Court Opinion

ID: 9579511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:55:49.97958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:35:34.132697
License: Public Domain

Birdsong, Judge,
dissenting.
Though the majority opinion recognizes that the evidence of record will accommodate a jury finding that Mr. Vizzini’s knowledge of the condition of the steps leading to the upper parking lot was equal or superior to that of the landlord Blonder and thus preclude a recovery, the opinion also concludes that the evidence does not negate that Blonder did not have superior knowledge of the hazard which resulted in Mr. Vizzini’s injuries.
While I agree with the first statement, I cannot agree with the *842second. The evidence is without dispute that the three steps were placed in the bank separating the parking lots, as a means of ascent and descent between the upper and lower parking lots, more than two years earlier; but by whom is not shown. The record shows that the steps were fixed and remained the same during the two years without change in position. There is undisputed evidence that tenants used the steps regularly and there is no indication that anyone ever complained to each other or to Blonder that the steps were insecurely placed in the ground or were hazardous because of the absence of handrails. There was affirmative evidence that the Vizzinis were not aware of any defects nor were they aware of anyone ever suffering an injury from using the steps. The evidence finally reflects that the Vizzinis had lived in their new apartment for over 70 days. At least during that period of time, Mr. Vizzini worked five or more days each week. He used the lower parking lot and on each of those days descended and ascended the three steps to get to his car and back to his apartment. He admitted that as late as the day before the accident he was aware of no defect. For the first time, on the date of the accident, did the middle step tilt causing him to fall and injure himself. So far as the record shows, this also had to be the first notice to Blonder that the steps might be insecure.
Contrary to the conclusion in the majority opinion, I find such evidence wholly persuasive that the landlord Blonder could not have possessed greater knowledge of a defect than Vizzini for from the evidence there was no known defect until Mr. Vizzini fell. See Pound v. Augusta National, 158 Ga. App. 166, 168 (279 SE2d 342). Even assuming that there might have been a hazard in not furnishing handrails, Mr. Vizzini clearly had at least equal knowledge of any such hazard and voluntarily assumed it for more than 70 days without incident. On the basis of such evidence, I conclude that the only reasonable and rational conclusion arising from the evidence of record is that Vizzini’s knowledge of the condition of the steps was certainly equal and even superior to that of Blonder. Thus, in my opinion, Blonder fully met its burden to negate Vizzini’s right of recovery and the trial court properly granted summary judgment to Blonder. Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Reid, 132 Ga. App. 136, 138 (207 SE2d 532). I would affirm the judgment of the trial court.
I respectfully dissent. I am authorized to state that Presiding Judge Deen, and Judge Sognier, join this dissent.