Case ID: ny-st-rep_60/html/0840-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Fitzsimons, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Josephine Mahon, App’lt, v. Patrick Burns, Resp’t.
    
      (New York City Court, General Term,
    
    
      Filed June 20, 1894.)
    
    Negligence—Contractor.
    The owner is not liable for the negligence of the contractor or his mem in tiling the hallway of a tenement house.
   Fitzsimons, J.

The defendant, the owner of a tenement house contracted with one Nuse to tile the ground floor of his said house. While the work was being done the plaintiff was injured by striking her leg against a beam which was used in connection with other planking to protect the newly laid tile. She brings the action for the injuries sustained by her. The trial justice dismissed her complaint. The tiling of the hallway by defendant was a lawful transaction ; he had the right to give the work to another as contractor, and was not liable for the negligence of the contractor or his agents. The plaintiff had knowledge of the fact that a contractor and not defendant was actually doing the work in question. (Folio 48 of the case.) Her cause of action is against the contractor and not the defendant. The complaint was, therefore, properly dismissed. See Maltbe v. Bolting, 6 Misc. Rep. 339; 56 St. Rep. 243. Judgment is affirmed with costs.

Conlan, J., concurs.