PROOF DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE PLACEMENT OF A RUG CONSTITUTED A DANGEROUS CONDITION IN THIS SLIP AND FALL CASE, DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the proof did not establish the placement of a rug was a dangerous condition in this slip and fall case:

Plaintiff commenced this action seeking damages for injuries she sustained when she allegedly tripped and fell on a rug while walking through a restaurant owned and operated by defendant. We agree with defendant that Supreme Court erred in denying its motion seeking summary judgment dismissing the complaint. We therefore reverse the order, grant the motion, and dismiss the complaint. “Although the issue whether a certain condition qualifies as dangerous or defective is usually a question of fact for the jury to decide . . . , summary judgment in favor of a defendant is appropriate where a plaintiff fails to submit any evidence that a particular condition is actually defective or dangerous’ ” … . Here, defendant established its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by submitting evidence that the placement of the rug in the restaurant did not constitute a dangerous condition, and in opposition plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact … . Glosek v Bella Pizza, 2020 NY Slip Op 00933, Fourth Dept 2-7-20