Case ID: misc_52/html/0567-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Gildersleeve, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

George Wettje, Jr., Respondent, v. Arthur B. Silverman, Appellant.
    (Supreme Court, Appellate Term,
    February, 1907.)
    Independent contractors — Who are independent contractors — Test of relation — When owner not liable.
    Where the erection of a building is let out to several independent contractors, the owner, who gives no orders nor directions to the men, is not liable for injuries to the employee of one of the contractors caused by the falling of a brielc from an upper floor, where the employees of another contractor were at work, through an opening left for a stairway and elevator, in the absence of proof that the opening was not designated in the plans and specifications and was not necessarily left uncovered in order to do the work.
    
      Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of New York, first district, borough of The Bronx, rendered in favor of the plaintiff.
    Frederick E. Fishel, for appellant.
    Willoughby B. Dobbs, for respondent.
   Gildersleeve, J.

The defendant was the owner of premises upon which a building was being erected. The work was let out to different independent contractors, and defendant took no part whatever in the work beyond inspecting it from time to time to see if it was being done according to the contract. If he found anything wrong he complained to the contractor, but gave no orders or directions to the men, who were paid by and under the control of the respective contractors. Plaintiff was working under the contractor who had the plumbing work. One Brander was the contractor for the brick work. He says himself that he supplied the labor, but that defendant supplied the materials. When plaintiff, in the course of his duties, was going down a ladder, he was struck on the head by a brick falling from an upper floor where Brander’s men were at work. We fail to find any proof connecting defendant with the accident, or showing any negligence on his part. The plaintiff was not a servant of defendant, but of an independent contractor. The brick appears to have fallen through an open space which was so left opened and uncovered for the purpose of the erection or construction of a stairway and elevator, and there is nothing to indicate that such opening was not designated in the plans and specifications of the building and necessarily left uncovered in order to do the work of construction.

The judgment must be reversed and a new trial granted, Avith costs to appellant to abide the event.

MacLean and Amend, JJ., concur.

Judgment reversed and new trial granted, Avith costs to appellant to abide event.