Court Opinion

ID: 9634522
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 13:15:52.435164+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:42:52.965232
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN and CLIFFORD, JJ.,
dissenting.
We would affirm the judgments below in favor of both defendants, on the basis of the long-standing law recited and reaffirmed in Yanhko v. Fane, 70 N.J. 528 (1976). As stated therein, the primary responsibility for maintaining public rights of way such as sidewalks should rest on government. No legal basis or logical reason exists for imposing liability for public sidewalk accidents on the abutting property owner where the condition of the walk is the result of ordinary wear and tear any more than for holding him responsible for accidents due to a similar condition in the public street in front of his property.
SCHREIBER, J., concurring in the result.
For affirmance in part and reversal in part — Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices PASHMAN, SCHREIBER, HANDLER and POLLOCK — 5.
For affirmance — Justices SULLIVAN and CLIFFORD — 2.