PROFITABLE PERSONAL INJURY PRACTICE FEBRUARY 23, 2007 PREMISES LIABILITY CASES By: Pennsylvania Lawyer , JOEL D. FELDMAN, ESQUIRE ANAPOL SCHWARTZ WEISS COHAN FELDMAN & SMALLEY P.C. 1900 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 735-3716 [email_address]

I. TYPES of PREMISES ACCIDENT CASES A. Slips, Trips and Falls B. Elevators and Escalators C. Security Issues D. Liquor Liability/Dram Shop E. Construction

A. Slips, Trips and Falls

B. Elevators and Escalators

C. Security Issues

D. Liquor Liability/Dram Shop

E. Construction

A. Investigation (1) Plaintiff's interview (2) Preservation of evidence (3) Surveillance (4) On-site inspection (5) Expert

(1) Plaintiff's interview

(2) Preservation of evidence

(3) Surveillance

(4) On-site inspection

(5) Expert

B. Potential Defendants (1) Property owner (2) Facilities manager (3) Independent contractor - service contractor (4) Manufacturer and installer - elevator cases (5) General and Sub-contractors - construction cases

(1) Property owner

(2) Facilities manager

(3) Independent contractor

- service contractor

(4) Manufacturer and installer

- elevator cases

(5) General and Sub-contractors

- construction cases

C. Depositions (1) Corporate designee (2) Videotape deposition of defendants

(1) Corporate designee

(2) Videotape deposition of defendants

D. Duty of Care (1) Licensee or invitee (2) Possessor of land

(1) Licensee or invitee

(2) Possessor of land

SLIPS, TRIPS, & FALLS A. Snow and ice Hills and ridges Isolated patches of snow and ice B. Other slippery surfaces - tile, floor finishes C. Coefficient of friction/slip testing

SLIPS, TRIPS, & FALLS

A. Snow and ice

Hills and ridges

Isolated patches of snow and ice

B. Other slippery surfaces

- tile, floor finishes

C. Coefficient of friction/slip testing

II. SLIPS, TRIPS, & FALLS (con’t) D. Stairway accidents (1) Variation in riser heights (2) Tread surfaces (3) Conspicuity of steps/"missed steps"

D. Stairway accidents

(1) Variation in riser heights

(2) Tread surfaces

(3) Conspicuity of steps/"missed steps"

D. Stairway Accidents

III. ELEVATORS A. Trips and falls – “Misleveling” B. Door strikes – - door reopening devices - mechanical - proximity - optical

A. Trips and falls – “Misleveling”

B. Door strikes –

- door reopening devices

- mechanical

- proximity

- optical

III. ELEVATORS (con’t) C. Abrupt stops (1) Pit impact

C. Abrupt stops

(1) Pit impact

III. ELEVATORS (con’t) (2) Yo-yo effect (3) Stuck between floors

(2) Yo-yo effect

(3) Stuck between floors

IV. SECURITY ISSUES A. No security despite prior history B. Inadequate security C. Poorly trained security personnel

A. No security despite prior history

B. Inadequate security

C. Poorly trained security personnel

III. ELEVATORS (con’t) (D) Proof – Res Ipsa

(D) Proof – Res Ipsa

LIQUOR LIABILITY / DRAM SHOP A. Proof of visible intoxication B. Minors/Habitual drunkards C. Social Host Liability

LIQUOR LIABILITY / DRAM SHOP

A. Proof of visible intoxication

B. Minors/Habitual drunkards

C. Social Host Liability

V. DRAM SHOP (con’t) D. Relationship to Other Causes of Action (1) Automobile (2) Products liability (3) Governmental entities (4) Highway design (5) Premises liability

D. Relationship to Other Causes of Action

(1) Automobile

(2) Products liability

(3) Governmental entities

(4) Highway design

(5) Premises liability

V. DRAM SHOP (con’t) E. Releases F. Admissibility of blood alcohol content

E. Releases

F. Admissibility of blood alcohol content

VI. MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES Flammable furniture Video of Couch Fire Test

Flammable furniture

Video of Couch Fire Test