Case ID: ny-st-rep_72/html/0698-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "FITZSIMONS, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Morris Feinstein, Resp’t,. v. Solomon Jacobs, App’lt.
    
      (New York City Court, General Term,
    
    
      Filed January 28, 1896.)
    
    1. Landlord and tenant—Negligence.
    It is the fluty of the landlord to keep in a reasonably safe condition the stairs leading to the cellar in which was built a storehouse for the use of his tenants, and his failure to do so will render him liable to them for injuries sustained by them, provided they are ¿free from contributory negligence.
    3. Same.
    The tenant has a right to assume that the landlord fully performs the duty which the law casts on him, and he, therefore, has the right to use the stairs in question, and is not bound to carry with him a light while so doing.
    S. Same—Notice.
    In such case,, it is not for the tenant to show that the landlord has actual notice of the defective or broken step, but it is sufficient for him to show that such dangerous conditions existed for a reasonable length of time prior to the injury.
    
      4. Same—Damages.
    Where it appears, in an action to recover for personal injuries, that the tenant supported himself and family by his earnings as a peddler, he is entitled to receive a reasonable sum for the loss of such earnings, though no actual sum was fixed by his testimony.
    Appeal from a judgment in favor of plaintiff.
    A. H. Sarasohn, for pl’ff; Joel Krone, for def’t.
   FITZSIMONS, J.

—The plaintiff was injured by reason of a broken step in the stairs leading to the cellar in which was built a storehouse for the use of the tenants in the defendant’s house. It was the duty of the defendant to keep said stairs in a reasonably safe condition, and his failure to do so would leave him liable to his tenants for injuries sustained bv them, provided they were free from contributory negligence. The plaintiff had a right to assume that the defendant, as landlord, fully performed the duty just mentioned, which the law cast on him, and he therefore had the right to use the stairs in question, and was not bound to carry with him a light while so doing. Just as the landlord was not bound to furnish light, to tenants while they were using such stairs. It was, therefore, not negligence for the plaintiff to fail to carry with him a light, as contended for by the defendant, while passing over the stairs in question, nor was it for the plaintiff to show that the defendant had actual knowledge of the defective or broken step; and it was quite enough for him to show that such dangerous condition existed for á reasonable length of time prior to the injury to the plaintiff. Thus, defendant would have constructive notice of the existing dangerous condition of his premises,—all that it was necessary for him to have; and that such notice was furnished him is quite certain, because it appears that the step was broken for at least six months prior to the plaintiff’s injury, and that the defendant was the owner for at lease the three last months of that period, and surely long enough for him to have learned of the dangerous condition of his premises, of which he had at least constructive notice.

The exception taken to the judge’s charge, we think, was too general; and, besides, it appears that the plaintiff, in his complaint, claims future damages, and his evidence shows that, at the trial, he suffered pain and was in bandages. So that it was reasonable to assume that such pains would continue for some time, at least, after the trial, and for which he was certainly entitled to damages. For loss of wages he was entitled to damages—at least nominal— as a matter of law; but, under the circumstances of this case, he was entitled to receive a reasonable sum for such loss of wages, because it appears that he was a peddler, and from such employment supported his family. The jury, relying on their common knowledge and experience, had the right to fix the damages sustained for such loss of wages, even though no actual sum was fixed by the plaintiff; and their finding should stand, unless it is apparent that they allowed an unreasonable amount of money, which cannot be claimed, in view of the fact that the verdict for all the damages sustained by the plaintiff is only the sum of $275. The judgment must be sustained, with costs.

All concur.