Courtroom Success 2015-13: New York Partner Demi Sophocleous

New York Partner Demi Sophocleous obtained summary judgment in Kings County, Supreme Court in favor of our client, a snow-removal contractor. Plaintiff, a pedestrian, alleged that he slipped and fell on snow and ice that had been piled curbside in a negligent manner. The plaintiff commenced the lawsuit against the owner of the property adjacent to the sidewalk where he fell, as well as the property’s management company and the snow-removal contractor. At his deposition, plaintiff testified that his accident occurred when he exited his vehicle and climbed over a snow bank to reach the sidewalk and then slipped on black ice. Following oral argument, the Court dismissed the plaintiff’s complaint against all defendants. As to the snow-removal contractor, the Court found that it did not owe to plaintiff any duty of care and that it was not negligent in the performance of its contractual snow removal obligations.