Source: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ny-supreme-court/1682119.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 05:14:53+00:00

Document:
Before: Lahtinen, J.P., Stein, McCarthy, Rose and Devine, JJ. Thompson Hine, LLP, New York City (Richard De Palma of counsel), for appellant. Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes, PC, Glens Falls (John D. Wright of counsel), for Jennifer Marston, respondent. Braverman Greenspun, PC, New York City (Steven R. Goldstein of counsel), for Parsons Engineering of New York, Inc., respondent. Hanlon & Veloce, Latham (Christine D'Addio Hanlon of counsel), for Saratoga Safety, Inc., respondent.
Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court (Hall Jr., J.), entered July 9, 2013 in Washington County, which, among other things, denied a motion by defendant URS Corporation to dismiss the complaint against it.
URS argues that plaintiff failed to sufficiently state a Jones Act violation by failing to allege that decedent was a “seaman” under the statute and that, even if a claim was properly stated, the affidavits submitted in support of the motion to dismiss conclusively establish that decedent does not qualify for seaman status under the Jones Act. We are not persuaded. Under the Jones Act, any seaman or his or her representative may bring a civil action to recover for injury or death sustained in the course of employment (see 46 USC § 30104). While there is no statutory definition of a seaman, it has been held that, in order to qualify as one, an employee's duties must contribute to the function of the vessel or accomplishment of its mission and the employee must have “a connection to a vessel in navigation ․ that is substantial in terms of both its duration and its nature” (Chandris, Inc. v. Latsis, 515 U.S. 347, 368 ; accord Smith v. Lone Star Indus., 1 AD3d 860, 862  ). Here, the failure to specifically use the word “seaman” in the complaint is not fatal, inasmuch as allegations that decedent drowned while operating URS's vessel on the Hudson River in the course of his employment, and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, suffice to provide notice of plaintiff's Jones Act claim (see e.g. Pludeman v Northern Leasing Sys., Inc., 10 NY3d 486, 492–493 ; Banc of Am. Sec. LLC v. Solow Bldg. Co. II, L.L.C., 47 AD3d 239, 242–243  ).
applicable, the motion to dismiss those cross claims was also properly denied. Finally, a determination of whether Saratoga Safety and Parsons qualify as “representatives” of GE so as to require URS to indemnify them pursuant to its contract with GE requires factual proof as to the parties' intent and, accordingly, URS's pre-answer motion to dismiss was properly denied as well (see e.g. Vaughns v. Kirkland, 85 AD3d 770, 770 ; Four Seasons Hotels v. Vinnik, 127 A.D.2d 310, 318 ; Kushner v. King, 126 A.D.2d 466, 467–468  ).
Lahtinen, J.P., Stein, McCarthy and Devine, JJ., concur.
FN1. Contrary to plaintiff's claim, the filing of the amended complaint does not render the appeal moot inasmuch as the Jones Act cause of action has not been altered (see EDP Hosp. Computer Sys. v. Bronx–Lebanon Hosp. Ctr., 212 A.D.2d 570, 571  ).. FN1. Contrary to plaintiff's claim, the filing of the amended complaint does not render the appeal moot inasmuch as the Jones Act cause of action has not been altered (see EDP Hosp. Computer Sys. v. Bronx–Lebanon Hosp. Ctr., 212 A.D.2d 570, 571  ).
FN2. While URS also sought dismissal of the Jones Act claim pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1), the affidavits it submitted do not constitute “documentary evidence” pursuant to that statute (see Matter of North Dock Tin Boat Assn., Inc. v New York State Off. of Gen. Servs., 96 AD3d 1186, 1189 n ; Crepin v. Fogarty, 59 AD3d 837, 838  ).. FN2. While URS also sought dismissal of the Jones Act claim pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1), the affidavits it submitted do not constitute “documentary evidence” pursuant to that statute (see Matter of North Dock Tin Boat Assn., Inc. v New York State Off. of Gen. Servs., 96 AD3d 1186, 1189 n ; Crepin v. Fogarty, 59 AD3d 837, 838  ).

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