Lemus v. New York B Realty Corp.
The plaintiff, a construction worker, sustained injuries while maneuvering heavy steel beams at ground level on a construction site. He filed a lawsuit against the building owner, New York B Realty Corp., alleging a violation of Labor Law § 240 (1). The Supreme Court, Queens County, granted the defendant's motion for judgment as a matter of law, dismissing the Labor Law § 240 (1) cause of action, ruling that the plaintiff's injuries did not stem from an elevation-related risk as contemplated by the statute. The plaintiff appealed this decision. The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the lower court's judgment, agreeing that Labor Law § 240 (1) is applicable only to injuries resulting from physically significant elevation differentials and inadequate safety devices against such risks, which were not present in this case.