Katie R. Campbell, Wife Of/ and Willie Campbell, and International Insurance Company, Intervenor-Appellee v. Otis Elevator Company

EDITH H. JONES, Circuit Judge:

In this diversity case, the plaintiffs, Katie R. Campbell joined by her husband, Willie Campbell, were awarded damages from Otis Elevator Co. (“Otis”) for the injuries Mrs. Campbell sustained when she attempted to board an elevator. Responding to Otis's points on appeal, we find error in the trial court's charge and therefore reverse and remand for a new trial.

I. FACTS

In 1927, Otis installed a manually operated service elevator in the rear of the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. Fifty-four years later, in October, 1981, Otis contracted with the hotel to…