Strong v. Haverhill Electric Co.

The defendant was found not liable for injury caused to the plaintiff when he tripped over a manhole cover maintained in a sidewalk by the defendant. The cover projected about half an inch above the level of the sidewalk. In the District Court the judge refused to rule, as requested in substance by the plaintiff, that the evidence warranted a finding in his favor. Such a request is proper. Without a response to it by the judge, neither the plaintiff nor an appellate court could discover whether a general finding for the defendant was based upon a failure to find the facts essential to…