VITALE v. BNF (2018)

Order (Donald A. Miles, J.), entered March 22, 2017, reversed, without costs, and the cross motions denied without prejudice to renewal after completion of discovery.

Plaintiff, an electrical apprentice, injured his back while transporting heavy pipes from and into areas involving different elevation levels.

The motion court should have denied defendants' motions for summary judgment as premature, since the record indicates that “facts essential to justify opposition may exist but cannot then be stated” (CPLR 3212[f] ). As no representatives from defendants have been deposed, all of the relevant contracts have not been produced, and the record suggests that crucial facts may be within defendants' knowledge, additional discovery is necessary (see Jackson v. Hunter Roberts Constr. Group, LLC, 161 AD3d 666, 667 [2018]; Solano v. Skanska USA Civ. Northeast Inc., 148 AD3d 619, 619-620 [2017]; Rodriguez v. Coalition for Father Duffy, LLC, 112 AD3d 407, 408 [2013]; Ali v. Effron, 106 AD3d 560 [2013] ).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

Per Curiam.