Travis O'Neal James v. Otis Elevator Company

TJOFLAT, Circuit Judge:

This diversity suit arises out of an accident in the work place, the Bibb Company textile mill in Columbus, Georgia. Travis O’Neal James, a Bibb employee, was injured when he stepped backward into an open elevator shaft and fell two stories. James thought he was stepping onto the elevator platform, but unbeknownst to him the elevator had moved to the floor above. In this case, James seeks to recover money damages for his injuries from Otis Elevator Company (Otis) on the theory that Otis negligently maintained the elevator and that such negligence caused his injuries.…