Graybill v. City of New York
Plaintiff Christopher Graybill, a construction worker, sued the City of New York and the Port Authority for injuries sustained while cleaning debris at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. The Port Authority removed the case to federal court, citing Section 408(b)(3) of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, which grants exclusive federal jurisdiction for claims 'resulting from or relating to the terrorist-related aircraft crashes' of September 11, 2001. Judge Hellerstein denied federal jurisdiction, holding that the case, involving injuries common to general construction sites and New York Labor Law claims, does not fall under the exclusive federal jurisdiction intended by Congress, as the duties and risks were not unique to the special conditions of the 9/11 site. The case was remanded to the New York Supreme Court.