X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Chelus, Herdzik, Speyer & Monte, P.C., Buffalo (Richard J. Zielinski of Counsel), for Defendants-Appellants. Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC, Buffalo (Norton T. Lowe of Counsel), for Plaintiffs-Respondents. Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Erie County (Craig D. Hannah, J.), entered September 8, 2023. The order denied the motion of defendants for summary judgment. It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Valerie Meldrim (plaintiff) was injured when she tripped over the elevated edge of a parking lot at her daughter’s apartment complex, which was allegedly obscured by tall grass. Defendants—the owners, operators or maintenance providers at the complex—appeal from an order denying their motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint. We affirm. Whether a specific condition ” ‘constitutes a dangerous or defective condition depends on the peculiar facts and circumstances of each case, including the width, depth, elevation, irregularity, and appearance of the defect as well as the time, place, and circumstances of the injury’ ” (Wilson v. 100 Carlson Park, LLC, 113 AD3d 1118, 1119 [4th Dept 2014]), and ” ‘is generally a question of fact for the jury’ ” (Trincere v. County of Suffolk, 90 NY2d 976, 977 [1997]). “[T]here is no ‘minimal dimension test’ or per se rule that a defect must be of a certain minimum height or depth in order to be actionable” (id.), and ” ‘[t]he fact that a dangerous condition is open and obvious does not negate the duty to maintain premises in a reasonably safe condition, but, rather, bears only on the injured person’s comparative fault’ ” (Jaques v. Brez Props., LLC, 162 AD3d 1665, 1667 [4th Dept 2018]). Here, we conclude that defendants failed to meet their initial burden of establishing that the allegedly dangerous or defective condition was nonactionable or trivial as a matter of law (see Lupa v. City of Oswego, 117 AD3d 1418, 1419 [4th Dept 2014]; Hayes v. Texas Roadhouse Holdings, LLC, 100 AD3d 1532, 1533 [4th Dept 2012]). The photographs and deposition testimony submitted in support of defendants’ motion describe a measurable height differential, which plaintiff’s daughter testified was approximately three to four inches in depth, between the ground and the pavement edge running along the side of the parking lot that was concealed by long grass. Thus, defendants’ own submissions raise a triable issue of fact whether ” ‘a dangerous or defective condition exist[ed] on [defendants'] property’ ” (Lupa, 117 AD3d at 1419; see also Argenio v. Metropolitan Transp. Auth., 277 AD2d 165, 166 [1st Dept 2000]; Slate v. Fredonia Cent. School Dist., 256 AD2d 1210, 1210 [4th Dept 1998]). In addition, we conclude that defendants failed to meet their initial burden of establishing that they lacked constructive notice of the allegedly dangerous or defective condition as a matter of law (see generally Gordon v. American Museum of Natural History, 67 NY2d 836, 837 [1986]). Deposition testimony submitted in support of defendants’ motion suggests that the allegedly dangerous or defective condition was in existence for at least five years prior to plaintiff’s accident, during which time the lawn in that area was regularly cut, which raises a triable issue of fact whether the condition was visible and apparent and ” ‘exist[ed] for a sufficient length of time prior to the accident to permit defendant[s'] employees to discover and remedy it’ ” (Keene v. Marketplace, 114 AD3d 1313, 1314 [4th Dept 2014]). Because defendants “failed to meet [their] initial burden on the motion, we need not consider the sufficiency of [plaintiffs'] opposing papers” (Lupa, 117 AD3d at 1419; see generally Alvarez v. Prospect Hosp., 68 NY2d 320, 324 [1986]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More

Columbia Law School seeks an experienced lawyer with a background in criminal defense and a strong interest in community lawyering and clini...


Apply Now ›

WittKieffer is proud to partner with Mom's Meals in the search for their Director of Legal Affairs. Mom's Meals is an investor-owned compan...


Apply Now ›

Nutley Law firm concentrating in plaintiff's personal injury for plaintiff seeks an Attorney with three or more years of experience in New J...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›