Mendoza v. Enchante Accessories, Inc.
The plaintiff, Jesus Mendoza, sued Enchante Accessories, Inc. for personal injuries after falling from a stock picking machine in a warehouse. Mendoza alleged Enchante was negligent in supervision, training, and providing safety equipment. Enchante countered that it had ceded control of the warehouse and that safety devices were available, with Mendoza's non-use being the sole cause. A jury found both parties negligent, assigning 25% liability to Enchante. The Supreme Court denied Enchante's post-trial motions for judgment as a matter of law, to set aside the verdict, or to amend its answer to include a Workers' Compensation defense. The Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's order, concluding that sufficient evidence supported the jury's findings and that Enchante's motion to amend its answer was procedurally deficient and lacked substantive proof.