Todd Lawlor was attacked while in a bar and later sued the establishment's owners (in their personal capacities) in Queens County Supreme Court.
Since they were shareholders of a corporation, when the individual defendants asked for the case's dismissal as against them, the Supreme Court acquiesced.
On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, thought Lawlor hadn't established personal or individual liability.
In order to pierce a corporate veil, a party must establish the owners exercised complete control over the entity that such "dominion was used to commit fraud or wrong." Without those elements, the AD2 found the case's dismissal against the individual officers and stockholders was appropriate.
No sharing the misery there.
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Lawlor v. Hoffman