Mitchell v. Route 21 Associates
The case involves an appeal by defendants Route 21 Associates and Max Finkelstein, Inc., from an order denying their motion for summary judgment in a personal injury action. The plaintiff, an employee of Rapid Dismantling Corporation, was injured while removing asbestos from a warehouse owned by Route 21 Associates and leased by Max Finkelstein, Inc. Applying New Jersey law, the court found that a landowner is not liable for injuries to an independent contractor's employee resulting from the contracted work, provided there was no interference. The appellants demonstrated they exercised no supervision or control, and the respondents failed to present a triable issue of fact. Consequently, the order was reversed, summary judgment was granted, and the complaint and cross claims against the appellants were dismissed.