Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Sarvia WILLIAMS and Philip Williams, Respondents, v. GENEVA B. SCRUGGS COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTER, INC., Appellant.
Supreme Court properly denied defendant's motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the complaint. Defendant met its initial burden of establishing its entitlement to summary judgment by submitting proof that, at the time Sarvia Williams (plaintiff) fell, there was a snow storm in progress. It is well settled that a landowner has no duty to remove snow and ice during a storm (see, Siegel v. Molino, 236 A.D.2d 879, 653 N.Y.S.2d 759; Cerra v. Perk Dev., 197 A.D.2d 851, 602 N.Y.S.2d 277). Plaintiffs, however, raised a triable issue of fact with respect to that issue (cf., Dunn v. 726 Main & Pine, 255 A.D.2d 981, 680 N.Y.S.2d 344 [decided herewith]). We reject defendant's contention that plaintiff's opposing affidavit is insufficient to defeat the motion (cf., Andrews v. Porreca, 227 A.D.2d 940, 941, 643 N.Y.S.2d 250). In any event, plaintiffs also offered an affidavit from a witness who averred that it had stopped snowing a few hours before plaintiff fell, thereby raising a triable issue of fact whether there was a snow storm in progress at the time of the fall and, if not, whether a reasonable period of time had elapsed after the cessation of the storm to impose a duty on defendant to remove the snow and ice (see, Cerra v. Perk Dev., supra, at 879, 602 N.Y.S.2d 277).
Order unanimously affirmed without costs.
MEMORANDUM:
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: November 13, 1998
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)