Scala v. Scala, 31 A.D.3d 423 (N.Y. App. Div. 2006). · Go Syfert
Scala v. Scala, 31 A.D.3d 423 (N.Y. App. Div. 2006). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
66 citation events (66 in the last 25 years) across 3 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Pelletteri v. Ferrantino & Co., Inc. (nysupctkings, 2024-05-28)
Treatment trajectory · 2006 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2006 2016 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 29 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pelletteri v. Ferrantino & Co., Inc.
N.Y. Sup. Kings · 2024 · confidence medium
"Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause" ( Kalland , 84 AD3d at 890 , citing Howard v Poseidon Pools , 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala , 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pineiro v. Rush
N.Y. App. Div. · 2018 · confidence medium
Corp. , 147 AD3d 1277, 1279 [2017]; Baird v Gormley , 116 AD3d 1121, 1124 [2014]), we find a triable issue of fact as to whether the condition of the porch was a proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries ( see Kraft v Loso , 154 AD3d 1265, 1266 [2017]; Jankite v Scoresby Hose Co. , 119 AD3d 1189, 1191 [2014]; Boudreau-Grillo v Ramirez , 74 AD3d 1265, 1267 [2010]; Bush v Mechanicville Warehouse Corp. , 69 AD3d 1207, 1209 [2010]; Scala v Scala , 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Estate of Cook v. Gomez
N.Y. App. Div. · 2016 · confidence medium
There can be more than one *677 proximate cause of an accident (see Jones v Vialva-Duke, 106 AD3d 1052 [2013]; Lopez v Reyes-Flores, 52 AD3d 785, 786 [2008]; Cox v Nunez, 23 AD3d 427, 427 [2005]), and, “generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Riccio v Kid Fit, Inc., 126 AD3d 873 [2015]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Canals v. Tilcon New York, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2016 · confidence medium
“Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of *684 proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sang Woon Lee v. Il Mook Choi
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Miller v. United Parcel Service, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“There can be more than one proximate cause of an accident” (Cox v Nunez, 23 AD3d 427, 427 [2005]; see Jones v Vialva-Duke, 106 AD3d 1052 [2013]), and “[generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Riccio v Kid Fit, Inc., 126 AD3d 873 [2015]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Felix v. Falletta Carting Corp.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“There can be more than one proximate cause of an accident” (Cox v Nunez, 23 AD3d 427, 427 [2005]; see Jones v Vialva-Duke, 106 AD3d 1052 [2013]; Graeber-Nagel v Naranjan, 101 AD3d 1078 [2012]), and “[generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Riccio v Kid Fit, Inc., 126 AD3d 873 [2015]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Milan v. Yonkers Raceway Corp.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Auth., 14 AD3d 685, 686 [2005]; cf. Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]; Hotzoglou v Hotzoglou, 221 AD2d 594, 594 [1995]; Portilla v Rodriguez, 179 AD2d 631, 631 [1992]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Theodorou v. Perry
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“There can be more than one proximate cause of an accident” (Cox v Nunez, 23 AD3d 427, 427 [2005]; see Jones v Vialva-Duke, 106 AD3d 1052 [2013]), and “[generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Riccio v Kid Fit, Inc., 126 AD3d 873 [2015]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Velez v. Mandato
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
“There can be more than one proximate cause of an accident” (Cox v Nunez, 23 AD3d 427, 427 [2005]; see Jones v Vialva-Duke, 106 AD3d 1052 [2013]), and “[generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Riccio v Kid Fit, Inc., 126 AD3d 873 [2015]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Smart v. Rivet
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
OCO also failed to establish as a matter of law that its alleged negligence was not a proximate cause of the accident. “[T]he issue of proximate cause may be decided as a matter of law ‘where only one conclusion may be drawn from the established facts’ ” (Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Smart v. Rivet
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · confidence medium
OCO also failed to establish as a matter of law that its alleged negligence was not a proximate cause of the accident. “[T]he issue of proximate cause may be decided as a matter of law ‘where only one conclusion may be drawn from the established facts’ ” (Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Martino v. Patmar Properties, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
“Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Braverman v. Bendiner & Schlesinger, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
“Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause” (Kalland v Hungry Harbor Assoc., LLC, 84 AD3d 889, 889 [2011]; see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jankite v. Scoresby Hose Co.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Corp., 51 NY2d 308, 315 [1980]; see Bush v Mechanicville Warehouse Corp., 69 AD3d 1207, 1209 [2010]; Antonia v Srour, 69 AD3d 666, 666-667 [2010]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jankite v. Scoresby Hose Co.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Corp., 51 NY2d 308, 315 [1980]; see Bush v Mechanicville Warehouse Corp., 69 AD3d 1207, 1209 [2010]; Antonia v Srour, 69 AD3d 666, 666-667 [2010]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]).
cited Cited as authority (rule) JankitevScoresbyHoseCompany
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · confidence medium
Corp., 51 NY2d 308, 315 [1980]; see Bush v Mechanicville Warehouse Corp., 69 AD3d 1207, 1209 [2010]; Antonia v Srour, 69 AD3d 666, 666-667 [2010]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Duguay v. City of New York
S.D.N.Y. · 2012 · confidence medium
It is well established that “there may be more than one proximate cause of an accident.” Scala v. Scala, 31 A.D.3d 423, 424-25 , 818 N.Y.S.2d 151, 152 (2d Dep’t 2006) (citing Forte v. City of Albany, 279 N.Y. 416, 422 , 18 N.E.2d 643 (1939)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kalland v. Hungry Harbor Associates
N.Y. App. Div. · 2011 · confidence medium
Generally, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause (see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Anderson v. Columbari
N.Y. App. Div. · 2010 · confidence medium
Corp., 32 AD3d 382 [2006]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]; Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306, 307 [2006]; Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD3d 361, 362 [2004]), and the plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact in that regard.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Antonia v. Srour
N.Y. App. Div. · 2010 · confidence medium
Corp., 32 AD3d 382 [2006]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]; Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306, 307 [2006]; Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD3d 361, 362 [2004]; Kanarvogel v Tops Appliance City, 271 AD2d 409, 411 [2000]; Hotzoglou v Hotzoglou, 221 AD2d 594 [1995]; Lattimore v Falcone, 35 AD2d 1069 [1970]; see also Christian v Railroad Deli Grocery, 57 AD3d 599, 601 [2008]; Jackson v Fenton, 38 AD3d 495 [2007]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Velez v. 955 Tenants Stockholders, Inc.
N.Y. App. Div. · 2009 · confidence medium
Corp., 32 AD3d 382 [2006]; Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306, 307 [2006]; Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD3d 361, 361-362 [2004]; see also Christian v Railroad Deli Grocery, 57 AD3d 599, 601 [2008]; Martinez v Melendez, 32 AD3d 999, 1000 [2006]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]; Cruz v Lormet Hous.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Reid v. State
N.Y. App. Div. · 2009 · confidence medium
School Dist., 41 AD3d 1085, 1086-1087 [2007]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424-425 [2006]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Christian v. Railroad Deli Grocery
N.Y. App. Div. · 2008 · confidence medium
Furthermore, the injured plaintiffs deposition testimony that she unsuccessfully attempted to “reach [ ]” out and “grab for something ... to hold on to” after slipping on the ice, raised a triable issue of fact as to whether the absence of a handrail required by law was a proximate cause of her injuries (see Ocasio v Board of Educ. of City of N.Y., 35 AD3d 825, 826 [2006]; Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 425 [2006]; Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306, 307 [2006]; Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD3d 361, 361-362 [2004]; Hotzoglou v Hotzoglou, 221 AD2d 594 [1995]; see also Spallina v St.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Spallina v. St. Camillus Church
N.Y. App. Div. · 2008 · confidence medium
The defendants failed to make a prima facie showing of their entitlement to summary judgment because they failed to demonstrate, as a matter of law, that the subject ramp need not have been equipped with handrails (see Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]; Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306, 307 [2006]; Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD 3d 361 [2004]).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gestetner v. Teitelbaum
N.Y. App. Div. · 2008 · confidence medium
There may be more than one proximate cause of an accident (see Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]), and here, the plaintiffs allege that the subject slip-and-fall accident was caused by, inter alia, a defective sidewalk condition and inadequate lighting.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Avina v. Verburg
N.Y. App. Div. · 2008 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Accordingly, “[t]he possibility that handrails would have prevented [plaintiffs] fall is unfounded speculation, which is insufficient to deny summary judgment,” and Supreme Court properly dismissed the complaint (Sauer v Mannino, 309 AD2d 1053, 1054 [2003]; see Daria v Beacon Capital Co., 299 AD2d 312, 312 [2002]; Larkins v Hayes, 267 AD2d at 525-526; see also Ellis v County of Albany, 205 AD2d at 1007-1008 ; cf. Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424-425 [2006]; Courtney v Abro Hardware Corp., 286 App Div 261, 262 [1955], affd 1 NY2d 717 [1956]).
cited Cited "see" Martinez v. 1261 Realty Co., LLC
N.Y. App. Div. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
However, “[t]here may be more than one proximate cause of an accident” (Gestetner v Teitelbaum, 52 AD3d 778, 778 [2008]; see Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424-425 [2006]).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." DiLallo v. Katsan Ltd. Partnership
N.Y. App. Div. · 2015 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Moreover, if proven, a violation of the Building Code of New York State can be considered by a jury as some evidence of negligence (see Hill v Cartier, 258 AD2d 699, 701 [1999]; PJI 2:29; see also Scala v Scala, 31 AD3d 423, 424 [2006]; Enrichment Enters. v Jempris Realty Corp., 272 AD2d 432, 433 [2000]). *887 On appeal, the plaintiff argues that the trial court committed reversible error warranting a new trial by failing to instruct the jury in accordance with PJI 2:25 or 2:29.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Anita Scala
v.
Anthony Scala
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Jul 5, 2006.
31 A.D.3d 423
Cited by 43 opinions  |  Published

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the plaintiff appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, West-[*424] Chester County (Dillon, J.), entered August 22, 2005, which denied her motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability and granted the defendants’ cross motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

Ordered that the order is modified, on the law, by deleting the provision thereof granting the cross motion and substituting a provision therefor denying the cross motion; as so modified, the order is affirmed, with costs to the appellant, and the complaint is reinstated.

We agree with the determination of the Supreme Court denying the plaintiffs motion for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability. However, the Supreme Court improperly granted the defendants’ cross motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

On July 17, 2004 the plaintiff allegedly sustained injuries when she tripped and fell on a doll as she was descending the exterior stairs in front of the defendants’ home. The Supreme Court determined that the presence of the doll on the stairs caused the plaintiff’s fall, and that the absence of a handrail was not a cause of the fall. We disagree with the Supreme Court in that respect. The defendants acknowledged that their front stairs were rebuilt about one year before the accident and did not have a handrail attached to them. This proof, coupled with a review of legislation implementing the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (hereinafter the Code) and various provisions of the Code, show that the requirement set forth in section R 315.1 of the Code, that the front stairs have a handrail, was violated (see Executive Law § 377 [1]; 19 NYCRR 1220.1; see also Lester v Waterman, 242 AD2d 683 [1997]). The defendants did not establish, as a matter of law, that the premises was exempt from the applicable Code provision (see Asaro v Montalvo, 26 AD3d 306 [2006]).

A violation of the Code constitutes only some evidence of negligence (see Brigandi v Piechowicz, 13 AD3d 1105 [2004]; Enrichment Enters. v Jempris Realty Corp., 272 AD2d 432 [2000]). It is the plaintiffs burden to also establish that the violation proximately caused her injuries (see Burns v Gazda, 16 AD3d 1057 [2005]; Enrichment Enters. v Jempris Realty Corp., supra at 433). Ordinarily, it is for the trier of fact to determine the issue of proximate cause (see Howard v Poseidon Pools, 72 NY2d 972, 974 [1988]). However, the issue of proximate cause may be decided as a matter of law “where only one conclusion may be drawn from the established facts” (id. at 974, quoting Derdiarian v Felix Contr. Corp., 51 NY2d 308, 315 [1980]). Additionally, there may be more than one proximate cause of an[*425] accident (see Forte v City of Albany, 279 NY 416, 422 [1939]; Hyde v Long Is. R.R. Co., 277 AD2d 425, 426 [2000]).

Here, the presence of the doll on the stairs was the precipitating factor in the plaintiffs accident. However, “[e]ven if the fall was precipitated by a misstep, ‘[g]iven the plaintiffs testimony that [she] reached out to try to stop [her] fall, there is an issue of fact as to whether the absence of [handrails] was a proximate cause of [her] injury’ ” (Asaro v Montalvo, supra at 307, quoting Kanarvogel v Tops Appliance City, 271 AD2d 409, 411 [2000]; see Viscusi v Fenner, 10 AD3d 361 [2004]; Hotzoglou v Hotzoglou, 221 AD2d 594 [1995]; Lattimore v Falcone, 35 AD2d 1069 [1970]). The issue of whether the doll or the Code violation, or both, proximately caused the plaintiff’s accident should be decided by a jury (see Lopez v 1372 Shakespeare Ave. Hous. Dev. Fund Corp., 299 AD2d 230, 232 [2002]; see also Swerdlow v WSK Props. Corp., 5 AD3d 587, 588 [2004]). Therefore, the Supreme Court correctly denied the motion, but incorrectly granted the cross motion. Ritter, J.P., Krausman, Lifson and Lunn, JJ., concur.