Edwards v. Twenty-Four Twenty-Six Main Street Associates
The plaintiff, an employee of Hayim & Company, a carpet warehouse, suffered personal injuries when he fell approximately six feet while replacing a plywood shelf at his workplace. He had initially received Workers' Compensation benefits for his injuries. Subsequently, the plaintiff commenced an action against the premises owner, Twenty-Four Twenty-Six Main Street Associates, alleging a failure to provide a safe workplace under the Labor Law. The Supreme Court granted the defendant owner's motion for summary judgment, thereby dismissing the complaint against them. On appeal, the order was affirmed, with the court concluding that Labor Law § 240 (1) does not apply to routine maintenance outside of a construction or renovation context, and Labor Law § 200 liability was inapplicable as the defendant owner did not maintain direction or control over the plaintiff's duties.