Erickson v. Curtis Investment Co.

OPINION

SIMONETT, Justice.

Does the operator of a commercial parking ramp owe a duty to a ramp customer to protect her from a trespassing rapist? We think so and affirm the court of appeals. As to the legal responsibility of the security firm hired to patrol the ramp, we hold, as did the court of appeals, that there are issues of fact on whether the security firm breached its duty and on causation.

Plaintiff-respondent Garnet Erickson was sexually assaulted and raped in the Curtis parking ramp in downtown Minneapolis late one winter afternoon as she was preparing to drive her car out of the…