Schollhamer v. Hamburger

This is an appeal from a judgment of the City Court dismissing plaintiff’s complaint at the close of plaintiff’s case in an action for damages caused by defendant’s alleged negligence. Plaintiff was janitor of a building adjoining which defendant was erecting three buildings. An alleyway or light shaft extended from the rear of the premises where plaintiff was employed to the street. The use of this alleyway or light shaft was necessary in the performance of plaintiff’s duties. Defendant’s building operations prevented that use. Plaintiff so informed defendant, who told plaintiff to “go through his [plaintiff’s] building when I had occasion to go into that alleyway.” Accordingly, in the performance of his duties, plaintiff, while walking across a plank provided by defendant in his building, was precipitated and injured quite severely.

The learned trial judge dismissed the complaint on the ground that plaintiff was a mere licensee, upon the authority of Sterger v. Van Sicklen, 132 N. Y. 499, 30 N. E. 987, 16 L. R. A. 640, 28 Am. St. Rep. 594. In that case plaintiff went upon defendant’s premises without invitation, or on a matter of common interest; in other words, as a stranger. On the record here, plaintiff was entitled to go to the jury, and the dismissal of the complaint was therefore error.

Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.