Knowledge of Dangerous Condition May Make Owner Liable Even Where Owner Exercises No Supervisory Control Over Contractor’s Operation.

The Fourth Department held: “ ‘It is settled law that where the alleged defect or dangerous condition arises from the contractor’s methods and the owner exercises no supervisory control over the operation, no liability attached to the owner under the common law or under section 200 of the Labor Law …’.  Defendant, however, may be liable for common-law negligence or the violation of Labor Law [section] 200 if it ‘had actual or constructive notice of the allegedly dangerous condition on the premises which caused the … plaintiff’s injuries, regardless of whether [it] supervised [plaintiff’s] work’ …”.  Ferguson vs Hanson Aggregates New York, Inc. 1460 CA 12-00596 Fourth Dept. 2-1-13