Court Opinion

ID: 9575683
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:15:55.624284+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:49:46.901262
License: Public Domain

Judge Phillips
dissenting.
In my opinion the rules of law stated by the majority do not apply to plaintiffs’ case. Plaintiff does not allege that she was injured by a condition of the premises that existed when she got there, in which event the host’s gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct would have to be shown. Her claim is that she was injured because after her arrival on the premises defendants actively increased the hazard to her by negligently causing grass to accumulate on the steps. This basis for imposing liability on a host property owner has been approved in many cases starting with Jones v. Southern Railway Co., 199 N.C. 1, 153 S.E. 637 (1930). Also see Prosser and Keeton, The Law of Torts Sec. 60, p. 416 (5th ed. 1984).
In my view plaintiffs’ affidavits raise an issue of fact as to defendants’ active negligence in increasing the hazard to the femme plaintiff after she got on the property and the summary judgment should be reversed.