Pippin v. Ranch House South, Inc.

DUFFY, Justice:

In this “slip and fall” case, a Superior Court jury returned a verdict for defendant. Plaintiff appeals, arguing that she was unfairly prejudiced by the admission of evidence as to the absence of other accidents or injuries on the same premises, and that the prejudice was compounded by an incorrect jury instruction. We conclude that there is merit to the appeal and that the judgment must be reversed.

i.

On the day of the fall plaintiff, age 80, lunched with two friends at the Ranch House, a restaurant operated by defendant and located on Concord Pike. After lunch they left the…