Case Name: William G. Harmon et al., Plaintiffs, v. Al Ziehm, Individually and Doing Business as Al's Pitcher's Mound, Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Respondent, et al., Defendant. William G. Harmon, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1990-06-22
Citations: 162 A.D.2d 982
Docket Number: 
Parties: William G. Harmon et al., Plaintiffs, v Al Ziehm, Individually and Doing Business as Al’s Pitcher’s Mound, Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Respondent, et al., Defendant. William G. Harmon, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 162
Pages: 982–982

Head Matter:
William G. Harmon et al., Plaintiffs, v Al Ziehm, Individually and Doing Business as Al’s Pitcher’s Mound, Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff-Respondent, et al., Defendant. William G. Harmon, Inc., Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.

Opinion:
Order insofar as appealed from unanimously reversed on the law with costs and motion granted. Memorandum: The court erred in denying third-party defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing third-party plaintiff Ziehm's complaint against it. Third-party defendant met its initial burden of showing that it owed no duty to Ziehm or to plaintiff; without a duty, there can be no liability for contribution or indemnification (see, Nassau Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. v Facilities Dev. Corp., 71 NY2d 599, 603; Smith v Hooker Chem. & Plastics Corp., 83 AD2d 199, 201-202, Iv dismissed 56 NY2d 503). Nor can third-party defendant be held liable under Labor Law § 240 and 241. It had no authority to control the activity bringing about the injury, and thus could not avoid or correct an unsafe condition (see, Russin v Picciano & Son, 54 NY2d 311, 317-318; Kopacz v Airco Carbon, 104 AD2d 722). Third-party plaintiff's submission of an attorney's affidavit stating that unspecified EBT testimony revealed triable issues of fact regarding the nature of the relationship among third-party defendant, defendant Janowsky, and plaintiff was conclusory and insufficient to raise an issue of fact (see generally, GTF Mktg. v Colonial Aluminum Sales, 66 NY2d 965, 967-968). (Appeal from order of Supreme Court, Erie County, Sedita, J.—summary judgment.) Present—Callahan, J. P., Denman, Pine, Balio and Lawton, JJ.