Court Opinion

ID: 6164425
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-05 18:33:04.834026+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:55:34.373301
License: Public Domain

VAN WYCK, J.
It is established by the evidence, or can be fairly-inferred therefrom, that the defendant owned the tenement house mentioned in the complaint; that the halls and stairs thereof were in his-charge, care, and control; that the banister of the second flight of stairs-was badly out of repair, and the second step from the top of that flight had worn so thin as to render it liable to spring and break off under the-pressure of the foot, all of which the defendant knew; that the plaintiff and his sister, a tenant in this house, whom he was visiting, were not aware of such dangerous condition of this step and banister; that- plaintiff, while coming down the stairs, put his foot on this step, which, sprang and broke off under such pressure, and, when he caught hold of the banister in an effort to save himself, it gave way to such an extent as to throw him down the stairs, inflicting upon him most serious injuries. We think the court properly submitted the case to the jury, who were fully justified in finding that plaintiff’s injuries were caused, by the negligence of defendant, and without contributory, negligence of the former. Peil v. Reinhart, 127 N. Y. 381, 27 N. E. Rep. 1077;. Laws 1888, c. 583, tit. 14, § 26; Willy v. Mulledy, 78 N. Y. 310; McRickard v. Flint, 114 N. Y. 222, 21 N. E. Rep. 153. We see no reason to disturb the verdict on the suggestion that the weight of evidence-is against it, or that the damages are excessive, for the suggestion, in-both instances, is unfounded. Error cannot be predicated upon any of the' other exceptions called to our attention.
Judgment and order must be affirmed, with costs.