X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

10877. ROBERT GOVE, plf-res, v. PAVARINI MCGOVERN, LLC def-ap — McGaw, Alventosa & Zajac, Jericho (Ross P. Masler of counsel), for ap — O’Dwyer & Bernstien, LLP, New York (Steven Aripotch of counsel), for res — Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Eileen A. Rakower, J.), entered July 20, 2012, which granted plaintiff’s motion for partial summary judgment on his Labor Law §240(1) claim, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

Plaintiff testified that he was injured when a bundle of rebar that his coworker was lowering by rope fell and hit him. As plaintiff struggled to keep himself and the bundle from falling off his unguarded platform onto several workers on the level below him, his foot hit an unknown item on the platform, causing him to twist his back. This evidence establishes prima facie that plaintiff’s injuries were proximately caused, at least in part, by defendants’ failure to provide him with proper protection as required by Labor Law §240(1) (see Runner v. New York Stock Exch., Inc., 13 NY3d 599, 603 [2009]). Defendants failed to raise an issue of fact by pointing to an alleged discrepancy between plaintiff’s testimony and his handwritten statement on a form seeking medical treatment. The statement on the medical form does not conflict with the testimony establishing that “plaintiff’s injuries were the direct consequence of a failure to provide adequate protection against a risk arising from a physically significant elevation differential” (id.; see McCay v. J.A. Jones-GMO, LLC, 74 AD3d 615 [1st Dept 2010]; see also Susko v. 337 Greenwich LLC, 103 AD3d 434 [1st Dept 2013]). Even if plaintiff’s injuries resulted in part from tripping or slipping on an object on the platform, the uncontroverted evidence demonstrates that these injuries resulted directly from the elevation-related risks that required plaintiff to struggle with the bundle of rebar (see Skow v. Jones, Lang & Wooton Corp., 240 AD2d 194, 195 [1st Dept 1997], lv denied 94 NY2d 758 [1999]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 04, 2025
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More

Company DescriptionA prominent boutique AV rated Education Law firm located in Westbury, New York. Our firm specializes in education law, sp...


Apply Now ›

Seeking motivated and skilled litigation attorney to join our dynamic defense litigation firm. Role Involves:Conducting thorough research.Ha...


Apply Now ›

DEPUTY PORT ATTORNEY III Oakland, CA Salary: $17,294 - $21,419/month, 37.5-hr work week Your Port. Your Community. Your Career. Whe...


Apply Now ›