DEFENDANT CITY DEMONSTRATED IT DID NOT EXERCISE ANY SUPERVISORY CONTROL OVER THE MANNER OF PLAINTIFF’S WORK IN THIS LABOR LAW 200 ACTION; THEREFORE THE CITY’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (SECOND DEPT). ​

The Second Department, reversing (modifying) Supreme Court, determined the city’s motion for summary judgment on the Labor Law 200 cause of action in this construction accident case should have been granted. The city did not exercise any control over the manner of plainitiff’s work:

“Labor Law § 200 is a codification of the common-law duty of property owners and general contractors to provide workers with a safe place to work” … . “Where, as here, the plaintiff’s injuries arise from the manner in which the work is performed, to be held liable under Labor Law § 200, ‘a defendant must have the authority to exercise supervision and control over the work'” … . Evidence of mere general supervisory authority to oversee the progress of the work, to inspect the work product, or to make aesthetic decisions is insufficient to impose liability under Labor Law § 200 … . Here, the City established, prima facie, that it did not exercise any supervision or control over the method or manner in which the plaintiff’s work was performed … . Jarnutowski v City of Long Beach, 2022 NY Slip Op 06474, Second Dept 11-16-22

Practice Point: In order to be liable under Labor Law 200, where the construction-related injury was caused by the manner in which the work was done, the defendant must exercise supervisory control over the work.