Favorable Court of Appeals Decision Ends Injury Liability Lawsuit for Manufacturing Facility Owners

Hodgson Russ obtained a favorable decision for defendant-appellees Warner and Shirley Martin. New York State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, affirmed earlier summary judgment decisions issued by the Supreme Court and Fourth Department dismissing the plaintiff-appellant’s claim that Mr. and Ms. Martin, as owners of the manufacturing facility leased to plaintiff’s employer, were liable for the plaintiff-appellant’s injuries. The plaintiff’s claim was based on the argument that his activity of cleaning a structure was protected by Labor Law § 240 (1). The court disagreed with the plaintiff’s argument, holding that the plaintiff was not engaged in an activity protected by the statute. The court opined that Labor Law § 240 (1) is chiefly concerned with the safety of workers in the construction industry, not workers cleaning products in the course of a manufacturing process. The decision is a significant victory for manufacturers and the owners of manufacturing facilities across New York State. For more information, please consult the court’s official opinion.