG’s motion for summary judgment pursuant to CPLR § 3212
dismissing all claims, cross-claims, and counterclaims as against it (motion sequence 003) is
granted to the extent that LSG and Flintlock’s third party contractual indemnification, common
law indemnification, and contributions claims against CRSG are hereby dismissed and the
motion is otherwise denied.
12/27/2023 DATE PAUL A. GOETZ, J.S.C. CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED X NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
GRANTED DENIED X GRANTED IN PART OTHER
APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT REFERENCE
159202/2018 VELEZ, JOSE LUIS vs. LSG 105 WEST 28TH, LLC Page 28 of 28 Motion No. 003 004 005
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