Tenant Claims Electrical Outlet Placement Caused Injury

February 1, 2004

LVT Number: 17095

Tenants' granddaughter sued landlord after she was injured in tenants' apartment. One-year-old granddaughter was visiting tenants in their apartment. A pot of hot water was placed on the kitchen counter with an electrical cord hanging down to an outlet near the floor. Granddaughter pulled the cord, and the pot of water spilled on her, causing severe burns. Granddaughter claimed that landlord was negligent because he didn't provide an electrical outlet above the kitchen counter. Landlord claimed that it wasn't responsible for the child's injuries and asked the court to dismiss the case.

Tenants' granddaughter sued landlord after she was injured in tenants' apartment. One-year-old granddaughter was visiting tenants in their apartment. A pot of hot water was placed on the kitchen counter with an electrical cord hanging down to an outlet near the floor. Granddaughter pulled the cord, and the pot of water spilled on her, causing severe burns. Granddaughter claimed that landlord was negligent because he didn't provide an electrical outlet above the kitchen counter. Landlord claimed that it wasn't responsible for the child's injuries and asked the court to dismiss the case. The court ruled for landlord. Granddaughter appealed and lost. The child's injuries weren't caused by the placement of the electrical outlet and weren't foreseeable.

Siso v. Tawil: NYLJ, 1/7/04, p. 29, col. 4 (App. Div. 2 Dept.; Miller, JP, Krausman, Townes, Cozier, JJ)

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