Berman-Rey v. Gomez
The plaintiff, Gerson Berman-Rey, was allegedly injured when a plywood fence at a construction site fell and hit him. He was employed as an assistant carpenter on a renovation project owned by the defendants, Sigifredo Gomez and Liliana Gomez. Berman-Rey commenced an action alleging common-law negligence and violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240(1), and 241(6). The Supreme Court, Queens County, granted summary judgment to the defendants on the claims of common-law negligence and Labor Law §§ 200 and 240(1). The Appellate Division modified the order, denying summary judgment on common-law negligence and Labor Law § 200, finding triable issues of fact regarding the defendants' creation of or notice of the dangerous condition. However, the court affirmed the dismissal of the Labor Law § 240(1) claim, concluding that the falling fence was not an object being hoisted or requiring securing for the purpose of the undertaking.