Farber Brocks & Zane LLP successfully obtained the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit in a case of first impression, highlighting the firm’s deep knowledge of building code interpretation and premises liability defense.
The case involved a plaintiff who was injured on cellar stairs leading to a sidewalk vault. The tenant had installed a conveyor belt on the stairs to facilitate deliveries. The plaintiff sought to hold the out-of-possession landlord liable, arguing that the stairs were “interior stairs” under the New York City Building Code and therefore subject to specific safety requirements.
Drawing on a precise reading of the building code and a strategic presentation of evidence, Farber Brocks & Zane persuasively argued that the cellar stairs did not qualify as “interior stairs.” The Court agreed, holding that such stairs—used for transporting merchandise and leading to locked sidewalk doors—are not designed for human egress and therefore fall outside the scope of interior stair regulations. This decision reinforces Farber Brocks & Zane’s reputation for delivering results in complex premises liability cases, particularly where code interpretation and landlord/tenant responsibilities are in dispute.