Summary
granting summary judgment on personal injury claim because Workers' Compensation law is employee's sole remedy where employer secured workers' compensation insurance
Summary of this case from Hill v. Delta Intern. Machinery Corp.Opinion
July 13, 1993
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Hansel McGee, J.).
Defendant's motion for summary judgment, based upon the affirmative defense that the Workers' Compensation Law provided the exclusive remedy for plaintiff's on-the-job personal injury claim, was supported by a deposition at which plaintiff acknowledged she knew defendant, John Mados, and his wife, Suzanne Mados, were the operators of the hotel and was introduced to them when she was hired. Defendant also submitted other documentary evidence that he and his wife Suzanne are the sole partners of the Wyndham Company, through which they leased the premises, operated the Wyndham Hotel and employed plaintiff. Further, documentary evidence was submitted that defendant and his wife obtained a workers' compensation insurance policy covering the hotel's employees, including plaintiff, who received benefits under it in connection with the accident.
In opposition, plaintiff submitted only an attorney's affirmation which had no probative value. She failed to offer any facts to counter the documentary proof which established that she was employed by the partnership through which defendant and his wife operated the hotel.
Since no factual issues were raised, the IAS Court erred in denying the motion for summary judgment based on the workers' compensation defense (see, O'Connor v. Midiria, 55 N.Y.2d 538). Such defense would also preclude plaintiff-employee from bringing a common-law cause of action against a member of the partnership which is her employer (Williams v. Hartshorn, 296 N.Y. 49).
Concur — Milonas, J.P., Ellerin, Ross, Asch and Kassal, JJ.