Case Title: Charles Scaparo v. Village of Ilion/Anthony Yero v. Village of Ilion

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: new-york

Court: New York Appellate Court

Date: 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z

Document:
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This memorandum is uncorrected and subject to revision before
publication in the New York Reports.
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No. 212  SSM 42
Charles Scaparo, et al., 
            Appellants,
        v.
Village of Ilion, et al.,
            Defendants,
Herkimer County Industrial 
Development Agency, et al.,
            Respondents.
(Action No. 1)
--------------------------------
Anthony Yero, et al.,
            Appellants,
        v.
Village of Ilion, et al.,
            Defendants.
Herkimer County Industrial 
Development Agency, et al.,
            Respondents.
(Action No. 2)
Submitted by Anthony J. Brindisi, for appellants.
Submitted by Robert P. Roche, for respondent Herkimer
County Industrial Development Agency.
Submitted by John A. Panzone, for respondent Our Lady
Queen of Apostles Church of St. Mary of Mount Carmel/S.S. Peter
and Paul.
MEMORANDUM:
The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed,
with costs, and the certified question answered in the
affirmative. 
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SSM No. 42
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The Appellate Division majority properly concluded that
no triable issue of fact exists whether defendant Herkimer County
Industrial Development Agency (HCIDA) was an owner within the
contemplation of Labor Law § 241 (6).  In cases imposing
liability on a property owner who did not contract for the work
performed on the property, this Court has required "some nexus
between the owner and the worker, whether by a lease agreement or
grant of an easement, or other property interest" (Abbatiello v
Lancaster Studio Assoc., 3 NY3d 46, 51 [2004]).  Here, although
the accident occurred on HCIDA's property, HCIDA did not contract
with the Village of Frankfort to have the sewer lateral
installed, it had no choice but to allow the Village to enter its
property pursuant to a right-of-way, and it did not grant the
Village an easement or other property interest creating the
right-of-way. 
Likewise, the Appellate Division correctly concluded
that no triable issue of fact exists whether defendant Our Lady
Queen of Apostles Church of St. Mary of Mount Carmel/S.S. Peter
and Paul (the Church) was an owner under Labor Law § 241 (6). 
Courts have held that the term "owner" is not limited to the
titleholder of the property where the accident occurred and
encompasses a person "who has an interest in the property and who
fulfilled the role of owner by contracting to have work performed
for his [or her] benefit" (Copertino v Ward, 100 AD2d 565, 566
[2d Dept 1984]; see also Reisch v Amadori Constr. Co., 273 AD2d
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SSM No. 42
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855, 856 [4th Dept 2000]).  Here, although the Church agreed to
pay for the cost of materials, the Church had no interest in the
property over which the sewer lateral was placed.  Notably,
municipal employees working at the site testified that no
representative from the Church was present at, or gave directions
during, the excavation work.  Moreover, the testimony adduced
indicated that the Village assumed full responsibility for
installing the lateral sewer line and acknowledged that the
lateral would be available for use by future property owners in
the area who wished to connect to the Village sewer system.   
Finally, the Appellate Division majority properly
concluded that no triable issue of fact exists whether the Church
was in a position to control the sewer lateral installation
process or to insist that proper safety practices were followed
under Labor Law § 200 (see generally Comes v New York State Elec.
& Gas Corp., 82 NY2d 876, 877-878 [1993]).   
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.11 of the Rules,
order affirmed, with costs, and certified question answered in
the affirmative, in a memorandum.  Chief Judge Lippman and Judges
Ciparick, Graffeo, Read, Smith, Pigott and Jones concur.
Decided December 1, 2009