Court Opinion

ID: 9522535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 02:28:06.602055+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:03:10.441636
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE GUILD, dissenting: I respectfully dissent. I believe that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent as a matter of law. There was a cleared driveway through which he could have exited the parking lot. I am not impressed by the fact that cars were using this driveway. He simply could have waited until the way was clear and entered the lot without climbing over a snow bank. I feel that this case is quite similar to this court’s opinion in Whitson v. U.S.I.F. Rockford Corp. (1975), 30 Ill. App. 3d 898, 333 N.E.2d 697 (abstract). While the facts are not set forth in that abstract decision, the plaintiff there had alternative cleared routes for return to her car in a parking lot, but chose to climb over a snow bank. I do not think that the fact that there was but one cleared route in the instant case makes this case so different that the plaintiff herein would not be guilty of contributory negligence as a matter of law. I would affirm the trial court.