Dawson v. Rhode Island Auditorium, Inc.

This is a negligence action which was tried before a superior court jury and resulted in a verdict for the defendant. Thereafter the trial justice granted the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial. The case is before us on the defendant’s appeal from the superior court’s dismissal of its motion for a directed verdict and its granting of the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial.

The defendant owns in the city of Providence the Rhode Island Auditorium, Inc. which it operates as a place for the public use and entertainment.

The plaintiff was a professional basketball player who toured the country as a…