Source: http://www.garyrosenberg-law.com/blog/2011/november/she-dies-in-trip-and-fall-accident-on-sidewalk-c/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 08:13:52+00:00

Document:
Comment: The rule of law applied here makes me angry and should make you angry too: the "trivial defect" rule. Usually, a jury gets to decide if a sidewalk defect -- broken sidewalk or raised sidewalk panel or whatever -- is bad enough to cause an accident.
In this case, the court notes that a jury usually decides this question, but in some cases the condition that caused the accident is so small that the court can throw out a case in paper. Which it does here on summary judgment -- even though the accident victim died as a result of the fall.
Generally, whether a dangerous or defective condition exists on the property of another so as to create liability depends on the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case and is generally a question of fact for the jury.
Not every injury allegedly caused by a defect in a sidewalk must be submitted to the jury; rather, a trivial defect on a walkway, not constituting a trap or nuisance, as a consequence of which a pedestrian might merely stumble, stub his toes, or trip on a raised projection, is not actionable.
In determining whether a defect on a walkway is trivial as a matter of law, the court should consider the width, depth, elevation, irregularity, and appearance of the defect along with the time, place, and circumstance of the injury.
Alleged defect on city sidewalk was trivial and did not possess characteristics of a trap or nuisance, and, thus, was not actionable.
In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the defendant Vincent Avitable appeals, as limited by his brief, from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Velasquez, J.), dated September 8, 2010, as denied his motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint insofar as asserted against him and granted that branch of the cross motion of the defendant City of New York which was for summary judgment dismissing his cross claim against it.
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the defendant Vincent Avitable.
On October 8, 2007, Grace Sapienza (hereinafter the decedent) was walking on the sidewalk abutting the real property of the defendant Vincent Avitable when she allegedly tripped and fell and was injured. Three days later, she died of complications from her fall. The plaintiff, as representative of the decedent's estate, commenced this action to recover damages against Avitable and the City of New York. Avitable answered and cross‑claimed against the City for contribution and indemnification. Avitable moved for summary judgment dismissing the complaint insofar as asserted against him on the ground that the defect was trivial as a matter of law and, therefore, not actionable. The City cross‑moved, inter alia, for summary judgment dismissing the cross claim. The Supreme Court, among other things, denied Avitable's motion. We reverse insofar as reviewed.
Generally, whether a dangerous or defective condition exists on the property of another so as to create liability depends on the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case and is generally a question of fact for the jury (Trincere v. County of Suffolk, 90 N.Y.2d 976, 977, 665 N.Y.S.2d 615, 688 N.E.2d 489 [internal quotation marks omitted] ). However, not every injury allegedly caused by a defect in a sidewalk must be submitted to the jury. "[A] trivial defect on a walkway, not constituting a trap or nuisance, as a consequence of which a pedestrian might merely stumble, stub his toes or trip on a raised projection, is not actionable" (Riser v. New York City Hous. Auth., 260 A.D.2d 564, 564, 688 N.Y.S.2d 645). In determining whether a defect is trivial as a matter of law, the court should consider "the width, depth, elevation, irregularity and appearance of the defect along with the 'time, place and circumstance' of the injury" (Trincere v. County of Suffolk, 90 N.Y.2d at 978, 665 N.Y.S.2d 615, 688 N.E.2d 489, quoting Caldwell v. Village of Is. Park, 304 N.Y. 268, 274, 107 N.E.2d 441; see Fisher v. JRMR Realty Corp., 63 A.D.3d 677, 678, 880 N.Y.S.2d 187).
Here, upon reviewing photographs of the defect and considering all other relevant factors, including all of the deposition testimony, we conclude that Avitable established, prima facie, that the alleged defect was not actionable, as it was trivial and did not possess the characteristics of a trap or nuisance (see Shiles v. Carillon Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr., LLC, 54 A.D.3d 746, 864 N.Y.S.2d 439; Riser v. New York City Hous. Auth., 260 A.D.2d at 564, 688 N.Y.S.2d 645). In opposition, the plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact.
In light of our determination, we need not address the parties' contention regarding Avitable's alleged liability under the Administrative Code of the City of New York Sec. 7-210(6) in his capacity as the nonoccupying owner of the three‑family residence where the accident took place.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court should have granted Avitable's motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint insofar as asserted against him.

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