Satnam Singh sued the City of New York after he fell off of a ladder while performing renovation work at a public school library.
When his request to have the City found liable for his injuries was denied by the Richmond County Supreme Court, Singh appealed.
In order to establish entitlement to relief under New York State's Labor Law, Singh had to show that the ladder was "defective or inadequately secured," and that that irregularity was the cause of his injury. (The mere fact that he fell off the ladder wasn't enough to satisfy that standard.)
Absent sufficient proof as to the accident's cause, and because the parties presented conflicting versions of what occurred, the Appellate Division, Second Department, thought there were "issues of fact," liability couldn't be found based on the papers presented, and that the matter needed to proceed to a formal hearing or trial.
Isn't that the same old song?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Singh v. City of New York