Practice point: A property owner may not be held liable for trivial defects, not
constituting a trap or nuisance, over which a person might merely
stumble, stub his or her toes, or trip. In determining whether
a defect is trivial, the court must examine all of the facts presented,
including the width, depth, elevation, irregularity and appearance of
the defect along with the time, place and circumstance of the injury,.
Student note: Photographs which
fairly and accurately represent the accident site may be used to
establish that a defect is trivial and, therefore, not actionable.
Case: Abalo v. Santorelli, NY Slip Op 01701 (2d Dept. 2014).
Here is the decision.
Tomorrow's issue: Labor Law 200 ad 241(6) claims.
