Case Name: Jeremiah Stelzner et al., Infants, by Their Guardian ad Litem, Jeremiah Stelzner, et al., Respondents, v. First Avenue and Seventeenth Street Corporation, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1962-02-06
Citations: 15 A.D.2d 741
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jeremiah Stelzner et al., Infants, by Their Guardian ad Litem, Jeremiah Stelzner, et al., Respondents, v. First Avenue and Seventeenth Street Corporation, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 15
Pages: 741–741

Head Matter:
Jeremiah Stelzner et al., Infants, by Their Guardian ad Litem, Jeremiah Stelzner, et al., Respondents, v. First Avenue and Seventeenth Street Corporation, Appellant.

Opinion:
The plaintiffs sue for damages sustained as a result of the collapse of defendant's chimney. We believe there are questions of fact presented which require a trial for their resolution. While the affidavit submitted in opposition to the motion is less than satisfactory, containing, as it does, conclusions rather than factual allegations, the motion still must be denied. It is quite apparent that the chimney was defective and that the defendant had notice of such condition. However, no liability can attach unless it is shown that the defendant knew and should have known that such condition was a dangerous one and that the defendant did not act with reasonable expedition to cure the defect. The defendant did take some steps toward the repair of the defective chimney. Whether it took adequate measures with sufficient expedition is a question for the jury. Concur — Botein, P. J., Rabin, Valente and Eager, JJ.; Stevens, J., dissents and votes to affirm on the ground that on this record there is no question of fact as to defendant's liability.