Court Opinion

ID: 9791071
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:04:35.777658+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:33.742146
License: Public Domain

McALLISTER, C. J.,
dissenting.
In my opinion the question of plaintiff’s contributory negligence was properly submitted to the jury. The lifetime habit of walking from one room to another on the same floor level is not easily broken. When plaintiff returned to her room the 5%-inch barrier between the bedroom and the bathroom, was hidden from her view by the bathroom door. She opened the door and by reflex action stepped forward and was tripped by the sill. The jury was entitled to find, and evidently did find, that she had not occupied the room long enough to become accustomed to this unusual condition, and was, therefore, not negligent in momentarily f orgetting about it. In my opinion her conduct was normal and reasonable, and the judgment on the verdict should be reinstated. I dissent.