Ferra v. County of Wayne
John Ferra, an employee of J & J Piping Corporation, was severely injured after falling from a ladder while working at the Wayne County jail construction site. He sued the County of Wayne, the building owner, for violating Labor Law § 240 (1), which mandates providing adequate safety equipment. The court found that the defendant owner breached this statutory duty, which proximately caused Ferra's injuries, thus imposing absolute liability. Consequently, the lower court's denial of the plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment was reversed, and the motion was granted. The defendant's cross-appeal was also deemed abandoned.