Cornluis Jennings was trapped in a building's elevator. After manually opening the door, Cornelius fell down the elevator shaft and injured himself after attempting to jump or climb out of the cab.
When Cornelius later filed a negligence case, both the Bronx County Supreme Court and the Appellate Division, First Department, found a few problems with his claim.
Since there was no emergency presented, and the elevator was "well lit, not moving and not making noise," both courts were of the opinion that Cornelius's actions (to find a means of escape) were unforeseeable and that no liability for his injuries could attach. (That Cornelius was "inebriated" and told that help had been on its way, were other factors that didn't work in his favor.)
For a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Jennings v. 1704 Realty, L.L.C.