Visitor Slips and Falls Leaving Building

After visiting her doctor's office in landlord's building, a woman fell at the front entrance of the building while leaving and broke her shoulder and arm. The woman sued landlord, claiming negligence. She claimed that she fell because of a defective condition of the front landing. The landing was built so that the exit door extended beyond the outer edge of the concrete step by 14 inches, in violation of the building code. It was dark out, and she also claimed that the light outside the building wasn't on. Landlord asked the court to dismiss the case without a trial. The court ruled against landlord. There was a question of fact as to whether the front landing step was short 14 inches and whether this was negligent construction. So a trial was needed.

Furino v. 222 E. 68th St.: NYLJ, 12/4/02, p. 22, col. 6 (Sup. Ct. Kings; Belen, J)