McCombs v. Dexter

This litigation had its origin in an accident occurring on February 9, 1980, when Cynthia McCombs fell on some stairs on the premises of a tavern operated by Lyle and Lois Dexter and known as Dexter’s Den. McCombs, who was a guest at a private wedding anniversary party in the basement area of the tavern, had gone upstairs to the restroom and was returning when she fell near the bottom of the stairs and injured one foot.

McCombs filed a complaint for personal injuries and named as defendants Lyle and Lois Dexter, the tenants of the premises, and Victoria Patterson, the owner and landlord. The…