Jones v. 414 Equities LLC
A demolition worker, Jones, fell 10-12 feet when a permanent floor collapsed during renovation. He sued the owner, 414 Equities LLC, and general contractor, Artimus Construction, Inc., under Labor Law §§ 200, 240(1), and 241(6) and common-law negligence. Plaintiff moved for summary judgment on Labor Law § 240(1) liability, arguing an elevation-related risk and lack of safety devices, and the floor's decay. The Supreme Court denied this motion, ruling that a permanent floor collapse only posed an elevation-related risk if foreseeable, and plaintiff's evidence was insufficient. The Supreme Court also denied plaintiff's motion for a default judgment against the general contractor and granted the contractor's cross-motion for leave to serve a late answer. This appellate court affirmed both Supreme Court orders, concluding that foreseeability is required for Labor Law § 240(1) liability in permanent floor collapse cases, and finding the general contractor's brief delay in answering excusable.