Schwartz v. Kings Third Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.

116 A.D.3d 474, 984 N.Y.S.2d 13

This text of 116 A.D.3d 474 (Schwartz v. Kings Third Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Schwartz v. Kings Third Avenue Pharmacy, Inc., 116 A.D.3d 474, 984 N.Y.S.2d 13 (N.Y. Ct. App. 2014).

Opinion

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Cynthia S. Kern, J), entered January 8, 2013, which granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

Defendant established its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law in this action where plaintiff was injured when she allegedly tripped and fell over a display rack in the aisle of de[475]*475fendant’s store. Defendant demonstrated that the display rack was an open and obvious condition and was not inherently dangerous (see e.g. Schulman v Old Navy/Gap, Inc., 45 AD3d 475 [1st Dept 2007]). Defendant referred to plaintiffs testimony that she saw the display rack before the accident and submitted photographs of the rack showing its open and obvious nature, and that it was placed in a reasonably safe location. The photographs also show that the base did not protrude into the aisle, was essentially flush with the shelves above, and that the rack was placed flat against the shelving in the aisle, which was clear and uncluttered (see Gonzalez v Dong Yun Corp., 110 AD3d 484 [1st Dept 2013]; Speirs v Dick’s Clothing & Sporting Goods, 268 AD2d 581 [2d Dept 2000]).

In opposition, plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact. Contrary to her argument that the display rack was placed at the end of the aisle such that she did not have sufficient time to perceive it upon turning into the aisle, the evidence, including her testimony, shows that the rack was located at least several feet into the aisle (compare Westbrook v WR Activities-Cabrera Mkts., 5 AD3d 69 [1st Dept 2004]; Robinson v 206-16 Hollis Ave. Food Corp., 82 AD3d 735 [2d Dept 2011]). Moreover, plaintiff stated that she noticed the rack before the accident, and her expert’s affidavit fails to raise a triable issue, and was conclusory and speculative (see e.g. Vazquez v JRG Realty Corp., 81 AD3d 555 [1st Dept 2011]).

We have considered plaintiffs remaining arguments and find them unavailing. Concur — Mazzarelli, J.E, Andrias, DeGrasse, Feinman and Kapnick, JJ.

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Related

Westbrook v. WR Activities-Cabrera Markets
5 A.D.3d 69 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2004)
Schulman v. Old Navy/The Gap, Inc.
45 A.D.3d 475 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2007)
Vazquez v. JRG Realty Corp.
81 A.D.3d 555 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2011)
Robinson v. 206-16 Hollis Ave. Food Corp.
82 A.D.3d 735 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2011)
Gonzalez v. Dong Yun Corp.
110 A.D.3d 484 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2013)
Speirs v. Dick's Clothing & Sporting Goods, Inc.
268 A.D.2d 581 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2000)

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Bluebook (online)
116 A.D.3d 474, 984 N.Y.S.2d 13, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/schwartz-v-kings-third-avenue-pharmacy-inc-nyappdiv-2014.