Shaw v. Scepter, Inc.
Mark A. Shaw, the plaintiff, sustained injuries while attempting to unload a man lift from a flatbed truck on the defendant Scepter, Inc.'s property. The incident occurred when the lift unexpectedly rolled off the flatbed, causing the lift's basket to fall and injure Shaw. The Supreme Court initially granted summary judgment, dismissing Shaw's claims under Labor Law, which was subsequently appealed. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, modified the Supreme Court's order, reinstating Shaw's Labor Law § 240 (1) claim and a portion of his Labor Law § 241 (6) claim. The court found that issues of fact existed regarding whether the lift was defective and if the defendant had notice of such a defect, thus precluding summary judgment for either party on these specific claims.