Aversano v. JWH Contracting, LLC
Paul Aversano, an electrician for Elite Electrical Enterprises, Inc., sustained personal injuries from a ladder fall at Albert Witte's home. He and other plaintiffs appealed a Supreme Court decision regarding liability under Labor Law § 240 (1) against JWH Contracting, LLC. The Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and granted JWH's motion to dismiss the cause of action. The appellate court affirmed, ruling that JWH was neither a general contractor nor a statutory agent responsible for worker safety, as Witte independently hired and supervised contractors, and JWH lacked authority over Elite's operations. The court found JWH was not liable under Labor Law § 240 (1).