Case ID: ohio-cc-dec_28/html/0476-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "HENRY, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

NEGLIGENCE.
    [Cuyahoga (8th) Circuit,
    December 7, 1908.]
    Henry, Marvin and Winch, JJ.
    Isaac Leisy Brew. Co. v. Alphons Kapl.
    Liability for Leaving Heavy Piece of Furniture in Street Which' Overturns on Child.
    One who leaves a heavy article in the public streets in unstable equilibrium and in such manner as would be likely to attract children, is liable in damages to a child who has been attracted to it and is injured by having it fall upon him while playing' about it.
    
      Solders, Thayer & Mansfield, for plaintiff in error.
    
      Daioley & Meals, for defendant in error.
   HENRY, J.

In the action below the defendant in error recovered a verdict and- judgment for injuries sustained by him from the overthrow of a bar fixture which had been temporarily placed during removal, in the space, between sidewalk and curb in the-street, in front of the plaintiff’s premises. It was left in unstable equilibrium, and the defendant in error, a child of six years, intermeddled with it so that it fell over on him.

Because this was a public street where the child had a right to be and whdre it was to be expected that small children would exercise their childish instincts, a majority of the court are unwilling to hold that the doctrine of Wheeling & L. E. Ry. v. Harvey, 77 Ohio St. 235 [83 N. E. 66; 19 L. R. A.(N. S.)1136; 122 Am. St. 503; 11 Ann. Cas. 981], as applicable to private premises, rules in this case; especially as that decision distinguishes instead of in terms reversing, Harriman v. Railway, 45 Ohio St. 11 [12 N. E. 451; 4 Am. St. 507].

Judgment affirmed.

Marvin, J., concurs.

Winch, J., dissents.