Case ID: ad3d_157/html/0617-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Anthony Luciano, Respondent, v New York City Housing Authority, Appellant.
    [67 NYS3d 456]
   Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Larry S. Schachner, J.), entered February 17, 2017, which granted plaintiffs motion for summary judgment as to liability on the Labor Law § 241 (6) claim insofar as predicated on Industrial Code (12 NYCRR) § 23-1.7 (d), unanimously modified, on the law, to the extent of directing a trial on the issue of comparative negligence, and otherwise affirmed, without costs.

Plaintiffs testimony that he slipped on water on the floor of the stairwell where he was working establishes prima facie a violation of Labor Law § 241 (6) predicated on Industrial Code § 23-1.7 (d) (“Slipping hazards”). In opposition, defendant, relying solely on speculative hearsay testimony (by another employee), failed to raise an issue of fact as to the way the accident occurred (see Ying Choy Chong v 457 W. 22nd St. Tenants Corp., 144 AD3d 591, 592 [1st Dept 2016]; see also Marrero v 2075 Holding Co. LLC, 106 AD3d 408-409 [1st Dept 2013]).

While the record demonstrates defendant’s liability as a matter of law, an issue of fact exists as to negligence on plaintiffs part (see Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154, 160 [1982]), which could result in an apportionment of liability (see Maza v University Ave. Dev. Corp., 13 AD3d 65 [1st Dept 2004]; McLean v Wical Realty Corp., 182 AD2d 554 [1st Dept 1992]). Plaintiff testified that, as he entered the stairwell, he was looking up to determine the location of the box through which he was to run cable, and that, while carrying a ladder in one hand, he attempted to descend the staircase without looking at the stairs or the landing in front of him.

Concur—Manzanet-Daniels, J.P., Gische, Tom, Gesmer, Singh, JJ.