Robert Rausch was recently successful at trial in the defense of a trip-and-fall claim venued in Saratoga County. In the matter of Abel v. Clifton Perk, the plaintiff tripped over the base of a “Daily Specials” sign located near the front counter of a local coffee shop, and maintained that the cafe was negligent in its use and placement of the sign. In defense of the claim, Rob argued that the sign was open and obvious, had existed in that location without any prior problems or complaints, and that the only cause of the accident was the plaintiff’s own failure to be aware of her surroundings. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defendants.