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Espinal v. Melville Snow Contractors

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Jun 4, 2002
98 N.Y.2d 136 (N.Y. 2002)

Summary

holding that contract requiring snow removal service to plow when snow accumulation reached three inches was "not the type of 'comprehensive and exclusive' property maintenance obligation contemplated" by previous case law

Summary of this case from Haskin v. United States, Andifred Realty Corp.

Opinion

63

Decided June 4, 2002.

APPEAL, by permission of the Court of Appeals, from an order of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department, entered May 21, 2001, which (1) reversed, insofar as appealed from, on the law, so much of an order of the Supreme Court (Gerard D'Emilio, J.), entered in Suffolk County, as denied a motion by defendant for summary judgment dismissing the complaint, (2) granted the motion, and (3) dismissed the complaint.

Thomas Torto, for appellant.

Christopher Simone, for respondent.

Chief Judge Kaye and Judges Smith, Levine, Ciparick, Wesley and Graffeo concur.


Plaintiff has brought this personal injury action against defendant, a company that entered into a snow removal contract with a property owner. We are called upon to determine whether the company may be held liable to plaintiff for injuries she sustained when she slipped and fell on the premises. To decide this appeal, we must determine whether a contractor of this type owes a duty to a third person, such as plaintiff.

On January 28, 1994 plaintiff slipped and fell in a parking lot owned by her employer, Miltope Corporation. Attributing her fall to an "icy condition," plaintiff sued Melville Snow Contractors, the company under contract to plow and remove snow from the premises. She alleged that Melville created the icy condition by negligently removing snow from the parking lot. Melville moved for summary judgment, contending that it owed no duty of care to plaintiff.

Melville brought a third-party action against plaintiff's employer, Miltope Corporation. Supreme Court granted Miltope's motion for summary judgment and dismissed the third-party complaint. That part of Supreme Court's order is not before us.

Supreme Court denied the motion, concluding that Melville had failed to show that "there was a reasonable explanation for the existence of the ice * * * other than a failure on its part to remove snow and ice in a non-negligent manner." The Appellate Division reversed, granted Melville's motion for summary judgment and dismissed the complaint. The court held that Melville owed plaintiff no duty of care. Important for purposes of this appeal, the court also held that plaintiff's "allegation that [Melville] created or exacerbated the hazardous condition did not provide a basis for liability." We now affirm the order of the Appellate Division, but on different grounds.

Because a finding of negligence must be based on the breach of a duty, a threshold question in tort cases is whether the alleged tortfeasor owed a duty of care to the injured party (see Darby v. Compagnie Nat'l Air France, 96 N.Y.2d 343, 347; Pulka v. Edelman, 40 N.Y.2d 781, 782). Here, the issue is whether any such duty ran from Melville to plaintiff, given that Melville's snow removal contract was with the property owner. As we have often said, the existence and scope of a duty is a question of law requiring courts to balance sometimes competing public policy considerations (see e.g. Palka v. Servicemaster Mgt. Servs. Corp., 83 N.Y.2d 579, 585-586; Eaves Brooks Costume Co. v. Y.B.H. Realty Corp., 76 N.Y.2d 220, 226-227).

Under our decisional law a contractual obligation, standing alone, will generally not give rise to tort liability in favor of a third party (see Eaves Brooks, 76 N.Y.2d at 226). Seventy-four years ago, in H.R. Moch Co. v. Rensselaer Water Co. ( 247 N.Y. 160 ), Chief Judge Cardozo stated that imposing liability under such circumstances could render the contracting parties liable in tort to "an indefinite number of potential beneficiaries" (id. at 168). As a matter of policy, we have generally declined to impose liability to that degree. On the other hand, we have recognized that under some circumstances, a party who enters into a contract thereby assumes a duty of care to certain persons outside the contract (see Palka, 83 N.Y.2d at 586; Strauss v. Belle Realty Co., 65 N.Y.2d 399, 402). Having rejected the concept of open-ended tort liability, while recognizing that liability to third persons may sometimes be appropriate, we must determine where to draw the line (see De Angelis v. Lutheran Med. Ctr., 58 N.Y.2d 1053, 1055). Although the "policy-laden" nature of the existence and scope of a duty generally precludes any bright-line rules (Palka, 83 N.Y.2d at 585), three cases help light the way.

Moch, Eaves Brooks and Palka identify contractual situations involving possible tort liability to third persons. Our analysis begins with Moch. There, the defendant entered into a contract with the City of Rensselaer to supply water to the City for various purposes, including water at the appropriate pressure for fire hydrants. A building caught fire and, because the defendant allegedly failed to supply sufficient water pressure to the hydrants, the fire spread and destroyed the plaintiff's warehouse. Although the contract was valid and enforceable as between the City and the defendant, we concluded that the contract was not intended to make the defendant answerable to anyone who might be harmed as a result of the defendant's alleged breach. Because the plaintiff company was not a third-party beneficiary, it could not sue for breach of contract. Nor, we held, could the plaintiff succeed in tort. "[L]iability would be unduly and indeed indefinitely extended by this enlargement of the zone of duty" (Moch, 247 N.Y. at 168). We observed, however, that irrespective of the attendant contractual obligations, tort liability to a third person may arise where "the putative wrongdoer has advanced to such a point as to have launched a force or instrument of harm, or has stopped where inaction is at most a refusal to become an instrument for good" (id. [emphasis added]).

In Eaves Brooks we continued the theme, identifying detrimental reliance as another basis for a contractor's liability in tort to third parties. There, a commercial tenant sought to recover for property damage sustained when a sprinkler system malfunctioned and flooded the premises. The tenant sued the companies that were under contract with the property owner to inspect and maintain the sprinkler system. For policy reasons, we refused to extend liability to encompass the defendant companies, noting that the building owners were in a better position to insure against loss. We adhered to the general rule that "a contractual obligation, standing alone, will impose a duty only in favor of the promisee and intended third-party beneficiaries" (Eaves Brooks, 76 N.Y.2d at 226). We were careful to state, however, that tort liability may arise where "performance of contractual obligations has induced detrimental reliance on continued performance" and the defendant's failure to perform those obligations "positively or actively" works an injury upon the plaintiff (id.).

Finally, in Palka, we considered whether a maintenance company under contract to provide preventive maintenance services to a hospital assumed a duty of care to the plaintiff, a nurse who was injured when a wall-mounted fan fell on her as she was tending to a patient. The contract between the parties was "comprehensive and exclusive" (Palka, 83 N.Y.2d at 588) and required the maintenance company to inspect, repair and maintain the facilities, and to train and supervise all support service personnel. The company's obligation to the hospital was so broad that it entirely displaced the hospital in carrying out maintenance duties and became "the sole privatized provider for a safe and clean hospital premises" (id. at 589). Because the company's contractual obligation was comprehensive, we found this to be another instance in which a contracting provider owed a duty to "noncontracting individuals reasonably within the zone and contemplation of the intended safety services," including the plaintiff (id.).

In sum, Moch, Eaves Brooks and Palka identify three situations in which a party who enters into a contract to render services may be said to have assumed a duty of care — and thus be potentially liable in tort — to third persons: (1) where the contracting party, in failing to exercise reasonable care in the performance of his duties, "launch[es] a force or instrument of harm" (Moch, 247 N.Y. at 168); (2) where the plaintiff detrimentally relies on the continued performance of the contracting party's duties (see Eaves Brooks, 76 N.Y.2d at 226) and (3) where the contracting party has entirely displaced the other party's duty to maintain the premises safely (see Palka, 83 N.Y.2d at 589). These principles are firmly rooted in our case law, and have been generally recognized by other authorities (see e.g. Restatement [Second] of Torts § 324A).

With these precepts in mind, we conclude that plaintiff's claim fails as a matter of law. In opposition to Melville's motion for summary judgment, plaintiff relied almost entirely on Palka, arguing that "Defendant's contract [with Miltope] is exclusive, and [Defendant] should be liable [for] damages caused to the Plaintiff." A careful review of the contract between Melville and Miltope, however, defeats plaintiff's claim.

Under the agreement, Melville was obligated to "clear, by truck and plow, snow from vehicular roadways, parking and loading areas, entrances and exits of the captioned property when snow accumulations exceed three (3) inches." In addition, Melville agreed that upon Miltope's request, it would spread a mixture of salt and sand on certain areas of the property. As for snow removal, Melville contracted to plow "during the late evening and early morning hours, and not until all accumulations have ceased, on a one time plowing per snowfall basis. If there is a plowable accum. by 4 A.M., and it is still snowing, Melville will provide a limited plowing to open up the property before 9 A.M., and if accum. continue, Melville will plow a second time during the day or in the evening after all accumulations have ended."

By the express terms of the contract, Melville was obligated to plow only when the snow accumulation had ended and exceeded three inches. This contractual undertaking is not the type of "comprehensive and exclusive" property maintenance obligation contemplated by Palka. Melville did not entirely absorb Miltope's duty as a landowner to maintain the premises safely (see Palka, 83 N.Y.2d at 584). Indeed, the contract stated that "[i]t is the responsibility of the property manager or owner to decide whether an icy condition warrants application(s) of salt-sand by Melville. Owner must inspect property within 12 hours of work. Any defect in performance must be communicated immediately." Although Melville undertook to provide snow removal services under specific circumstances, Miltope at all times retained its landowner's duty to inspect and safely maintain the premises. Melville was under no obligation to monitor the weather to see if melting and re-freezing would create an icy condition.

Inasmuch as plaintiff failed to allege detrimental reliance on Melville's continued performance of its contractual obligations (see Eaves Brooks, 76 N.Y.2d at 226), we look to the other possible basis for liability: whether Melville "launch[ed] a force or instrument of harm" (Moch, 247 N.Y. at 168). In this context, a defendant who undertakes to render services and then negligently creates or exacerbates a dangerous condition may be liable for any resulting injury (see id. at 167; Restatement [Second] of Torts § 324A[a]). Plaintiff argues that Melville's "snow removal activities" created a "dangerous icy condition" or "increased the snow-related hazard which caused plaintiff to slip and fall." Missing from plaintiff's complaint, bill of particulars or opposition to Melville's summary judgment motion is any support for these allegations. Plaintiff points only to the testimony of Melville's former corporate secretary, Kenneth Boyd, who stated that snow plowing operations can sometimes leave "residual snow or ice" on the plowed area and that failure to sand and salt the area could possibly cause snow to melt and re-freeze. Melville, however, simply cleared the snow as required by the contract. Plaintiff's fall on the ice was not the result of Melville having "launch[ed] a force or instrument of harm" (Moch, 247 N.Y. at 168). By merely plowing the snow, Melville cannot be said to have created or exacerbated a dangerous condition.

Accordingly, we agree with the Appellate Division that Melville owed no duty of care to plaintiff and therefore cannot be held liable in tort. However, we take this opportunity to address and clarify an aspect of that court's decision.

In its order, the Appellate Division held that plaintiff's "allegation that [Melville] created or exacerbated the hazardous condition did not provide a basis for liability." This ruling appears to suggest that a contractor such as Melville who creates or exacerbates a hazardous condition owes no duty of care to third persons who may be injured by the contractor's actions. To the extent the Appellate Division's language may be so interpreted, it is in conflict with the holdings of the other Departments and even with previous holdings of the Second Department itself. In our view, the "creation or exacerbation" test articulated in these cases is nothing more and nothing less than the formulation expressed by this Court in Moch, namely, whether the defendant's actions have "advanced to such a point as to have launched a force or instrument of harm" ( 247 N.Y. at 168). A snow removal contractor (or one in a similar line of work) who "creates or exacerbates" a harmful condition may generally be said to have "launched" it. Exacerbating or creating a dangerous condition may be a more pedestrian — or less elegant — description than launching a force or instrument of harm, but in practical terms the criteria are the same. The concepts have been applied interchangeably and should not carry different consequences.

See Genen v. Metro-North Commuter R.R. ( 261 A.D.2d 211, 214 [1st Dept 1999]); Piccirillo v. Beltrone-Turner ( 284 A.D.2d 854, 856 [3d Dept 2001]); Di Sano v. KBH Constr. Co., Inc. ( 280 A.D.2d 951, 952 [4th Dept 2001]).

See Beckham v. Board of Educ. ( 267 A.D.2d 189, 190 [1999]);Finley v. Weill ( 264 A.D.2d 438, 438 [1999]).

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs.

Order affirmed, with costs.


Summaries of

Espinal v. Melville Snow Contractors

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Jun 4, 2002
98 N.Y.2d 136 (N.Y. 2002)

holding that contract requiring snow removal service to plow when snow accumulation reached three inches was "not the type of 'comprehensive and exclusive' property maintenance obligation contemplated" by previous case law

Summary of this case from Haskin v. United States, Andifred Realty Corp.

holding that, "[b]y merely plowing the snow, [a contractor] cannot be said to have created or exacerbated a dangerous condition"

Summary of this case from Davis v. R C Sons Paving, Inc.

holding that, “[b]y merely plowing the snow, [a contractor] cannot be said to have created or exacerbated a dangerous condition”

Summary of this case from Davis v. R C & Sons Paving Inc.

holding that "a contractual obligation, standing alone, will generally not give rise to tort liability in favor of a third party"

Summary of this case from Bresler v. Museum Tower Corporation

finding that where "by the express terms of the contract, [contractor] was obligated to plow only when the snow accumulation . . . exceeded three inches," the contract was not a "comprehensive and exclusive property maintenance obligation"

Summary of this case from Occhino v. Citigroup Inc.

In Espinal, the express terms of the contract provided that the defendant "was obligated to plow only when the snow accumulation had ended and exceeded three inches," and the Court held that "[t]his contractual undertaking is not the type of 'comprehensive and exclusive' property maintenance obligation contemplated.... [The defendant] did not entirely absorb [the landowner]'s duty... to maintain the premises safely."

Summary of this case from Merriweather v. Crothall Healthcare, Inc.

In Espinal, the plaintiff slipped and fell due to icy conditions in her employer's parking lot and sued the company under contract to plow and remove snow from the premises.

Summary of this case from Merriweather v. Crothall Healthcare, Inc.

allowing that liability to third party may arise where defendant's conduct "launched a force or instrument of harm" that caused foreseeable injury

Summary of this case from Daley v. Mira, Inc.

describing situations where New York law provides tort liability to third persons not in privity of contract

Summary of this case from A.O.A. v. Rennert

In Espinal, the plaintiff also sought to hold a contractor liable for negligence who had removed snow on property owned by a third party.

Summary of this case from Beg v. Elias Props. Valley Stream 500 Sunrise, LLC

In Espinal, the court had to determine whether a "duty ran from [defendant] to plaintiff, given that [defendant's] snow removal contract was with the property owner."

Summary of this case from Santorelli v. Crothall Servs. Grp., Inc.

explaining that liability may lie when a defendant "launch[es] a force or instrument of harm" only if that defendant "undertakes to render services and then negligently creates or exacerbates a dangerous condition"

Summary of this case from Kloner v. United States

noting that a contractor is "under no obligation to monitor the weather to see if melting and refreezing would create an icy condition" and that "[b]y merely plowing the snow, [the defendant] cannot be said to have created or exacerbated a dangerous condition."

Summary of this case from Haskin v. United States, Andifred Realty Corp.

describing the first exception as creating liability when a defendant “negligently creates or exacerbates a dangerous condition”

Summary of this case from Travelers Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. AGG Creperie

In Espinal, the Court of Appeals considered whether a duty of care ran from the defendant to the plaintiff, who slipped and fell in a parking lot owned by her employer, based on the defendant's snow removal contract with the employer.

Summary of this case from Breitkopf v. Gentile

In Espinal, the Court of Appeals considered whether a duty of care ran from the defendant to the plaintiff, who slipped and fell in a parking lot owned by her employer, based on the defendant's snow removal contract with the employer.

Summary of this case from Breitkopf v. Gentile

noting “policy-laden” nature of recognizing duties to non-contracting third parties

Summary of this case from BNP Paribas Mortgage Corp. v. Bank of America, N.A.

plowing contract did not displace landowner duties

Summary of this case from Gonzalez v. Aramark Food & Support Servs. Grp. Inc.

explaining that, liability may lie under Moch exception if defendant "undertakes to render services and then negligently creates or exacerbates a dangerous condition"

Summary of this case from Weissman v. Aramark Corp.

In Espinal, the New York Court of Appeals rejected the argument that a contractor launched a force or instrument of harm because its snow removal operations could have left "residual snow or ice on the plowed area" which later melted and refroze.

Summary of this case from Occhino v. Citigroup Inc.

In Espinal, the Court of Appeals examined the circumstances of whether and when a snow removal contractor, who entered into a contract with the property owner, may be liable to a plaintiff not in contractual privity, when the contractor's negligence caused or contributed to the plaintiff's accident.

Summary of this case from Santos v. Deanco Servs., Inc.

In Espinal v Melville Snow Contrs. (98 NY2d 136, 138), the Court of Appeals held that "a contractual obligation, standing alone, will generally not give rise to tort liability in favor of a third party."

Summary of this case from Foster v. Herbert Slepoy Corp.

In Espinal, the Court of Appeals found that a snow removal contractor owed no duty of care to a person who slipped and fell on an icy parking lot that the contractor failed to properly clear of snow. Although the Espinal Court acknowledged that a contractor who created or exacerbated a dangerous condition might be liable, as in the case here, plaintiff has not offered any support for the allegations that L.I.S.R.'s activities increased the hazardous condition of the lot.

Summary of this case from Tamhane v. Citibank

In Espinal, the injured plaintiff, who slipped on an icy condition on her employer's parking lot, sued a company under contract to her employer to plow and remove snow from the premises.

Summary of this case from Timmins v. Tishman Constr. Corp.

In Espinal, the Court identified three situations in which the party who enters into a contract to render services may be held liable in tort to a third party: 1) where the contracting party, in failing to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, launches a force or instrument of harm; i.e., creates or exacerbates a dangerous condition; 2) where the plaintiff detrimentally relies on the continued performance of the contracting party's duties, or 3) where the contracting party entirely displaced the premises owner's duty to maintain the premises safely (Espinal, 98 N.Y.2d at 140).

Summary of this case from Chang v. WFP Tower D Co. L.P.
Case details for

Espinal v. Melville Snow Contractors

Case Details

Full title:VIOLETA ESPINAL, APPELLANT, v. MELVILLE SNOW CONTRACTORS, INC.…

Court:Court of Appeals of the State of New York

Date published: Jun 4, 2002

Citations

98 N.Y.2d 136 (N.Y. 2002)
746 N.Y.S.2d 120
773 N.E.2d 485

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