Valente v. Lend Lease (US) Construction LMB, Inc.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, with costs, and plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment on liability pursuant to Labor Law § 240 (1) denied. The certified question should be answered in the negative.

We agree with the Appellate Division that the fall of Frank Valente (plaintiff) was the result of an elevation-related risk for which Labor Law § 240 (1) provides protection. We further conclude, however, that there is a triable issue of fact whether plaintiff’s “own conduct, rather than any violation of Labor Law § 240 (1), was the…