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ARTICLE ID 169237

$________ Premises liability - Hazardous premises - Alleged negligent construction of interior staircase in apartment building - Plaintiff tenant allegedly falls on uneven and too narrow tread width nearing the bottom of stairs - Ankle fracture.

Hudson County, NJ

The 47-year-old plaintiff tenant contended that the interior staircase was negligently constructed in that the treads were of uneven width. The plaintiff further contended that the tread on which she fell was inadequately wide. The defendant denied that the stairway was dangerous. The defendant further contended that if it applied, the building would have complied with the building code. The defendant also contended that if it did not comply, the building would nonetheless be exempt because it could not retrofit the area without tearing the entire building down.

The defendant also contended that the plaintiff, who lived in the building for several years and who was familiar with the stairs, was comparatively negligent. The defendant would have further pointed to evidence that the plaintiff was carrying a shopping- type bag when she fell.

The plaintiff sustained a bimalleolar fracture and underwent surgery. She contended that she will permanently suffer pain and difficulties ambulating. The plaintiff, who was an administrative assistant, would have maintained that the injuries prevented her from working for approximately six months.

The case settled prior to trial for $________.

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