Global Imports Outlet, Inc. v Signature Group, LLC

Global Imports Outlet, Inc. v Signature Group, LLC 2011 NY Slip Op 08663 Decided on December 1, 2011 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

Decided on December 1, 2011
Gonzalez, P.J., Andrias, Saxe, Sweeny, JJ.
5683 602695/07 111425/08

[*1]Global Imports Outlet, Inc., doing business as Global Fine Reproductions, Plaintiff-Respondent,

v

The Signature Group, LLC, et al., Defendants, Cast Iron Company, LLC, et al., Defendants-Appellants. [And Other Actions]




Mischel & Horn, P.C., New York (Scott T. Horn of counsel),
for appellants.
Frankfort & Koltun, Deer Park (Scott A. Koltun of counsel),
for respondent.

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Joan M. Kenney, J.), entered on or about February 10, 2011, which denied defendants Cast Iron Company, LLC (Cast Iron) and Monaco Management, Inc.'s (Monaco) motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaints as against them, unanimously reversed, on the law, without costs, and the motion granted. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly.

Plaintiff Global's president testified that he spoke to the "super of the building, meaning the management people" about a concern that defendant Western Spirit was doing electrical renovation work in an unsafe manner. He also indicated that "one of the people from the building," possibly "the super" actually saw Western Spirit's unsafe work. However, given that neither Cast Iron, the out-of-possession landlord of the building's retail space, nor Monaco, Cast Iron's managing agent, had responsibility for the building superintendents, Global's president's testimony raises no issue as to whether either of these defendants had any notice of a hazardous condition.
Moreover, the theory of res ipsa loquitur is inapplicable against the appealing defendants because neither had exclusive control of the space occupied by Western Spirit, where the fire originated (see Morejon v Rais Constr. Co., 7 NY3d 203, 209 [2006]).

Finally, the subrogation action should be dismissed as against both defendants because [*2]Global waived its right to subrogation in the commercial lease it entered into with Cast Iron, as landlord, and the waiver applies to Monaco, as management company, as well (see Foremost Furniture Showroom, Inc. v 830 W. Co., 73 AD3d 491 [2010]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER
OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.

ENTERED: DECEMBER 1, 2011

CLERK