Johns Hopkins Hospital v. Correia

We granted the petition for a writ of certiorari in this tort action in order to review the standard set forth in numerous Maryland cases that owners or operators of elevators owe their passengers the highest degree of care and diligence practicable under the circumstances to guard against injury.

I

On August 30, 2000, respondent Jane Correia was a passenger in one of the elevators located in Johns Hopkins Hospital when a mechanical defect caused the elevator to come to a jarring halt. Mrs. Correia immediately complained of back pain and was taken to the hospital’s emergency room. She…