Let’s see, New York City (NYC), a bustling metropolis with just a few lawyers in the local area. The usual suspects; architect, materials provider, contractor, building inspector, union and Mafia ... eney, meeney, miny, moe ... choose one or all!
The idea of being unable to lean against a railing is ridiculous and I have this suspicion that NYC has more regulations about this than almost any other place on earth. Add some more regs?
I remember a series of pictures in Life Magazine, late ‘60s or early ‘70s, of a woman falling from the balcony or the fire escape of her apartment building. Still a frightening thought.