Fragnoli v. Israel

Decision Date21 August 1959
Citation190 N.Y.S.2d 1,20 Misc.2d 436
PartiesLouis FRAGNOLI and Eleanor Fragnoli v. Norman ISRAEL, Joseph Israel and Reals Roofing Company, Inc.
CourtNew York Supreme Court

Jeffrey H. Jennings, Patchogue, for plaintiffs.

Charles G. Tierney, New York City, for defendants.

FRED J. MUNDER, Justice.

This is a motion under Rule 106 of the Rules of Civil Practice to dismiss the complaint on the grounds (1) that, under the facts alleged, the court does not have jurisdiction of the subject of the action, the only remedy being that provided by the Workmen's Compensation Law; and (2) that the complaint does not otherwise state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.

In the first cause of action the plaintiff Louis Fragnoli's status as an employee within the meaning, terms and protection of the Workmen's Compensation Law is fixed by the allegations set forth therein. Under ordinary circumstances the exclusiveness of the remedy for accidental injury provided by the statute cannot be controverted. Workmen's Compensation Law, Sections 11 and 29, subd. 6. Where the employer has failed to secure the payment of compensation for his injured employee, the latter may maintain an action in the courts for damages sustained as a result of such injury. Workmen's Compensation Law, Section 11. The exception must, however, be alleged to show he is not limited to the exclusive remedy provided by the act. Nulle v. Hardman, Peck & Co., 185 App.Div. 351, 173 N.Y.S. 236. The complaint herein contains no such allegation.

Though it is well settled that a plaintiff is not barred from a common-law action against an employer or fellow employee for wilful tort of intentional wrong (DeCoigne v. Ludlum Steel Co., 251 App.Div. 662, 297 N.Y.S. 636; Artonio v. Hirsch, 4 Misc.2d 42, 157 N.Y.S.2d 398), the complaint herein, despite arguments of counsel to the contrary, pleads only a cause in negligence.

The first cause of action must therefore be dismissed.

As to the second cause of action, it must in any case be dismissed, since an action by a wife for loss of consortium for injuries sustained by her husband is held not to be maintainable. Kronenbitter v. Washburn Wire Co., 4 N.Y.2d 524, 176 N.Y.S.2d 354.

The motion is accordingly granted with leave to the plaintiff Louis Fragnoli, if he be so advised, to serve an amended complaint within 20 days of service of a copy of the order to be entered hereon with notice of entry.

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4 cases
  • Hoffman v. Dautel
    • United States
    • Kansas Supreme Court
    • 25 Enero 1964
    ...Mut. Casualty Co. [1955] 269 Wis. 647, 70 N.W.2d 205; Ash v. S. S. Mullen, Inc. [1953] 43 Wash.2d 345, 261 P.2d 118; Fragnoli v. Israel [1959] 20 Misc.2d 436, 190 N.Y.S.2d 1; La Eace v. Cincinnati, Newport & Covington Ry. Co., Inc. [Ky.1952] 249 S.W.2d 534; and Kronenbitter v. Washburn Wire......
  • Heller v. Spyridon
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • 13 Noviembre 1962
    ...services, society and consortium of her husband in the husband's action grounded on an intentional or wilful tort (see Fragnoli v. Israel, 20 Misc.2d 436, 190 N.Y.S.2d 1), the plaintiff Edith Heller's contention that the defendant herein may be found to be guilty of gross negligence which c......
  • Carollo v. Town of Smithtown
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • 28 Agosto 1959
  • Empie v. Entwhistle
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • 30 Julio 1962
    ...by the Workmen's Compensation Law in which event is would be essential for the complaint to show such an allegation. (Fragnoli v. Israel, 20 Misc.2d 436, 190 N.Y.S.2d 1). The Workmen's Compensation Law places no duty or obligation on these defendants to carry Workmen's Compensation Insuranc......

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