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HEARSAY INSUFFICIENT TO DEFEAT PLAINTIFF’S SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTION IN THIS LABOR LAW 240(1) AND 241(6) ACTION; THE INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION CLAIM WAS PROPERLY DISMISSED BECAUSE PLAINTIFF DID NOT SUFFER GRAVE INJURY WITHIN THE MEANING OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW 11 (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department determined hearsay was not sufficient to defeat plaintiff’s summary judgment in this Labor Law 240(1) and 241(6) case. In addition the indemnification and contribution claims were properly dismissed because plaintiff did not suffer a “grave injury” within the meaning of Workers’ Compensation Law 11:

Plaintiff commenced this action alleging, inter alia, violations of Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) seeking to recover for personal injuries he sustained when, while dismantling a scaffold in an elevator shaft of a building under renovation, he fell from the scaffold to the bottom of the shaft. … Plaintiff testified that his employer had instructed him to dismantle the scaffold and the sole support for Empire’s contention that dismantling the scaffold was outside the scope of his duties was inadmissible hearsay testimony. …

Pursuant to their contract, Empire agreed to indemnify Pen & Brush for damages, “arising from any act, omission, negligence, potential claims and losses” of, inter alia, Empire or its subcontractors “during the performance of the Contract.” Its indemnification obligation was triggered here where plaintiff’s injuries arose from the act of Empire’s subcontractor, Lough Allen, in dismantling the scaffold and a finding of negligence is not required … .

Supreme Court properly determined plaintiff had not sustained a grave injury and dismissed the common-law indemnification and contribution claims against Lough Allen … . As relevant here, “grave injury” within the meaning of Workers’ Compensation Law § 11 includes “an acquired injury to the brain caused by external physical force resulting in permanent total disability.” Permanent total disability in the context of Workers’ Compensation Law § 11 means unemployable in any capacity … . Clarke v Empire Gen. Contr. & Painting Corp., 2020 NY Slip Op 07698, First Dept 12-22-20

 

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