Berner v. Town of Huntington
The court addressed the defendant's motion to reargue a previously denied summary judgment motion. The original denial stemmed from the court's finding that an exception to the prior written notice requirement for municipalities applied, as the defendant, Town of Huntington, had actual knowledge of a defective curb, had inspected it, and had slated it for repair. The defendant contended that recent Court of Appeals precedent, particularly Amabile v City of Buffalo, abrogated this 'actual notice and inspection' exception. However, the court distinguished Amabile by noting it concerned constructive notice and reaffirmed the vitality of the narrow exception for actual notice coupled with inspection. The court emphasized that the policy behind written notice laws is not to shield municipalities from liability for known and unaddressed defects, especially when a property owner has vigilantly reported the issue. Consequently, the court granted reargument but upheld its initial decision, allowing the plaintiff's claim to proceed.