City Law Comments

Pelaez v. Seide, 2 N.Y.3d 186 (2004)
By Scott Glotzer ‘07

In two negligence cases brought by parents on behalf of children suffering from lead poisoning, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that municipal governments were not liable for their alleged negligence in enforcing lead paint prevention laws absent a special relationship with the victims. Request the original.

The New York Times Company v. City of New York Fire Department, 4 N.Y.3d 477 (2005)
By Michele M. Herrmann ‘06

In a Freedom of Information Law case brought by the New York Times to obtain access to records related to September 11, 2001, the Court of Appeals ruled that the FDNY was required to disclose oral histories recalling events of September 11th, that 911 calls made by private callers fell within FOIL’s privacy exemption, and that the FDNY was required to disclose the portions of the dispatch calls which contained factual data or instructions affecting the public. Request the original.