Rodriguez v. Serge Elevators Co., Inc.

New York Court of Appeals February 13, 2003

Rodriguez v. Serge Elevators Co., Inc., 787 N.E.2d 1155 (N.Y. 2003)

99 N.Y.2d 587; 757 N.Y.S.2d 809; 2003 N.Y. LEXIS 140

Chief Judge Kaye and Judges Smith, Ciparick, Wesley, Rosenblatt, Graffeo and Read Concur in Memorandum

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, with costs, and defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint denied.

Plaintiff seeks to invoke the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur in her personal injury action. Because plaintiff presented evidence of each element of this doctrine (see Dermatossian v New York City Tr. Auth., 67 NY2d 219 [1986]), the Appellate Division erred in granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint. Plaintiffs inability to identify in which of two service elevators she was riding is not fatal to her claim because no dispute exists that defendant exclusively maintained both elevators.

Chief Judge Kaye and Judges Smith, Ciparick, Wesley, Rosenblatt, Graffeo and Read concur in memorandum.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 NYCRR 500.4), order reversed, etc.

Reference

Full Case Name: Juana Rodriguez, Appellant, v. Serge Elevators Company, Inc., Respondent
Cited By: 4 cases
Status: Published