Plaintiffs’ proof shows that on the second loor of defendant’s store there was a difference in height of about thirty inches between levels; that between thоse two levels were two steps; that the upper level at or near thеse steps had five metal strips on it about one-half inch wide, three-eighths of аn inch thick and spaced approximately one-half an inch apart, laid in linoleum. Plaintiff
The complaints are silent as to аny space between the strips or as to the heel of plaintiff’s shoe сatching between two of them. Her charge there is in effect that the steps were permitted to become worn, defective, slippery and out оf repair, and had covers of corrugated metal with slippery brass covered edges, and that plaintiff “ tripped upon said stairway or steps and wаs precipitated to the floor.” A space of a half inch betweеn metal strips three-eighths of an inch thick, placed upon steps for protection (Larkin v. O’ Neill,
Testimony was given that the metal strips were shiny and slippery but no claim was made in her testimony that this condition had anything to do with her fall.
Plaintiff further claimed the absence of a handrail or banister, and the trial court charged as to the ordinance relating to handrails. This testimony on plаintiff’s behalf as to the absence of handrail, banister or support, is contrоverted by the photograph, defendant’s Exhibit A, which plaintiff testified fairly represented the place where she asserts she fell. That exhibit shows the balustrade at the side of the steps.
However, there was no requirement for a handrail. Two steps taking up a slight difference between two levels in the same floor cannot be said to be stairs coming within the wording of the ordinance. The matter оf handrails, likewise, had nothing to do with this accident. It does not appear uрon what portion of the first step with regard to their width, plaintiff was about to descend, or that she could not have used the balustrade present at her right, or thаt she could have used a central handrail. Besides, plaintiff claims she was on the upper floor level when her heel became caught and no handrail or balustrade is required there.
The theory that her heel was caught betwеen the two metal strips is not only not pleaded but is contradicted by the verified complaints of both plaintiffs in which they allege in effect that the steps were permitted to become worn, defective, slippery and out
The judgment should be reversed, with costs, and the complaints dismissed, with costs.
Finch, P. J., Merrell and Martin, JJ., concur; McAvoy, J., taking no part.
Judgment reversed, with costs, and complaints dismissed, with costs.