Homeowner’s Exemption Applied/Fact that Three Unrelated Families Lived in the Home Did Not Negate the Finding that the Home Was a Single Family Dwelling
The First Department determined defendants were entitled to dismissal of the complaint on the basis of the homeowner’s exemption to liability under Labor Law 241(6). The fact that three unrelated families lived in the home did not negate the finding that the home was a single-family dwelling:
Under the homeowner exemption, “owners of one and two-family dwellings who contract for but do not direct or control the work” are exempt from liability under Labor Law § 241(6). Here, defendants established that the premises was a single-family dwelling by submitting affidavits stating that they purchased the premises solely as a second residence for use by family and guests, that they had never used any of the portion of the premises for a commercial purpose, and that the barn in which plaintiff was injured was being converted into a recreational room for personal use … . Moreover, the affidavits of plaintiff’s employer and supervisor stating that they supervised plaintiff’s work and provided plaintiff with the tools for his work, including the saw that caused his injuries, along with defendants’ affidavits stating that they were not on site during the construction work, show that defendants did not direct, supervise, or control plaintiff’s work… . …
To the extent plaintiff’s affidavit states that three different unrelated families, including defendants’ family, the household staff, and the groundskeeper, lived at the premises, such is insufficient to negate a finding of a single-family dwelling. Under the circumstances presented, defendants and their staff were “living together and maintaining a common household” … . Furthermore, the certificate of occupancy lists all of the buildings under one address, and the alteration work on all of the buildings was covered by one building permit, also listing one address … . Patino v Drexler, 2014 NY Slip Op 02537, 1st Dept 4-15-14