Who is liable for a slip and fall accident in Nina's apartment building?

The Case of Nina, Sue, and Seth

It all started when Nina hired Sue to work as a janitor in Nina's apartment building. Sue's responsibility was to ensure that the building was kept clean and safe for all residents and visitors. Unfortunately, Sue was negligent in her duties when she left a crack in the marble staircase unrepaired and failed to put up a warning sign to alert people of the hazard.

One day, Seth, a resident of the building, was walking down the staircase when he slipped on the crack and suffered severe injuries. Now, the question arises: who is liable for this accident?

Liability in Slip and Fall Cases

In cases of slip and fall accidents, liability usually falls on the property owner or the person responsible for maintaining the property. In this scenario, both Nina and Sue could potentially be held liable for Seth's injuries.

If Nina knew about the crack and did not take any remedial action, such as putting up a warning sign or having it repaired, then she could be considered negligent and responsible for the accident. Property owners have a duty to ensure that their premises are safe for anyone who enters the property, and failing to address known hazards can make them liable for any resulting injuries.

On the other hand, if Sue failed to inform Nina about the crack or urged her to take action to fix it, then Sue could also be held liable for the accident. As the janitor responsible for maintaining the building, Sue had a duty to report any safety hazards she encountered and take appropriate measures to address them.