NOTWITHSTANDING THE TENANT’S LEASE-OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE SIDEWALK FREE OF ICE AND SNOW, THE LANDLORD HAD THE NONDELEGABLE DUTY TO KEEP A RAMP LEADING TO THE SIDEWALK IN A SAFE CONDITION IN THIS SLIP AND FALL CASE (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the defendant owner of the property leased by a restaurant had a nondelegable duty to keep a metal ramp leading from the restaurant to the sidewalk (a special use of the sidewalk) in a safe condition, notwithstanding the restaurant’s lease-obligation to remove ice and snow from the sidewalk. Plaintiff, a restaurant employee, slipped and fell on snow and ice on the ramp:

Plaintiff, an employee of the restaurant owned by third-party defendant, slipped and fell on snow and ice on a metal ramp leading from the side door of the restaurant to the sidewalk. Third-party defendant leases the ground floor and basement space from defendant landowner. The evidence shows that the ramp was erected over the public sidewalk alongside defendant’s building, and is not included in the diagram of the leased space. Further, the director of leasing for defendant’s property manager testified that the ramp was built for use by people with disabilities.

Notwithstanding any lease provisions obligating the restaurant to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk, defendant, as owner of the property abutting the sidewalk, had a nondelegable duty to keep the sidewalk, and any special uses made of the sidewalk, in a safe condition, including the removal of snow and ice … . Dembele v 373-381 Pas Assoc., LLC, 2020 NY Slip Op 02256, First Dept 4-9-20