Judge Sues City For $1 Million After Slipping On Wet Floor

A New York judge plans to file a $1 million lawsuit against the city after slipping on a just-mopped floor in his own courthouse.

Jack Battaglia, who hears civil cases and earns $136,000 a year, is even targeting the courthouse cleaning lady who wielded the mop, according to the Daily News.

Battaglia accuses the city of "negligently using a mop bucket and wringer" and "negligently using a mop and soapy water" to create a "dangerous and hazardous traplike condition."

"It's a bizarre irony that a judge who often makes settlements is himself now seeking compensation from the city," said Dick Dadey, who leads the government watchdog group Citizens Union.

"Everyone is entitled to equal justice, but I hope he's not using his intimate knowledge of the system to maximize his claim."

A courthouse insider took aim at Battaglia's decision to include the janitor responsible for the puddle - identified in court papers only as "Joanna Doe."

"That's pretty petty," he said. "I don't think suing the janitor makes his lawsuit any stronger."

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