Dismissal of Labor Law 240, 241 and 200 Actions

In affirming the dismissal of Labor Law causes of action against a defendant who was not an owner, contractor or statutory agent, and who did not supervise or control work performance, the Second Department explained the relevant principles:

Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) apply to owners, contractors, and their agents (see Labor Law §§ 240[1], 241[6];…). A party is deemed to be an agent of an owner or general contractor under the Labor Law when it has supervisory control and authority over the work being done where a plaintiff is injured…. Similarly, where, as here, a claim against a defendant arises out of alleged defects or dangers in the methods or materials of the work, recovery cannot be had under Labor Law § 200 or pursuant to the principles of common-law negligence unless it is shown that the party to be charged under that theory of liability had the authority to supervise or control the performance of the work .   Medina v RM Resources, 2013 NY Slip Op 04582, 2nd Dept, 6-19-13