Jeanette Haimes, as Administratrix of the Estate of Edward Haimes v. New York Telephone Company

Summary

The Court held that under section 240 of the New York Labor Law a building owner is strictly liable for safety violations even without control or supervision of the work, and that the statute’s protection extends to independent contractors such as the decedent. The appellate division’s reversal of the trial term’s dismissal was affirmed, and the case was remanded for a determination of damages.