Kahn v. State

This claim is filed pursuant to chapter 726 of the Laws of 1920 and is for injuries suffered by the claimant while an inmate of the Clinton prison, alleged to be the result of the negligent acts of an agent and employee of the state and without contributory negligence on the part of the claimant.

That the state is immune from liability for injuries arising from the negligence of its officers and agents, in the absence of constitutional or legislative enactment assuming such liability, is well settled. Smith v. State of New York, 227 N. Y. 405; Lewis v. State of New York, 96 id. 71; Sipple v. State of New York, 99 id. 284.

It is urged in behalf of the claimant, however, that by the enabling act above referred to and which is pleaded in the claim, the state assumed liability. The language of the act, so far as is material, is as follows: “Jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon the court of claims to hear, audit and determine the *188alleged claim of Louis Kahn against the State alleged to have been sustained by him by reason of the negligence of the State and its employees while confined in Clinton Prison on the fourteenth day of February, nineteen hundred and nineteen; and while at work in the weave shop in attempting to adjust a belt on a moving pulley under the direction of the person in charge, and being caught therein and permanently injured, causing the amputation of the left arm above the elbow; which such injury was caused solely by reason of the negligence of the State and its employees, and not through any contributory carelessness or negligence on the part of the claimant. The State hereby consents to have its liability in such claim determined, notwithstanding the failure of the claimant to file notice of intention to file such claim within the time limited by law therefor, provided the claim be filed with the court of claims within six months after this act takes effect. If facts establishing liability on the part of the State be proven.to the satisfaction of the court, and the court deem it just and equitable that the claimant should be compensated by the State for such injuries it may determine the extent of such injuries and allow such claim in such sum as is deemed just and reasonable and render judgment therefor against the State.”

By this act the state clearly waived its immunity from suit and waived the due filing of a notice of intention; but this is not in itself sufficient. “ The immunity of the state from liability for the torts of its agents is based upon the broad ground of public policy and it is not waived by a statute conferring jurisdiction only. In the absence of a legislative enactment specifically waiving this immunity, the state cannot be subjected to a liability therefor.” Smith v. State, supra. The state by the act in ques*189tion not only failed to assume liability under the facts stated, but expressly provided that facts establishing liability on the part of the state must be proved as a condition precedent to the making of an award.

To enable the claimant to recover, the legislature must in effect create a new cause of action in his favor based upon the facts recited in the statute. Litchfield v. Bond, 186 N. Y. 66, 83. That the legislature may do this without exceeding its constitutional limitations is indisputable. Munro v. State of New York, 223 N. Y. 208; Babcock v. State of New York, 190 App. Div. 147. That it has not done so seems equally clear.

The claim must be dismissed.

Ackerson, P. J., and Smith, J., concur.

Claim dismissed.