Nicometi v. Vineyards of Fredonia, LLC

OPINION OF THE COURT

In this personal injury action, we are called upon to determine whether Labor Law § 240 (1) applies where plaintiff sustained injuries after he slipped on ice and fell to the floor while using stilts to install insulation in a ceiling. Because we

The Appellate Division granted defendants and plaintiff leave to appeal and cross-appeal, certifying the question whether its order was properly made ( 109 AD3d 1220 [4th Dept 2013]). For the reasons that follow, we answer the certified question in the negative, and modify the Appellate Division order accordingly.

IL

Defendants argue that the courts below erred in holding that Labor Law § 240 (1) applies here. According to defendants, plaintiffs accident was not the result of an elevation-related risk but, rather, was the result of an ordinary construction site danger — the presence of ice — which is not the type of injury covered by the statute. Defendants contend that our resolution of this appeal is controlled by our rejection of section 240 (1) liability in Melber v 6333 Main St. ( 91 NY2d 759 [1998]), which they claim is virtually indistinguishable. We agree.

Pursuant to Labor Law § 240 (1), owners and contractors engaged “in the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure,” except certain owners of one- and two-family dwellings, must “furnish or erect . . . scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person” employed in the performance of such labor. Section 240 (1) aims to “protect workers and to impose the responsibility for safety practices on those best situated to bear that responsibility” (Ross v Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 NY2d 494 , 500 [1993]; see Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, 65 NY2d 513 , 520 [1985]). To achieve that goal, the statute “imposes absolute liability where the failure to provide [proper] protection is a proximate cause of a worker’s injury” (Fabrizi v 1095 Ave. of the Ams., L.L.C., 22 NY3d 658 , 662 [2014]; see Wilinski v 334 E. 92nd Hous. Dev. Fund Corp., 18 NY3d 1 , 7 [2011]).

Nevertheless, it is settled that “the extraordinary protections of the statute in the first instance apply only to a narrow class

Consequently, the protections of Labor Law § 240 (1) “do not encompass any and all perils that may be connected in some tangential way with the effects of gravity” (Ross, 81 NY2d at 501 ; see Ortiz v Varsity Holdings, LLC, 18 NY3d 335 , 339 [2011]; Berg v Albany Ladder Co., Inc., 10 NY3d 902 , 904 [2008]; Narducci v Manhasset Bay Assoc., 96 NY2d 259 , 267 [2001]). “Rather, liability [remains] contingent upon the existence of a hazard contemplated in section 240 (1) and the failure to use, or the inadequacy of, a safety device of the kind enumerated therein” (Narducci, 96 NY2d at 267 ; see Berg, 10 NY3d at 904 ). Moreover, section 240 (1) is not applicable unless the plaintiffs injuries result from the elevation-related risk and the inadequacy of the safety device (see Fabrizi, 22 NY3d at 663 ; Runner, 13 NY3d at 603 ; Cohen, 11 NY3d at 825 ; Narducci, 96 NY2d at 268 ; Melber, 91 NY2d at 764 ).

We apply the foregoing principles to determine whether plaintiffs accident invokes the protections of Labor Law § 240 (1); to that end, the parties rightfully focus on our decision in Melber ( 91 NY2d 759 ), although they disagree as to its effect here. In Melber, the plaintiff was standing on 42-inch stilts while installing metal studs in the top of a drywall (see id. at 761 ). The plaintiff walked away from the drywall, without removing his stilts, in order to retrieve a tool (see id.). While walking, the plaintiff “tripped over electrical conduit protruding from the unfinished floor and fell to the ground” (id.). As in this case, we were asked to determine whether the plaintiffs accident fell within the purview of Labor Law § 240 (1) (see id. at 762 ). We held that it did not, reasoning that

“the conduit is a risk that can [not] be avoided by proper placement or utilization of one of the de

vices listed in Labor Law § 240 (1). The protective equipment envisioned by the statute is simply not designed to avert the hazard plaintiff encountered here. . . .

“The stilts, moreover, performed the function Labor Law § 240 (1) required of them: allowing plaintiff to safely complete his work at a height. Had they failed while plaintiff was installing the metal studs in the top of the drywall — work requiring the statute’s special protections — a different case would be presented. But here, . . . injury resulted from a separate hazard — electrical conduit protruding from the floor. Even if the stilts failed to avoid that pitfall, plaintiffs injuries allegedly flowed from a deficiency in the device that was wholly unrelated to the hazard which brought about its need in the first instance” {id. at 763-764 [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]).

Thus, while the electrical conduit was certainly a “hazard in the workplace against which employees should be protected,” it was not a “special” elevation-related hazard as contemplated by section 240 (1) (Melber, 91 NY2d at 763 ).

The dispositive question under Melber is not, as plaintiff contends, whether plaintiff was actively performing a construction task — as compared to retrieving a tool in furtherance of that objective — at the exact moment of his accident (see id. at 763-764 ; see also Saint v Syracuse Supply Co., 25 NY3d 117 , 124-125 [2015] [decided today]; Prats v Port Auth. of N.Y. & N.J., 100 NY2d 878 , 881-882 [2003]). Indeed, while not favorable to plaintiff under the particular facts here, were we to hold that Melber draws a distinction between whether plaintiff was swinging a hammer tacker when he slipped or taking a step forward to retrieve a tool, such a holding would generally be illogical and inconsistent with the purpose and liberal interpretation of section 240 (1) to protect workers (see Prats, 100 NY2d at 881-882 ). Rather, the relevant and proper inquiry is whether the hazard plaintiff encountered on the stilts was a separate hazard “ ‘ “wholly unrelated to the hazard which brought about [the] need [for a safety device] in the first instance” ’ ” (Melber, 91 NY2d at 764 , quoting Ross, 81 NY2d at 501 ). This is because, regardless of the type of safety device involved, liability arises under Labor Law § 240 (1) only where the plaintiffs injuries are the “direct consequence” of an

By so holding, we do not “expand [ ]” or “extend” Melber (dissenting op at 102, 103). Indeed, our view of Melber is consistent with, and reinforced by, an examination of our application of this principle in subsequent cases. In Nieves v Five Boro A.C. & Refrig. Corp., where the plaintiff stepped off a ladder with one foot and tripped over a portable light, we held that Labor Law § 240 (1) did not apply because the injury was caused by a “usual and ordinary danger [ ] at [the] construction site,” which was distinct and unrelated to the elevation-related risk that called for the ladder in the first instance ( 93 NY2d 914 , 916 [1999]). More recently, we held that “the presence of two unconnected pipes protruding from a wall” was a “ ‘usual and ordinary danger[ ]’ ” (Cohen, 11 NY3d at 825 , quoting Nieves, 93 NY2d at 916 ). Thus, the plaintiff who tripped over the pipes and fell while descending a ladder was not entitled to “the ‘extraordinary protections of Labor Law § 240 (1)’ ” (Cohen, 11 NY3d at 825 , quoting Nieves, 93 NY2d at 915 ; see Mc-Nabb v Oot Bros., Inc., 64 AD3d 1237 , 1239 [4th Dept 2009] [section 240 (1) did not apply where the plaintiff tripped over an electrical cord while working on stilts because injury was not caused by an elevation-related risk]; Russell v Widewaters S. Bay Rd. Assoc., 289 AD2d 1025 , 1025 [4th Dept 2001] [same]; Garcia v Mt. Airy Estates, Inc., 35 Misc 3d 1208 [A], 2012 NY Slip Op 50615 [U], *3 [Sup Ct, Richmond County 2012] [section 240 (1) inapplicable where the plaintiff tripped over “debris” on stilts]).

Here, plaintiffs accident was plainly caused by a separate hazard — ice—unrelated to any elevation risk. Plaintiff testified that stilts were the appropriate device for the type of work that he was undertaking, given the height of this particular ceiling. Plaintiffs testimony further established that it was the ice — not a deficiency or inadequacy of the stilts — that caused his fall. The ice that caused plaintiff to slip is indistinguishable from electrical conduit, a portable light, or protruding pipes, none of which are hazards that call for elevation-related protective devices. As in Melber, “[t]he protective equipment envisioned by the statute is simply not designed to avert the hazard plaintiff encountered” (91 NY2d at 763). Plaintiffs accident was, therefore, not “attributable to” a “risk[ ] arising from construction work site elevation differentials” (Runner, 13 NY3d at 603 ). Nor did the stilts “fail[ ]” plaintiff by, for example,

Plaintiffs reliance on Klein v City of New York ( 89 NY2d 833 [1996]) and case law concerning the placement of ladders is also unpersuasive. In Klein, the plaintiff sustained injuries when he fell from a ladder that slipped out from underneath him because the floor had recently been flooded with a slick and greasy water, and a “film” or “ ‘gunk’ ” residue remained (id. at 834). There, we noted that Labor Law § 240 (1) “requires that safety devices such as ladders be so ‘constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection’ to a worker” (id. at 834-835, quoting Labor Law § 240 [1]). Because the defendant had “fail[ed] to ensure the proper placement of the ladder due to the condition of the floor,” plaintiff established a prima facie case of liability under the statute (see id. at 835 [emphasis added]).

However, as we have previously stated, Labor Law § 240 (1) “should be construed with a commonsense approach to the realities of the workplace at issue” (Salazar v Novalex Contr. Corp., 18 NY3d 134 , 140 [2011]). Thus, although we are mindful that the statute is to “ ‘ “be construed as liberally as may be for the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was thus framed” ’ ” (Melber, 91 NY2d at 762 , quoting Zimmer, 65 NY2d at 521 ), we are careful not to interpret the statute in an “illogical” manner that “would be impractical and contrary to the very work at hand” (Salazar, 18 NY3d at 140 ). Unlike ladders, stilts are not “placed” in a stationary position and expected to remain still to ensure their proper and safe use. Rather, stilts are intended to function as extensions of, and move with, the worker during performance of the designated task. Thus, the imposition of liability under section 240 (1) where a ladder slips due to an unsafe condition on the floor in the area where it is placed is distinguishable from the circumstances of plaintiffs accident here (see generally Melber, 91 NY2d at 762 ).

In sum, plaintiff cannot recover under Labor Law § 240 (1) because his injuries resulted from a slip on ice, which — under these facts — is a separate hazard unrelated to the elevation risk that necessitated the provision of a safety device in the first instance. Moreover, as plaintiff concedes, any alleged violations of the Industrial Code do not establish a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1) (see generally Long v Forest-Fehlhaber, 55 NY2d 154 , 160 [1982]; Perri v Gilbert Johnson Enters., Ltd., 14 AD3d 681 , 684 [2d Dept 2005]; Blair v Rosen-Michaels, Inc., 146

Accordingly, the order of the Appellate Division should be modified, without costs, by granting defendant Winter-Pfohl’s motion for partial summary judgment dismissing the Labor Law § 240 (1) claim against it and, as so modified, affirmed, and the certified question answered in the negative.

(dissenting). The majority would have us believe that while ladders placed on slippery substances present an elevation-related risk, stilts under the same circumstances do not. Because I believe stilts placed on ice create the same “elevation-related risk” as do ladders, I would hold that Labor Law § 240 (1) applies here.

The majority expands Melber v 6333 Main St. ( 91 NY2d 759 [1998]) by asserting that “were we to hold that Melber draws a distinction between whether plaintiff was swinging a hammer tacker when he slipped or taking a step forward to retrieve a tool, such a holding would generally be illogical and inconsistent with the purpose and liberal interpretation of section 240 (1) to protect workers.” If the majority were true to Melber, plaintiff would prevail because he was installing insulation at a height at the time of his fall.

If there is an inconsistency in Melber, it should be resolved in favor of plaintiff given the statute’s intent. As the Melber Court and the majority here aptly remind us, this Court has “repeatedly recognized” that Labor Law § 240 (1) is to be “construed as liberally as may be for the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was thus framed,” which is “the protection of work[ers] from injury” (Melber, 91 NY2d at 762 , quoting Zimmer v Chemung County Performing Arts, 65 NY2d 513 , 520-521 [1985]; Quigley v Thatcher, 207 NY 66 , 68 [1912]). The legislature intended to “protect [ ] workers by placing ultimate responsibility for safety practices at building construction jobs where such responsibility actually belongs, on the owner and general contractor, instead of on workers, who are scarcely in a position to protect themselves from accident” (Zimmer, 65 NY2d at 520 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]).

Because we are required to interpret the statute liberally to protect workers (Zimmer, 65 NY2d at 520-521 ), I disagree with

The majority finds that ice “is indistinguishable from electrical conduit, a portable light, or protruding pipes.” However, when stilts or ladders are placed on top of ice, the combination of the two presents and exacerbates elevation-related risks.

We said as much in Klein v City of New York ( 89 NY2d 833 [1996]), where this Court reasoned that an owner violated Labor Law § 240 (1) “by failing to ensure the proper placement of the ladder due to the condition of the floor” (id. at 835). The plaintiff fell when a ladder that he had placed in a puddle of “gunk” on the floor slipped underneath him (id. at 834). In a similar case, Bland v Manocherian ( 66 NY2d 452 [1985]), this Court held that Labor Law § 240 (1) applied where a worker fell through a window when a ladder, which was placed on a “highly polished and shiny” floor, slipped out from under him (id. at 460). Ladders, like stilts, must be moved as the worker moves, and thus placement is equally important for stilts. To the extent the majority indicates that the stilts themselves have to break in order for a plaintiff to make out a Labor Law § 240 (1) claim, that view is contradicted by the language of the statute and by our case law. As Klein and Bland make plain, Labor Law § 240 (1) requires that equipment be so “constructed, placed and operated” as to give proper protection to a worker, and where employers order workers to use stilts or ladders in unsafe places (ordering them essentially to work around a hazard, as occurred here), Labor Law § 240 (1) should apply.

For these reasons, I would not dismiss plaintiffs Labor Law § 240 (1) cause of action.

Judges Read, Pigott, Rivera and Abdus-Salaam concur; Chief Judge Lippman dissents in an opinion; Judge Fahey taking no part.