Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

Millard Barber, 7 6 , lived in a small apartment building in an economically depressed, high - crime area. The building had dim and broken

Millard Barber, 76, lived in a small apartment building in an economically depressed, high-crime area. The building had dim and broken lights resulting in very poor lighting at the buildings entrance. The outer door of the building entered into a small foyer with an inner door that granted access to the apartments. Although the outer door was to be kept continuously locked, the lock broke some time ago, and ever since the door has been continuously unlocked. As Barber was about to enter the building one night, the outer door was suddenly opened by an unidentified man who had been hiding inside the foyer. The man beat and robbed Barber, who brought a lawsuit against Andrew Lewis, the owner, and landlord of the building. At trial, the judge granted the defendants motion for a directed verdict of no cause of action. We reverse. We have previously held that persons can be liable for negligently exposing other persons to foreseeable criminal activities. This is such a case. The woefully inadequate lighting and locks were physical defects in a common area of the building under the landlords control. This would be a different case if the building had not contained such defects. But it did, and the landlords negligence in failing to repair the defects made it more likely than not that plaintiff would be victimized by a criminal attack. Remanded for a jury trial.

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Project management

Authors: Harvey maylor

4th Edition

027370432X, 978-0273704324

More Books

Students also viewed these General Management questions