PLAINTIFF ENTITLED TO SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON HIS LABOR LAW 240 (1) CAUSE OF ACTION, A CABLE TRAY FELL ON HIS HEAD FROM THE TOP OF TWO LADDERS, A SUBCONTRACTOR WAS LIABLE BECAUSE THE CONTRACT DELEGATED THE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL THE WORK TO THE SUBCONTRACTOR, THE LESSEE WAS LIABLE AS AN “OWNER” WITHIN THE MEANING OF LABOR LAW 240 (1) (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department determined plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment on his Labor Law 240 (1) cause of action was properly granted. A cable tray that was on top of two ladders fell on plaintiff’s head. The court further noted that USIS was liable as an agent of the owner because the subcontract delegated the authority to control the work to USIS, and AECOM. the lessee, was liable as an “owner” within the meaning of Labor Law 240 (1):

The cable tray that fell on plaintiff’s head from atop two ladders was an object that required securing to prevent it from falling … . The distance the tray fell was not de minimis and “the harm to plaintiff was the direct consequence of the application of the force of gravity” upon the unsecured cable tray … . Moreover, securing the cable tray against falling would not have been contrary to the purpose of the work … .

Supreme Court correctly concluded that USIS Systems was liable under Labor Law § 240(1) as an agent of the owner … . Here, the terms of the subcontract by which USIS Systems subcontracted the work to USIS Electric demonstrate that USIS Systems had been delegated authority to direct and control the work … . Moreover, as premises lessee which contracted for the work, AECOM was an owner within the meaning of Labor Law § 240(1) … . Tropea v Tishman Constr. Corp., 2019 NY Slip Op 03533, First Dept 5-7-19