Parking Lot Concrete Wheel Stop Not a Dangerous Condition
The Second Department noted that a concrete wheel stop in a Costco parking lot is “open and obvious” and is not a dangerous condition. Costco leased the parking lot from the out-of-possession owner:
While Costco had a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe manner … , there is no duty to protect or warn against an open and obvious condition that is not inherently dangerous … . Generally ” [a] wheel stop or concrete parking lot divider which is clearly visible presents no unreasonable risk of harm'” … .
Here, Costco established its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by showing that the wheel stop over which the plaintiff tripped and fell, which was cement-colored in contrast to the color of the pavement to which it was affixed, was not an inherently dangerous condition and was readily observable by those employing the reasonable use of their senses … . Miller v Costco Wholesale Corp, 2015 NY Slip Op 01429, 2nd Dept 2-18-15