When a crane he was operating collapsed -- supposedly due to "improper maintenance" -- Shalabi Ali sued the building's owner, Richmond Industrial Corp. (RIC), in the Richmond County Supreme Court, claiming Labor Law violations.
After RIC was found liable for Ali's injuries, an appeal to the Appellate Division, Second Department, followed.
The AD2 found RIC wasn't immune merely because it was an out-of-possession landlord. Apparently, there was a "clear nexus" between RIC and Shalabi and none of the other statutory exceptions applied (or were properly raised).
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Ali v. Richmond Indus. Corp.