Viveros v Maserati Realty, LLC

2024 NY Slip Op 31337(U)

April 15, 2024

Supreme Court, Kings County

Docket Number: Index No. 508782/20

Judge: Wavny Toussaint

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.
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PRES ENT: 

HON. WA VNY TOUSSAINT, 

Justice. 

At an IAS Term, Part 70 of the Supreme 

Court of the State of New York, held in and 

for the County of Kings, at the Courthouse, at 

360 Ada_rps Street, Brooklyn, New York, on 

the 1.5-th day of April, 2024. 

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RICARDO GUZMAN VIVEROS, 

Plaintiff, 

-againstMASERATI REALTY, LLC, CH GOWANUS, LLC, 

CH GOW ANUS HOLDINGS, LLC, NY DEVELOPERS 

& MANAGERS, INC., NY DEVELOPERS & 

MANAGEMENT, LLC, and FIRST QUALITY 

ELECTRIC CORP., 

Defendants. 

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The following e-filed papers read herein: 

Notice of Motion/Order to Show Cause/ 

Petition/Cross Motion and 

Affidavits (Affirmations) Annexed ______ _ 

Opposing Affidavits/Answer (Affirmations) __ _ 

Affidavits/ Affirmations in Reply _____ _ 

Other Papers: ____________ _ 

Index No.: 508782/20 

DECISION AND ORDER 

NYSCEF Doc Nos.: 

85-87, 101-103, 128-130 

148-149, 151-152, 154-155 

157-158, 160-161, 165-166 

170,172, 174,177,179 

Upon the foregoing papers, defendant First Quality Electric Corp. (First Quality) 

moves (Seq. 05) for an order, pursuant to CPLR §3212, granting summary judgment 

dismissing the complaint and an)' and all cross claims as asserted against it. Defendants 

Maserati Realty LLC (Maserati), CH Gowanus, LLC (CH Gowanus), NY Developers & 

Managers, Inc .. (Managers), and NY Developers & Management, LLC (NY Developers) 

(collectively referred to as the "Maserati Defendants") move (Seq. 06) for an order, 

pursuant to CPLR §3212, granting them summary judgment: (I) dismissing the complaint 

and any and all cross claim as asserted against them and (2) granting their cross claim 

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against First Quality. Plaintiff Ricardo Guzman Viveros (plaintiff) moves (Seq. 07) for an 

order, pursuant to CPLR §3212, granting him partial summary judgment oi:i the issue of 

liability as against Maserati, CH Gowanus and NY Developers on his Labor Law §240(1) 

cause of action and on his Labor Law §241(6) cause of action to the extent that it is 

premised on Industrial Code (12 NYCRR) §23-1.30. 

BACKGROUND 

In this action premised on common-law negligence and violations of Labor Law §§ 

200,240 (1) and 241 (6), plaintiff alleges that, on February 27, 2020, he suffered injuries 

while installing ductwork at an industrial building being renovated for office and retail use 

at 124 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY (premises), when the ladder on which he was standing 

moved and he fell to the floor. The building and land at issue were owned by Maserati 

and, pursuant to a 99-year ground lease, leased to CH Gowanus. CH Gowanus hired NY 

Developers as a construction manager/general contractor for the project which involved 

the gut renovation of the premises. 1 Pursuant to a prime contract, CH Gowan us hired First 

Quality to perform electrical work and the scope of First Quality's work under their 

contract included installing new electrical boxes and fixtures as well as installing and 

maintaining temporary lighting during cpnstruction (CH Gowanus -First Quality Contract, 

Rider 1, Scope of Work§ 5). Pursuant to another prime contract, CH Gowanus hired non1 The court notes that CH Gowanus' contract with NY Developers identifies NY Developers as a construction 

manager and limits its responsibility for overall site safety. Despite the language of the contract, however, Jacob 

Hamway, who testified as a witness on behalf of Maserati, CH Gowanus, and NY Developers, stated that NY 

Developers also acted as a general contractor and that its site staff, such as the project manager, assistant project 

manager, and superintendent, had authority to stop the work if they observed dangerous conditions or practices and 

would regularly walk the site to ensure that the subcontractors adhered to safe construction practices. 

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party On Target Sheet Metal CorpiOn Target) to perform HVAC work that included the 

installation of ductwork. Plaintiff was employed by On Target as a ductwork installer. 

According to plaintiffs deposition testimony, he had been working with Julian 

Pinera (Pinera) his helper, installing ductwork in a small room on the second floor of the 

premises for approximately a week before the accident. In order to perfonn this work, 

plaintiff and Pinera would each set-up their eight-foot-tall A-frame ladders approximately 

one to two feet from each other. Each would grab a hold of opposing ends of a three-andone-hal f by two-and-one half foot piece of metal duct work, and then proceed to climb up 

their respective ladders holding the piece of ductwork in order to attach it to the portion of 

the ductwork that had already been installed. Just before the accident, plaintiff and Pinera 

had already positioned a piece of ductwork above them, and plaintiff, who was standing· 

with his feet on the sixth rung of his ladder, was reaching above his head with his left hand 

to hold the duct in position with a pressure clamp while at the same time reaching up with 

his right hand to put in screws using a screwdriver. As plaintiff was installing the duct in 

this manner, the temporary lighting went out, plaintiffs ladder moved to plaintiffs left, 

and when it did so, plaintiff fell towards his right, striking an electrical panel as he fell to 

the floor. The ladder also ultimately fell to the floor. Plaintiff, however, did not know 

what caused the ladder to move. 

When the lights went out, plaintiff testified that there was no light coming into the 

room and that he couldn't see a thing through the darkness. The lights remained out for 

approximately 20 minutes after the accident. Although plaintiff did not recall the lights 

going out while he was working in the room at issue during the week before the accident, 

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he alleges the lights had previously gone out on several occasions during his eight months 

working on the project. With respect to the subject ladder, plaintiff stated that he had used 

it before the day of the accident and had experienced no problems, issues or concerns with 

the ladder prior to the accident, and, if he had, he would have brought them to the attention 

of his supervisor. The floor of the room at issue was concrete and plaintiff and Pinera kept 

it free of garbage and debris. 

In his deposition testimony, Pinera's description of how he and plaintiff perfonned 

their assignments is similar to plaintiffs description of same. Pinera also stated that the 

accident occurred after the lights went out while they were standing on their respective 

ladders installing a piece of ductwork. At the time the lights went out, Pinera was holding 

one end of the duct in place as plaintiff was installing a screw. Although Pinera did not 

witness plaintiffs fall because the lights went out, he was able to hear it. Pinera's ladder 

also moved when plaintiff fell, but he was able to steady himself by holding on to a pipe in 

the ceiling. Like plaintiff, Pinera also did not notice any issues with the ladders they were 

using. With respect to the lighting, Pinera stated that the temporary lighting had gone out 

on occasion during the course of the project, and that it had gone out once or twice in the 

three or four days they were working in the room before the accident. 

In contrast to the testimony of plaintiff and Pinera, Antonio Grande Pajaro (Pajaro), 

who was First Quality's onsite supervisor and present at the project from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 

p.m. on a daily basis, testified at his deposition that the temporary lighting for the project 

stayed on 24 hours· a day, 7 days a week, that he had received no complaints about the 

lighting going out, and that the lights did not go off and were not turned off during his time 

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on the project, which included the day of the accident. Pajaro also testified that the only 

way to shut down the temporary lights was to turn off the breaker in the electrical box, that 

this box was kept locked, and that First Quality's representatives were the only persons 

who had the keys for the box. The only other way for the lights to go out was if someone 

had damaged one of the light cables, and Pajaro testified that he was not aware of any such 

cables being cut or damaged while he worked onsite. Pajaro also stated that the electrical 

boxes in the room plaintiff was working in related to the emergency light system and had 

nothing to do with the temporary lighting. 

DISCUSSION 

Standard of Review 

"To obtain summary judgment it is necessary that the movant establish his [or her] 

cause of action or defense sufficiently to warrant the court as a matter of law in directing 

judgment in his [or her] favor" (Zuckerman v City a/New York, 49 NY2d 557, 562 [1980]). 

"On the other hand, to defeat a motion for summary judgment the opposing party must 

show facts sufficient to require a trial of any issue of fact" (id.). If there are triable issues 

of fact as to how the alleged accident occuned, then the motion should be denied (Lima v 

HY 38 Owner, LLC, 208 AD3d 1181, 1183 (2d Dep't 2022]). "Summary judgment is a 

drastic remedy which should only be employed when there is no doubt as to the absence 

of triable issues" (Murray v Community House Development Fund Company, Inc., 223 

AD3d 675,677 [2d Dep't 2024]; Chiara v Town of New Castle, 126 AD3d 111, 125 [2d 

Dep't 2015]). 

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Additionally, "[i)n determining a motion for summary judgment, the court must 

view the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, and where conflicting 

inferences may be. drawn, the court must draw those most favorable to the nonmoving 

party" (Chiara, ~26 AD3d at 111; Open Door Foods, LLC v Pasta Machines, Inc., 136 

AD3d 1002, 1005 [2d Dep't 2016]). The function of the court on a motion for summary 

judgment is not to resolve issues of fact or determine matters of credibility, but merely to 

detennine whether such issues exist (Khutoryanskaya v Laser & Microsurgery, P. C., 222 

AD3d 633, 635 [2d Dep't 2023]; Schumacher v Pucciarelli, 161 AD3d 1205, 1205 [2d 

Dep 't 2018]). 

Plaintiffs' Causes of Action 

Turning first to the parties' contentions relating to plaintiff's Labor Law §240(1) 

cause of action, that section imposes absolute liability on owners and contractors or their 

agents when their failure to protect workers employed on a construction site from the risks 

associated with elevation differentials proximately causes injury to a worker ( Wilinski v 

334 E. 92nd Hous. Dev. Fund Corp., 18 NY3d 1, 3 [2011]; Ross v Curtis-Palmer HydroElec. Co., 81 NY2d 494, 500 [1993]). With respect to falls from ladders, the Appellate 

Division, Second Department has emphasized that "[t]he mere fact that a plaintiff fell from 

a ladder does not, in and of itself, establish that proper protection was not provided" 

(Karanikolas v Elias Taverna, LLC; 120 AD3d 552, 555 [2d Dep't 2014] [internal 

quotation marks omitted]; Cutaia v Board of Mgrs. of the 160/170 Varick St. 

Condominium, 38 NY3d 1037, 1038-1039 [2021]; Orellana v 7 W. 34th St., LLC~ 173 AD3d 

886, 888 [2d Dep't 2019]). In order to find the absence of proper protection, "[t]here must 

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be evidence that the ladder was defective or inadequately secured and that the defect. or 

the failure to secure the ladder, was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiffs injuries" 

(Karanikolas, 120 AD3d at 555 [internal quotation marks omitted]; Hugo v Sarantakos, 

108 AD3d 744, 745 [2d Dep't 2013]). 

Here, there is no dispute that Maserati, CH Gowanus and NY Developers may each 

be held liable under Labor Law §240( l ). Maserati may be held liable as an owner (Gordon 

v Eastern Ry. Supply, 82 NY2d 555, 559-560 [1993]; Jara v Costco Wholesale Corp., 178 

AD3d 687, 690 (2d Dep't 2019]), CH Gowanus may be held liable since it acted in the role 

of owner by contracting with the various contractors for the construction work at issue 

(Gomez v 670 Merrick Rd Realty Co1p., 189 AD3d 1187, 1190 [2d Dep't 2020]; Wicks v 

Lee milt's Petroleum, Inc., 103 AD3 d 793, 79 5-796 [2d Dep 't 2013 ]), and NY Developers 

may be held liable since, although it was identified as construction manager, it et1ectively 

acted as the general contractor within the meaning of sections 240 (1) and 241 (6) (Walls 

v Turner Cons tr. Co., 4 NY3d 861, 863-864 [2005]; Seales v Trident Structural Corp., 142 

AD3d 1153, 1157-1158 [2d Dep't 2016]; Pipia v Turner Constr. Co., 114 AD3d 424,427 

[1st Dep 't 2014 ], lv dismissed 24 NY3d 1216 [2015]). There is also no dispute that plaintiff 

was performing covered altering work within the meaning of Labor Law § 240 (I) that was 

also ancillary to a larger construction project (Sanatass v Consolidated Inv. Co., Inc., I 0 

NY3d 333,337 (2008]; Depass v Mercer Sq., LLC, 219 AD3d 801, 802 [2d Dep't 2023]) 

and that plaintiff was working at a significant elevation differential within the meaning of 

that section (Swider ska v New York Univ., IO NY3d 792, 793 [2008]; Doto v Astoria 

Energy fl LLC, 129 AD3d 660,662 [2d Dep't 2015]). 

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Contrary to defendants' contentions, plaintiffs deposition testimony that he fell to 

the ground after the ladder moved shows that the ladder was inadequately secured and is 

sufficient to establish his prima facie entitlement to summary judgment on his Labor Law 

§ 240 (I) cause of action (Hoxhaj v West 30th HL LLC, 195 AD3d 503, 504 [1st Dep't 

2021] [ladder wobbled]; Salinas v 64 Jefferson Apts., LLC, 170 AD3d 1216, 1222 [2d 

Dep't 2019] [ladder moved]; Cabrera v Arrow Steel Window Corp., 163 AD3d 758, 759-

760 [2d Dep't 2018] [ladder moved]; Alvarez v Vingsan L.P., 150 AD3d 1177, 1179 [2d 

Dep't 2017]). In view of plaintiffs deposition testimony regarding the movement of the 

unsecured ladder, plaintiff was not required to ·show that the ladder was defective in order 

to make out his prima facie burden (Rodriguez v Milton Boron, LLC, 199 AD3d 537, 538 

[1st Dep't 2021]; Von Hegel v Brixmor Sunshine Sq., LLC, 180 AD3d 727, 730 [2d Dep't 

2020]; Mingo v Lebedowicz, 57 AD3d 491,493 [2d Dep't 2008]) and had no obligation to 

explain why it moved (Hoxhaj, 195 AD3d ·at 504; Salinas, 170 AD3d at 1222 [ladder 

moved for no apparent reason]; Cabrera, 163 AD3d at 759-760 [ladder moved for no 

apparent reason]). 

The Maserati Defendants, in opposition, argue that plaintiff asserted that the 

accident was caused by the lights going out and, as a result, that the cause of the accident 

was unrelated to the need for a Labor Law§ 240 (I) device. It is true that cases addressing 

section 240 (I) have held, for example, that a fall solely caused by a tripping hazard . \. 

unrelated to the ladder or scaffold at issue does not make out a section 240 ( 1) violation 

(see Cohen v Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr., 11 NY3d 823, 825 [2008]; Nieves v 

Five Boro A.C. & Refrig. Corp., 93 NY2d 914, 916 [1999]; Krarunzhiy v 91 Cent. Park W 

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Ovmers C01p., 212 AD3d 722, 723-724 [2d Dep't 2023]) and a case involving a plaintiff 

who simply lost his balance and fell because of lights going out might be encompassed 

within such a rule (see Jurski v City of New York, 204 AD3d 983, 984 [2d Dep't 2022]; cf 

Cutaia, 38 NY3d at 1039 [factual issue as to adequacy of ladder or need for additional 

safety devices presented by plaintiffs fall from ladder after receiving electric shock]). The 

Maserati Defendants argument, however, ignores plaintiffs deposition testimony that he 

fell after the ladder itself moved, which as discussed above, is in and of itself, sufficient to 

demonstrate a section 240 (1) violation. Further, even if it could be found that the ladder 

ended up moving because plaintiff moved his body when the lights went out, such an action 

by plaintiff would not eliminate the movement of the ladder as a proximate cause of 

plaintiffs accident (see Green v Evergreen Family Ltd. Partnership, 210 AD3d 1496, 

I 497-1498 [ 4th Dep't 2022]; Messina v City of New York, 148 AD3d 493, 494 [1st Dep't 

2017]; Goodwin, 144 AD3d at 747; Ruiz v WDF, Inc., 45 AD3d 758, 758 [2d Dep't 2007]).2 

Moreover, the Maserati Defendants have presented no facts suggesting that there is an issue 

with plaintiffs credibility sufficient to question his testimony regarding the ladder's 

movement (see e.g. Klein v City of New York, 89 NY2d 833, 834-835 [1996]; Cardenas v 

J 11-127 Cabrini Apts. Corp., 145 AD3d 955,957 [2d Dep't 2016]; Melchor v Singh, 90 

AD3d 866, 869 [2d Dep't 2011]; cf Jurski, 204 AD3d at 984). 

i There are no evidentiary facts suggesting that plaintiff simply lost his balance and fell and caused the ladder to fall 

as he was already falling to the ground (Woods v Design Ctr., LLC, 42 AD3d 876, 877 [4th Dep't 2007]; cf Durkin 

v Long ls. Power Auth., 37 AD3d 400,401 [2d Dep't 2007]; Costello v Hapco Realty, 305 AD2d 445, 446-447 [2d 

Dep't 2003]). 

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Turning to plaintiffs Labor Law § 241 ( 6) cause of action, under that section an 

owner, general contractor or their agent may be held vicariously liable for injuries to a 

plaintiff where the plajntiff establishes· that the accident was proximately caused by a 

violation of an Industrial Code section stating a specific positive command that is 

applicable to the facts of the case (Rizzuto v L.A. Wenger Contr. Co., 9 I NY2d 343, 349-

350 [ I 998]; Honeyman v Curiosity Works, Inc., I 54 AD3d 820, 821 [2d Dep't 2017]). 

Here, plaintiff, in his bill of particulars, premises his section 241 (6) cause of action on 

violations oflndustrial Code 12NYCRR §§ 23-1.7 (f), 23-1.21, and 23-1.30. 

Initially, the Maserati Defendants have demonstrated their prima facie entitlement 

to dismissal of the Labor Law § 241 ( 6) cause of action to the extent that it is premised on 

Industrial Code (12 NYCRR) § 23-1.7 (f) (requiring stairways, ramps or runways to 

provide worker access to different working levels above or below the ground). Section 23-

1.7 (f) is inapplicable here since plaintiff was using the ladder at issue as a work platfonn, 

not as a means of accessing working levels above or below the ground within the meaning 

of that section (Ramones v 425 Country Rd., LLC, 217 AD3d 977, 980 [2d Dep't 2023]; 

Miranda v NYC Parntership Haus. Dev. Fund Co., Inc., 122 AD3d 445, 446 (1st Dep't 

2014 ]). Plaintiff, who failed to address section 23-1. 7 (f) in his opposition papers, has 

abandoned reliance on section 23-1. 7 ( f) and the Maserati Defendants are entitled to 

dismissal of the section 241 (6) cause of action to the extent that it is based on that section 

(Debennedetto v Chetrit, 190 AD3d 933, 936 [2d Dep't 2021]). 

With respect to Industrial Code (12 NYCRR) § 23-1.21, plaintiff, in his bill of 

particulars, did not identify which of the subsections of section 23-1.21 were violated here 

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(Caminiti v Extell W. 57th St. LLC, 166 AD3d 440,441 [1st Dep't 2018]). In opposition 

to the Maserati Defendants' motion, however, plaintiff asserted that section 23-1.21 (b) (3) 

(iv), which provides that "All ladders shall be maintained in good condition. A ladder shall 

not be used if any of the following conditions exist: ... If it has any flaw or defect of 

material that may cause ladder failure," was violated. While plaintiff could properly 

specify a violation of this subsection for the first time in his opposition papers (see Simmons 

v City of New York, 165 AD3d 725, 729 [2d Dep't 2018]), plaintiff's own testimony was 

that he did not have any problem or issue with the ladder prior to the accident and that he 

was able to set it up and lock it into position without incident. In the absence of any 

evidence in the record suggesting that the ladder had a flaw or defect of material that could 

have caused it to fail, and, given that the accident itself does not allow anything more than 

a speculative inference that the ladder had such a defect, the Maserati Defendants' are 

entitled to dismissal of the Labor Law § 241 (6) cause of action to the extent it is premised 

on section 23-1.21 (Yao Zang Wu v Zhen Jia Yang, 161 AD3d 813, 815 [2d Dep't 2018]; 

Croussett v Chen, 102.AD3d 448, 448-449 [1st Dep't 2013]). 

Factual issues as to whether there were problems with the lighting at the jobsite 

require denial of both plaintiff's motion and the Maserati Defendants' motion with respect 

to whether Industrial Code (12 NYCRR) § 23-1.30, which addresses illumination at 

construction sites, 3 was violated. The testimony of plaintiff and Pinera that the lights went 

3 Industrial Code ( 12 NYCRR) §§ 23-1.30 provides that, "Illumination sufficient for safe working conditions shall 

be provided wherever persons are required to work or pass in construction, demolition and excavation operations, 

but in no case shall such illumination be less than IO foot candles in any area where persons are required to work nor 

less than five foot candles in any passageway, stairway, landing or similar area where persons are required to pass." 

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out on several occasions and that when the lights went out at the time of the accident it was 

pitch black in the room at issue is sufficient to demonstrate factual issues as to whether the 

amount oflight in the room, at the time of the accident, violated section 23-1.30 (Murphy 

v 80 Pine, LLC, 208 AD3d 492, 497-498 [2d Dep't 2022]; see also Favaloro v Port Auth. 

ofN.Y. & N.J, 191 AD3d 524, 525 [1st Dep't 2021]; Capuano v Tishman Constr. Corp., 

98 AD3d 848, 850-851 [1st Dep't 2012]; Murphy v Columbia Univ., 4 ADJd 200,202 [1st 

Dep't 2004]) and whether "someone within the chain of the construction project was 

negligent in not exercising reasonable care, or acting within a reasonable time, to prevent 

or remediate the hazard" arising from the lighting issues at the jobsite (Rizzuto, 91 NY2d. 

at 351; Bocanegra v Chest Realty Corp., 169 AD3d 750, 751-752 [2d Dep't 2019]). 

On the other hand, the above noted testimony of Pajaro, a First Quality supervisor, 

that there was no problem with the lighting is sufficient to demonstrate a factual issue as 

to whether the lighting had anything to do with the accident. Moreover, plaintiffs own 

testimony, while showing that the lights going out was temporally related to the movement 

of the ladder, fails to demonstrate, as a matter of law, that the lights going out was a 

proximate cause of the ladder's movement or of plaintiffs fall. 

Regarding the portion of First Quality's motion addressed to plaintiffs Labor Law 

§§ 240 (I) and 241 (6) causes of action, First Quality asserts that it is entitled to summary . 

judgment dismissing these claims because it was not an owner, general contractor or 

statutory agent thereof within the meaning of those sections. In his opposition papers, 

plaintiff has agreed to withdraw the section 240 (I) and 24 l ( 6) causes of action as against 

First Quality. While, in the face of such an agreement by plaintiff, this court would 

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normally grant First Quality's motion with respect to those causes of action, the Maserati 

Defendants have opposed this portion of First Quality's motion, asserting that First Quality 

was in fact a statutory agent for purposes of section 240 (1) and 241 (6) liability. The 

Maserati Defendants may oppose the dismissal of those causes of action, despite the fact 

that they have cross claim for indemnification, contribution and breach of the insurance 

provisions against First Quality, because First Quality's liability under sections 240 (1) and 

241 (6) may have a bearing on the jury's apportionment ofliability for the accident (Be/mer 

v HHM Assoc., Inc., 101 AD3d 526, 527-528 [1st Dep't 2012]; see also Cunha v City of 

New York, 12 NY3d 504, 508-510 [2009]; Frank v Meadowlakes Dev. Corp., 6 NY3d 687, 

691-693 [2006]; cf CPLR 1602 [l] [a], [8]). 

Since the responsibilities CH Gowanus delegated to First Quality in their contract 

included maintaining the temporary lighting at issue, this control over lighting could render 

it liable as a statutory agent under Labor Law § 241 (6) to the extent that such cause of 

action is premised on a violation oflndustrial Code (12 NYCRR) § 23-1.30. This factual 

issue requires denial of First Quality's motion relating to section 241 ( 6) as premised upon 

section 23-1.30 only (McKinney v Empire State Dev. Corp., 217 AD3d 574, 576 [l st Dep't 

2023]; Vitucci v Durst Pyramid LLC, 205 AD3d 441, 444 [1st Dep't 2022]; DeMaria v 

RBNB 20 Owner, LLC, 129 AD3d 623,626 [1st Dep't 2015]; see also Drzewinski v Atlantic 

Scaffold & Ladder Co., 70 NY2d 774, 776-777 [1987]; Sanchez v 404 Park Partners, LP, 

168 AD3d 491, 492 [1st Dep't 2019]). On the other hand, because First Qua1ity had no 

authority over other aspects of plaintiff's work, including plaintiff's methods and manner 

of performing his work on the_ ladder, First Quality is entitled to dismissal of plaintiffs 

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Labor Law§ 240 (1) cause of action and dismissal of his Labor Law§ 241 (6) claim to the 

extent it is premised on Industrial Code sections other thari section 23-1.30 (Vitucci, 205 

AD3d at 444; see also Woodrujfv lslandwide Carpentry Contrs., Inc., 222 AD3d 920,921 

[2d Dep't 2023]; Fiore v Westerman Constr. Co., Inc., 186 AD3d 570, 571 [2d Dep't 

20201). 

Turning to plaintiffs common-law negligence and Labor Law § 200 causes of 

action, when such claims arise out of alleged defects or dangers in the methods or materials 

of the work, "there is no liability under the common law or Labor Law § 200 unless the 

owner or general contractor exercised supervision or control over the work performed" 

(Carranza v ,!CL Homes, Inc., 210 AD3d 858, 860 [2d Dep't 2022), quoting Cun-En Lin v 

Holy Family Monuments, 18 AD3d 800, 80 I [2d Dep't 2005); see also Barreto v 

Metropolitan Transp. Auth., 25 NY3d 426,435 [2015]; Valencia v Glinski, 219 AD3d 541, 

545 [2d Dep't 2023]). Where a premises condition is at issue, property owners and general 

contractors may be held liable under·common-law negligence and for a violation of Labor 

Law § 200 if they either created the dangerous condition that caused the accident or had 

actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition that caused the accident (Abelleira 

v City of New York, 120 AD3d 1163, 1164 [2d Dep't 2014]; Bauman v Town of Islip, 120 

AD3d 603, 605 [2d Dep't 2014]; Ortega v Puccia, 57 AD3d 54, 61 [2d Dep't 2008]). 

Similarly, liability under Labor Law§ 200 and common-law negligence may be imposed 

upon a subcontractor where it had control over the work site and either created the allegedly 

dangerous condition or had actual or constructive notice of same (V.ita v New York Law 

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Sch, 163 AD3d 605,607 [2d Dep't 2018]; Wolfv KLR Mech., Inc., 35 AD3d 916,918 [3d 

Dep 't 2006]). 

Here, the record, including plaintiff's deposition testimony that On Target provided 

the equipment he used at the worksite and that he received all of his instructions regarding 

his work from On Target, demonstrates, prima facie, that defendants did not supervise or 

control plaintiff's work for purposes of plaintiffs Labor Law § 200 and common-law 

negligence causes of action (Wilson v Bergan Constr. Corp., 219 AD3d 1380, 1383 [2d 

Dep't 2023]; Kefaloukis v Mayer, 197 AD3d 470, 471 [2d Dep't 2021]; Lopez v Edge 

11211, LLC, 150 AD3d 1214, 1215-1216 [2d Dep't 2017]). However, the deposition 

testimony of plaintiff and Panera regarding the lighting going out on several occasions 

demonstrates the existence of factual issues as to whether the problems with the lighting 

constituted a dangerous property condition. The Maserati Defendants, in moving have 

failed to demonstrate, as a matter of law, that they did not have control over the worksite 

and/or that they did not have actual or constructive notice of the issues with the lighting 

(De Vita v NYY Steak Manhattan, LLC, 214 AD3d 477, 478 [1st Dep't 2023]; Simon v 

Granite Building 2, LLC, 170 AD3d 1227, 1232-1233 [2d Dep't 2019], Iv denied34 NY3d 

904 [2019]; Honeyman, 154 AD3d at 822).4 Contrary to the Maserati Defendants' 

contentions, the fact that they delegated the installation and maintenance of the temporary 

lighting to First Quality is insufficient to demonstrate, in and of itself~ that they did not 

retain control over the worksite or authority to address the lighting issues .. These factual 

4 The court notes that, in moving, Maserati and CH Gowanus have made no argument and pointed to no evidence 

suggesting that their liability should be considered differently from that of NY Developers. 

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issues with respect to the lighting also preclude dismissal of the section 200 and commonlaw negligence claims against First Quality, the entity responsible for installing and 

maintaining the temporary lighting (Miano v Battery Place Green LLC, 117 AD3d 489, 

489-490 [1st Dep't 2014]; Beltran v Navillus Tile, Inc., 108 AD3d 414, 415 [1st Dep't 

2013]). 

Contribution, Indemnification, and Insurance Issues 

In view of the above discussed factual issues with respect to First Quality's liability 

for the lighting conditions on the premises, First Quality is not entitled to dismissal of the 

Maserati Defendants' cross-claim for contribution from it (Romanov New York City Tr. 

Auth., 213 AD3d 506, 508 [1st Dep't 2023]; Randazzo v Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, 

Inc., 177 AD3d 796, 798 [2d Dep't 2019]; State of New York v Defoe Corp., 149 AD3d 

889, 890 [2d Dep't 2017]). The portion of the Maserati Defendants' motion seeking 

summary judgment on their contribution claims against First Quality is denied as a party 

is only entitled to recover on a contribution claim upon a jury determination of 

apportionment of damages and the payment of damages in excess of that party's 

proportionate share of the judgment (Klinger v Dudley, 41 NY2d 362, 369 [1977]; CPLR 

1401, 1402). 

The issues with respect to First Quality's own negligence also require denial of the 

portion of its·motion seeking.dismissal of the common-law indemnification claims against 

it (Zong Wang Yang v City of New York, 207 AD3d 791, 796-797 [2d Dep't 2022]). The 

portion of the Mas_erati Defendants' motion seeking summary judgment in its favor on its 

common-law indemnification claim against First Quality must be denied in view of the 

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factual issues with respect to First Quality's negligence and the Maserati Defendants' own 

negligence (McDonnell v Sandaro Realty, Inc., 165 AD3d 1090, 1097-1098 [2d Dep't 

2018]; see also A1cCarthy v Turner Constr., Inc., 17 NY3d 369, 377-378 [2011]). 

Regarding the contractual indemnification provision, it provides, as is relevant here, 

that First Quality "shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless" each of the Maserati 

Defendants from claims "arising or alleged to arise from ... the performance of the Work 

under this Agreement, whether performed by Contractor, its Subcontractors and agents, or 

~nyone employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable ... 

regardless of whether or not it is caused in part by any or all of the Indemnitees hereunder, 

provided that this indemnity shall not extend to the liability of any Indemnitee from its own 

negligence or willful misconduct" (CH Gowanus - First Quality contract, Rider 1, § 15 (a) 

and Rider 1, Exhibit B § e). Indemnification provisions like this that apply for claims 

"arising" out of the work are broadly read in favor of the indemnitees and do not require a 

showing of negligence (Adagio v New York State Urban Dev. Corp., 168 AD3d 602, 603 

[1st Dep 't 2019]). However, in view of the factual issues as to whether the lighting had 

anything to do with the accident, and thus, whether the claim arose from First Quality's 

work within the meaning of the indemnification provision, the portions of First Quality's 

motion and the Maserati Defendants' motion relating to contractual indemnification must 

be denied (Nugra v Aramalla, 191 AD3d 683, 686 [2d Dep?t 2021 ]; Adagio, 168 AD3d at 

603; DeMaria, 129 AD3d at 626-627; Robbins v Goldman Sachs Headquarters, LLC, 102 

AD3d 414,415 [1st Dep't 2013]). 

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With respect to the breach of contract for failure to obtain insurance naming the 

Maserati Defendants as additional insureds cross claim, First Quality has submitted a copy 

of its general liability policy that contains a blanket additional insured endorsement 

providing that: 

"Who Is An Insured is amended to include as an additional 

insured any person or organization for whom you are 

performing operations when you and such person or 

organization have agreed in writing in a contract or agreement 

that such person or organization be added as an additional 

insured on your policy. Such person or organization is an 

additional insured only with respect to liability for 'bodily 

injury', 'property damage' or 'personal and advertising injury' 

caused, in whole or in part, by: 1. Your acts or omissions; or 2. 

The acts or omissions of those acting on your behalf; in the 

performance of your ongoing operations for the additional 

insured." 

Based on this endorsement, which also governs who is an additional insured on the 

umbrella policy·obtained by First Quality,5 First Quality's insurer, in a letter dated January 

6, 2021, disclaimed coverage for Maserati and NY Developers because they did not directly 

contract with First Quality. While First Quality's insurer, in a letter also dated January 6, 

2021, agreed to provide a defense to CH Gowanus, it did so with a full reservation of rights 

based on the portion of the endorsement limiting additional insured coverage for liability 

"caused whole or in part by ... [First Quality's] acts or omissions ... in the performance 

of [First Quality's) ongoing operations for the additional insured." 

5 The "Who is an Insured" provision of the umbrella policy provides, as is relevant here, that an insured includes 

"[a]ny additional insur!ld under the scheduled underlying general liability and professional errors and omissions 

policy will automatically be an insured under this insurance" (JJmbrella Policy, § Il [3]). 

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First Quality c01Tectly asserts that a blanket additional insured endorsement may 

generally satisfy the additional insured requirements of a construction contract (Lange,: v 

A1TA Capital Constr. Co., 184 AD3d 401, 402-403 [1st Dep't 2020]; Perez v Morse Diesel 

Intl., Intl., Inc., 10 AD3d 497,498 [1st Dep't 2004]; see also Kassis v Ohio Cas. Ins. Co., 

12 NY3d 595, 599-600 [2009]) and that disclaimer letters, in and of themselves, are 

generally insufficient to demonstrate that a party failed to obtain the required insurance 

(Perez, 10 AD3d at 498; KM0-361 Realty Assoc. v Podbielski, 254 AD2d 43, 44 [1st Dep't 

1998]; Garcia v Great Atl. & Pac. Tea Co., 231 AD2d 401,403 [1st Dep't 1996]; see also 

Dorset v 285 Madison Owner LLC, 214 AD3d 402,404 (1st Dep't 2023]; Binasco v BreakAway Demolition Corp., 256 AD2d 373, 375 [2d Dep't 1998]). Here, however, the 

disclaimer letter shows that First Quality's insurer denied coverage to both Maserati and 

NY Developers based on language in the endorsement that is essentially the same as 

language that has been found to limit coverage to entities that are in direct contractual 

privity with the named insured (Arch Specialty Ins. Co. v Nautilus Ins. Co., 213 AD3d 404, 

405 [1st Dep't 2023]; Dynatec Contr., Inc. v Burlington Ins. Co., 184 AD3d 475,475 [1st 

Dep't 2020]; see also Gilbane v Bldg. Co./TDX Constr. Corp. v St. Paul Fire & Mar. Ins. 

Co., 31 NY3d 131, 140 [2018]). As such, there are at least factual issues as to whether 

First Quality breached the terms of its contract with CH Gowanus, which required it to 

obtain insurance that named both Maserati and NY Developers as additional insureds 

(Roldan v New York Univ., 81 AD3d 625,629 [2d Dep't 2011]; Bachrow v Turner Constr. 

Corp., 46 AD3d 388, 388 [1st Dep't 2007]; Clapper v County of Albany, 188 AD2d 774, 

775-776 [3d Dep't 1992]). 

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On the other hand, this court finds that the Maserati Defendants have failed to 

demonstrate their entitlement to summary judgment in their favor based on First Quality's 

failure to get the correct insurance. Namely, although the language of the insurance 

procurement provision of CH Gowanus' contract with First Quality does not expressly 

limit First Quality's insurance procurement duties with any particular language, C<?urts 

have held that such contracts requiring that parties be named as additional insureds "mean 

that the additional insured is insured for all liability arising out of the activities covered by 

the agreement" (Ceron v Rector, 224 AD2d 475, 476 [2d Dep't 1996]; Roblee v Corning 

Community Coll., 134 AD2d 803, 804-805 [3d Dep't 1987], Iv denied72 NY2d 803 [1988]; 

see also Yondt v Boulevard Mall Co., 306 AD2d 882, 883 [4th Dep't 2003]; Belcastro v 

Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School Dist. No. 14, 286 AD2d 744, 746-747 [2d Dep't 

20011). As such, ifit is found that liability here did.not arise out of First Quality's activities 

on the project, its obligation to obtain additional insured coverage would not be triggered 

and First Quality's faih,1re to obtain appropriate coverage would not have resulted in any 

damages (Nicholson v Sabey Data Ctr. Props., LLC, 205 AD3d 620,622 [1st Dep't 2022]; 

New York City Hous. Auth." v Merchants Mut. Ins. Co., 44 AD3d 540, 542 [1st Dep't 2007]; 

Belcastro, 286 AD2d 747).6 

Finally, the Maserati Defendants are entitled to dismissal of the First Quality's cross 

claim for contractual indemnification and breach of contract for failure to obtain insurance 

6 The Court notes that requiring coverage for liability arising out of First Quality's-activities may be broader than the 

additional insured endorsement at issue here that covers liability for First Quality's "acts or omission," and, if 

liability is found to have arisen out of First Quality's activities but not an act or omission, CH Gowanus might have 

grounds for a breach of contract claim in the event that First Quality's insurer disclaims coverage for CH Gowanus 

based on its acts or omissions language in its endorsement (Bachrow, 46 AD3d at 388; Clapper v County of Albany, 

188 AD2d 774, 775-776 [3d Dep't 1992]; Roblee, 134 AD2d at 804-805). 

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because their contract has no provision requiring the Maserati Defendants to indemnify 

First Quality or obtain insurance benefiting First Quality. The factual issues regarding the 

liability of the Maserati Defendants' and First Quality for the accident pre_clude dismissal 

of First Quality's cross claim against the Maserati Defendants for common-law 

indemnification and contribution. 

CONCLUSION 

All arguments raised on the motions and evidence submitted by the parties in 

connection thereto have been considered by this Court, regardless of whether they are 

specifically discussed herein. 

Accordingly, it is hereby 

ORDERED, that First Quality's motion (Seq. 05) is granted to the extent that 

plaintiff's Labor Law §240(1) cause of action is dismissed as against it and plaintiff's 

Labor Law §241 ( 6) cause of action is dismissed with respect to Industrial Code 12 NYCRR 

§ § 23- l. 7 (f) and 23. l.21. First Quality's motion is otherwise denied; and it is further 

ORDERED, that the Maserati Defendants' motion (Seq. 06) is granted to the extent. 

that plaintiff's Labor Law §241 (6) cause of action is dismissed with respect to Industrial 

Code (12 NYCRR) §§ 23-1.7 (f) and 23-1.21 and granted to the extent that First Quality's 

cross claim against them for contractual indemnification and breach of contract for failure 

to obtain insurance are dismissed. The Maserati Defendants' motion is otherwise denied; 

and it is further 

ORDERED, that plaintiffs motion (Seq. 07) is granted to the extent of partial 

summary judgment on the issue of liability with regard to the Labor Law § 240 (1) cause 

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of action as against Maserati, CH Gowanus and NY Developers; plaintiffs motion is 

otherwise denied. 

In addition, in view of the parties' stipulation discontinuing the action as against CH 

Gowanus Holdings, LLC (NYSCEF Doc. No. 41 ), the caption is amended to read as 

follows: 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------X 

RICARDO GUZMAN VI VER OS, 

Plaintiff, 

-agai11stMASAERATI REALTY, LLC, CH GOWANUS, LLC, 

NY DEVELOPERS & MANAGERS, INC., NY 

DEVELOPERS & MANAGEMENT, LLC, and FIRST 

QUALITY ELECTRIC CORP., 

Defendants. 

Index No.: 508782/20 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------X 

This constitutes th~ decision and order of the court. 

22 

J.S.C. 

BON:WAVNY·musSAJNT 

J. s. c. 

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