In a recent premises liability case, the Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned a trial court decision for plaintiff on the basis of lack of actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition, a key element in any premises liability case. In Barkley v. Shelby Co. Board of Educ., No. W2014-00417-COA-R3-CV…
Articles Posted in Premises Liability
Suing Vaccine Cynic Parents and Day Care Centers When a Child Contracts Measles
In case you have been living under a rock and have not heard, there are at least 121 confirmed cases of the measles traced from an outbreak at Disneyland in California in December. The outbreak is significant for a number of reasons: 1. Last year, the U.S. had a record…
No Liability Where Customer Walked Backwards over an Obvious Curb
In Holland v. K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., No. E2013-02798-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Jan. 13, 2015) we have a rather typical trip and fall case – one similar to that Tennessee personal injury lawyers are called about quite frequently. Ms. Holland sued defendant property owner for injuries incurred when she fell over a curb…
Business Owners who Ejected Patrons into Street Just Before Shootout Avoid Liability
In Akridge v. Fathom, No. E2014-0071-COA-R9-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Jan. 7, 2015), plaintiffs filed a premises liability action after being injured in a shooting that occurred just outside defendants’ business. Defendants operated a music venue/club targeted to at-risk youth including gang members. Plaintiffs attended a…
No Evidence of Constructive Notice Leads to Summary Judgment in Tennessee Premises Liability Case
In Hannah v. Sherwood Forest Rentals, LLC, No. E2014-00082-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 17, 2014), plaintiff filed a premises liability action against a cabin rental company and the cabin owners. Plaintiff, a guest at the cabin, alleged that she arrived at a rental cabin after dark, ascended the stairs to…
Claim Washed Down the Drain By Tennessee Statute of Repose and Lack of Constructive Notice
Tthis is a premise liability case arising from the collapse of a bench in a handicap shower at the defendant’s hotel. Upon checking into their handicap room at the Holiday Inn Express, the Parkers noticed the bench in the handicap shower appeared to be loose. The brackets were pulled away…
Memphis Premises Liability Case Fails
In the recent premises liability opinion of Wolfe v. Felts, Jr. No. W2013-01995-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. May 29, 2014), the court of appeals affirmed a trial court’s decision to grant directed verdict in favor of defendants in a case where plaintiff fell on ice that had formed in front of…
Negligent Failure to Have a Nightlight? Nope
The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s premises case in Smith v. Stanley, No. E2013-00886-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. May 12, 2014). Plaintiff visited a cabin with her sister and cousin. The cabin was owned by defendants, who are plaintiff’s aunt and uncle. Plaintiff was the first…
After this Case, the Wedding is Going to be Pretty Awkward
This is a slip and fall case. The plaintiff was engaged to the defendants’ daughter. On multiple occasions, the defendants had hosted the plaintiff at their lake home for extended visits. In the summer of 2010, the plaintiff was again the invited guest of the defendants. Shortly before his visit, the power company…
Poor Lighting Leads to Reversal of Summary Judgment for Defendant in Tennessee Fall Down Case
Knowledge of inadequate lighting was enough to create a jury issue of dangerous condition in Christian v. Ayers L.P. d/b/a Ms. Lassie’s Lodge, No. E2013-00401-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. March 28, 2014), according to the Eastern Section of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Plaintiff attended an event for “Relay for Life” sponsored…