Banta Homes Corp. v Job Opportunities for Women

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Banta Homes Corp. v Job Opportunities for Women 2013 NY Slip Op 30326(U) January 23, 2013 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: 603029/2007 Judge: Shlomo S. Hagler Republished from New York State Unified Court System's E-Courts Service. Search E-Courts (http://www.nycourts.gov/ecourts) for any additional information on this case. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [* 1] Index Number : 603029/2007 BANTA HOMES JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN Sequence Number : 002 to ,were read This Motion (Sequence #002) and the Cross-Motion are both GRANTED as set forth in the attached separate Decision & Order 2. CHECK AS APPROPRIATE: .................... NTED UDENlED FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT [* 2] SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK C OlJN I Y NEW YORK: IAS PART 17 OF BANTA HOMES CORPORATION, Plaintiff, Index No. 60302912007 -against- ,JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, DefendantlThird-Party Plaintiff, Index No. 591129/2010 -againstLINDEN CONSTRUCTION CORP., CAR-WIN CONSTRUCTION INC., OLDC ASTLE PKECAST, INC., a/Wa OLDCASTLE PRlECAST EAST, INC., and YOHK RESTORATION CORPORATION. Third-party D e f p a l f S E . HON. SHLOMO S. HAGLER, J.S.C.: Motion Sequence Nos: 002,003 & 004 DECISION and ORDER ED I % , FEB 13 2013 1 NEW YORK 111rliis breach of contract and nc@&!!%X&&@%%m 002,003 and 004 ce numbers . ...d are consolidated for disposition. In motion sequence number 002, third-party defendant York Restoration Corporation ( York ) moves for an order, pursuant to CPLR 321 1, dismissing the third-party complaint for t i i l u r c to slate a cause of action. York is also seeking sanctions, attorneys fees and costs in this llla t t er . Third-partydef endant Oldcastle Precast, Jnc., a/k/a Oldcastle Precast East, Inc. ( Oldcastle ), cross-inovcs for an order, pursuant to CPLR $ 3212, for summary judgment dismissing the thirdparty complaint. [* 3] I II inotiun sequence number 003, third-party defendant Linden Construction Corporation ( Linden ) moves, pursuant to CPLR 5 3212, dismissing the third-party complaint and all cross- claims against it. I n motion sequence number 004, defendmuthird-party plaintiff Job Opportunities for Women ( .I(-)W ) niovcs, pursuant to CPLR 0 3025(b), for leave to amend the complaint. FACTUAL BACKGROUND The claims in this third-party action arise out of a breach of contract and negligence dispute between plaintiff Banta Homes Corporation ( Banta ) and JOW in the underlying action. On September 12, 2001, Baiita and JOW entered into a contract for installation of masonry work including, but not limited to, brick, mortar, blocks, lintels, stills and flashing work in and around all openings at the Harriet Tubman Gardens Mid Rise Apartments and Townhouse Projects located at 2235 Frederick Douglas Boulevard in New York City ( the Premises ). On November 21, 2001, Rants and Linden entered into an agreement for Linden to perform carpentry work which included installing doors, frames, niedicine cabinets, kitchen cabinets, and windows at the Premises (Exhibit K to Affidavit of Joseph P. FUSCO, dated March 12, 2012 [ Fusco Aff. ]). Uanta alleges JOW failed to properly perform the scope of the work in accordance with the plans and specifications of the project, thereby allowing water infiltration into the Premises. After it battcry of tests, Banta discovered that the flashing, associated with the masonry work at the Pretmises had been improperly installed. Flashing is an impervious material used in construction and installed at ajoint or angle of a structure to prevent the passage of water from penetrating into the structure fkom the exterior. On September 11, 2007, Ranta commenced a lawsuit against JOW -2- [* 4] .JO W argues that York is not entitled to dismissal because: (1) JOW has properly pled a cause of action for common-law indemnification, (2) York performed work at the Premises that included the removal and replacement of flashing, (3) additional discovery is needed to determine whether York s repair work was negligently performed and, therefore, it is unclear as to what extent York may have crcated or exacerbated the alleged damage. When a party moves to dismiss a complaint pursuant to CPLR 5 321 l(a)(7), the standard is whether the pleading states a cause of action, and, in considering such a motion, the court must accept the fdcts as alleged as true, accord plaintiff or plaintiffs the benefit of every possible favorable inference, and dctcrniine only whether the facts as alleged fit within any cognizable legal theory (Sokol v Leader, 74 AD3d 1 1 SO, 1 180-81 [2nd Dept 201 01 [internal quotation marks omitted]). IOW s first cause of action is a claim for common-law indemnification. The right to indemnification may be created by express contract or may be implied by law to prevent an unjust enricliment or an unfair result (7i.ustee.s of Columbiu Univ. v Mitchell/GiurgolrrAssocs., 109 AD2d 449,45 1-452 [ 1st Dept 19851). [C]omrnon law indemnification is available to a party that has been held vicariously liable from the party who was at fault in causing plaintiffs injuries or damages (S/~ lruclurc Tone, Inc. v lJniversaZ Servs. Group, Ltd,, 87 AD3d 909,911 [lst Dept 201 11). In other words, where one is held liable solely on account of the negligence of another, indemnification, not 1 contribution, principles apply to shift the entire liability to the one who was negligent (( 1 user v Fortunofj uj WrsrOury C urp., 7 1 NY2d 643, 646 119881 [citations omitted]). JOW s opposition to Ynrk s motion is conclusory and sheer speculation as to York s alleged iicgligciicc as JOW wrmiscs that since York.opened up the masonry to perform the corrective work, York may have created or exacerbated the alleged damage. Here, JOW s alleged liability is not -4- [* 5] based solely on the negligence of another but is based solely on JOW's own actions as an alleged 109 tortfeasor (see Trustees ofC'olumbia Univ. v Mitchell/Giurgola ASSOCS., AD2d at 45 1-452). It IC, iincontrovcl-led 011 this record that York was not negligent and was simply retained to repair JOW's allegedly negligent installation ofthe flashing. Thus, JOW failed to set forth sufficient facts to state a valid claim for common-law indemnification. Oldcastle's Cross-Motion for Summaw Judgment to Dismiss Third-Partv Complaint On its cross-motion, Oldcastle iiioves for dismissal of the third-party complaint. Oldcastle argues that it is entitled to summary judgment because: (1) Oldcastle was simply the supplier of precast hollow floor planking that was used at the Premises, and (2) there is testimony in the record demonstrating that the materials it supplied were not related to the water infiltration and subsequent daiiiagc at the Premises. JOW argues that Oldcastle is not entitled to sumrnaryjudginent because: (1) due to the early stages of the litigation, there is insufficient discovery, and (2) expert disclosures have not been made, and thus the issue of liability is undetermined. The proponent of a motion for surninary judgment must demonstrate that there are no material issues of fact in dispute and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law (LE, v Beth I.sniel 110.~p., AD2d 28 1, 282 [ 1st Dept 20023). A party must tender sufficient evidence to 295 dcmonstrate the absence of any material issues offact (Smalls v AJI, Indus. h c . , 10 NY3d 733,735 [20081). Failure to do so requires denial ofthe motion despite the sufficiency of the opposing papers (rd ). 1 Ierc, Oldcastle has made a prima h i e showing ofcntitlement to judgment as a matter of law. -5- [* 6] Josef Greczek ( Greczek ) and Saverio Fasciano ( Fasciano ), two construction supervisors for Banta, and Saverio Minucci ( Minucci ), IOW s construction supervisor, testified that in 200 1, Oldcastle s involvement at the Premises was limited to supplying precast hollow core planking for the installation of ceilings and floors at the Premises (Exhibits D, E and F to Affirmation of John A. Fearns, dated April 30, 2012 [ Fearns Aff. ]). Greczek and Fasciano both reported that Oldcastle was neither present at the Premises nor responsible for any of the subcontracting work oiitside of the supply ofthe aforementioned materials. None ofthose witnesses were able to attribute any of the water infiltration at the Premises to the precast planking supplied by Oldcastle and used to install the flooring and ceilings (id.), Furthermore, they reported that Oldcastle was not responsible for the flashing or waterproofing that allegedly led to the water infiltration and damage L O [tic I rmiscs. Since there is no evidence that Oldcastle was responsible for or contributed to the defective work that is the subject of this action, Oldcastle has tendered sufficient evidence to demonstrate the absence of any material issues offact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Oncc the movant has made thc required showing, the burden shifts to the party opposing the motion to produce evidentiary proof in admissible form sufficient to establish the existence of a niaterial issue of fact that precludes summary judgment and requires a trial of the action (LE. v Beth I s r ~ r d Hospitd, 295 AD2d at 282). Here, JOW has failed to produce sufficient evidentiary I prool to establish the existence of a material issue of fact. -6- [* 7] Linden s Motion to Dismiss (Motion Seauence No. 003) 1,inden argues that it is entitled to dismissal of the third-party complaint because: (1) Linden s work at the Premises was limited to carpentry and installing drywall and windows, and thus it did iiot cause the alleged damage to the Premises, and (2) JOW has put forth no evidence demonstrating that Linden performed any work with respect to the installation of flashing or waterproofing on the project, and as such, it cannot be held responsible for the water infiltration and the rcsulting damage at the Premises. JOW argues that Linden is not entitled to summary judgment because: (1) Linden failed to provide an affidavit or the deposition transcript of a person from Linden with knowledge of the facts, 17) although Banta alleges damages as a result of the improper installation of flashing, plaintiff s employee couldn t recall the flashing specifkations for the windows used by Banta, (3) there is a complaint from a resident of the building that there was water infiltration into the apartment which JOW characterizes as coming through the windows, and thus (4) there is a question of fact as to the cause of the damages, given evidence in the record that Linden was retained to perform carpentry work which included the installation of windows at the Premises. Concerning JOW s procedural argument for the denial of this motion, CPLR 5 3212(b) requires that a motion for summary judgment must be supported by, among other things, an affidavit of an individual having personal knowledge of the facts. Notwithstanding this requirement, where, ab here, a moving party supports a sumiiiary judgment motion with an attorney s affirmation, deposition testimony, and other proof, the failure to submit an affidavit by a person with knowledge of the f a t s is not necessarily fatal to the motion (Murugos v Sukurai, 92 AD3d 922,923 [2d Dept 20 121). I:urthermore, pursuant to CPLR $ 3 105, , a verified pleading may be utilized as an affidavit -7- [* 8] filienever thc latter is required. Frequently, motions for summary judgment are supported by sworn deposition transcripts, as they are evidence in admissible form, satisfying the evidentiary requirements of CPLR $ 3212 (see CPLR Q 31 16[a] and $ 3212). Here, Linden s motion is supported by deposition transcripts of one if its principals (see Exhibit 1 to Affirmation of Joseph F I- usco.dated April 2, 201 2 [ Fusco Aff, II ]) in addition to a copy of the verified pleading, an attorney affirmation, and several deposition transcripts (Exhibits A through G to Fusco Aff.). Linden has demonstrated that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. It is uncontroverted that Linden merely installed the windows and was not involved whatsoever in the installation of the flashing. The record reveals that JOW was the only contractor to install bricks, mortar, coiicrctc inasonry and the flashing behind those elements (Exhibit I to Fusco Aff. at pages 13- 18). Moreover, JOW installed all the waterproofing material from the street level of the building to the roof, including all the flashing related to the masonry work (Exhibit H of Fusco Aff. at page 12). Linden was not contracted to install any flashing at the Premises (Exhibit H to Fusco Aff. at pages 1 h- 1 X). .IOW was the only contractor on the project who installed the flashing behind the brick and block walls o l the Premises, which included the building s windows and all of the thru- wall flashing (Exhibit ¬1 to Fusco Aff. at pages 9-14 and Exhibit I to Fusco Aff. 11). Greczek, Banta s construction supervisor, was instructed to uncover and correct the issue of hater iiilillratron at the Premises. G r e u e k testif-ied that in 2007, he performed numerous tests and determined that there was water infiltration that sccped into the buildings at the Premises (Exhibit G of Fusco Aff. at pages 8- 14). Additional tests revealed that the leaks were the result of defects to the masonry on the outside ofthe buildings due to failed flashing and there was no signs of water inliltr:ition through the windows (id). Further tests disclosed that the flashing had been improperly -8- [* 9] installed on the facade of the building, causing water infiltration into the interior (id.). JOW maintained control of those operations at the Premises and it is clear that none of Linden s employees supervised, assisted or otherwise participated in the installation of the flashing at the Premises (see Exhibits G, H and 1 to Fusco Aff,). I n opposition, 3 0 W points to a letter in the record from James Carbonell, a resident at the preiiiiscs who informed management in 2008 that he suffered damage from a persistent water leak in his apartment (Exhibit A to Affirmation of Yadira Ramos-Herbert, dated March 23, 2012 [Ramos-Herbert Aff.]). Another tenant, Marion Adeyanju, wrote a similar letter to management concerning damage to her apartment following persisten1 rainfall from the roof, terrace, and/or gutters of the building (id.). There is no evidence presented to show that the cause of the water infiltration was due to Linden s installation ofthe windows. The tenant letters, none of which were sworn to, never state that the water seepage came through the windows. In fact, all the iincontruverted cvidence indicates that the water seepage occurred as a result of JOW s allegedly defective installation of the flashing. Neither submission raises a question of fact as to Linden s liability or negligencc in this action nor that Linden was responsible for the installation of the flashing or waterproofing at the Premises. Thus, JOW fails to offer proof in opposition, sufficient to rLii\c<i triablc issue of fkt to defeat this motion for summary judgment (see Gilbert Frank Corp. b b LJderullm I o., 70 NY2d 966 [ 19881; Llcecca v New Y w k Univ.,7 AD3d 4 15 [ 1st Dept 20041). JOW s Motion for Leave to Amend (Motion Sequence No. 004) JOW moves pursuant to CPLdRIj 3025(b) for leave to amend the third-party complaint. In opposirion. bolh Y o r k and Linden argue that JOW s request for leave to add a claim for contribution -9- [* 10] should be denied because: (1) the motion is untimely, (2) the proposed amendment is palpably insufficient as a matter of law, and (3) it is devoid of merit. It is well settled law that leave to amend pleadings is to be freely given, absent a showing ol prejirdicc or surprise (Briurputch L t d , L 1 . v Briarputch Film Corp., 60 AD3d 585 [lst Dept ZOOS]). Nevertheless, an examination of the underlying merit of the proposed amendment is required, and leave will be denied where the proposed pleading fails to state a claim or is palpably insufficient as a matter of law (Thompson v Cooper, 24 AD3d 203,205 [lst Dept 20051). tlcre, there is neithcr a showing by the defendants of prejudice nor surprise resulting from .IOW s delay in seeking to amend the third-party complaint. However, granting JOW s motion to amend the third-party complaint in the form as submitted would be futile as JOW failed, other than in a conclusory fashion, as stated above, to support its allegations that either York or Linden was iicgligcnr in perfol-niitig tlic corrcctive work or window installation which would be subject to contribution to the extent of-their proportionate responsibility for the damages suffered by plaintiff (Trustees qfColunzhiu v hfitchell/Giuroglu Assocs., supra). In other words, JOW has not sufficiently supported the added cause of action of contribution because they have not demonstrated any degree of tiegligencc on the part of York or Linden at this time. 1 herefore, JOW s motion to amend the third-party complaint must be denied without prejudicc. CONCLUSION Accoi-dingly. i t is hereby -10- [* 11] ORDERED that motion sequence no. 002 by third-party defendant York Restoration Corporation to dismiss is granted and the first cause of action of the third-party complaint is ciismissed; and it is further ORDERED that Oldcastle Precast, Inc.'s cross-motion for summary judgment is granted to the extent of granting partial summary judgment in favor of third-party defendant Oldcastle Precast, Inc., as to the first cause of action for common-law indemnification; and it is further ()KDEREL) that motion sequence no. 003 by third-party defendant Linden Construction corporation is granted to the extent of granting partial summary judgment in favor of third-party defendant Linden Construction Corporation as to the first cause of action for common-law indemnification; and it is further ORDERED that motion sequence no. 004 by defendant and third-party plaintiff Job Opportunities for Women for leave to amend the complaint herein is denied without prejudice; and it is further ORDERED that thc Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly, and it is further OKDERED that the remainder of the action shall continue. -7 r- I he foregoing constitutes tbe d e c F r t e f D I COU~. t I 11 FEB 13 2613 ENTER: NEW YORK COUNTY CL ¬RKS Dated: .lanuary 23, 20 13 New York, New York 2. Hon. Shlomo S . Hagler, J.S.C. -1 1-

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