Southeast Apartments Management, Inc. v. Jackman

In this tort action, we consider whether the trial court erred in ruling that a jury question was presented on a tenant’s claims that an owner of leased premises breached either its duty to exercise reasonable care in the hiring of its employee, the tortfeasor, or its duty to exercise reasonable care in the retention of the employee.

On July 27, 1996, appellee Kimberly M. Jackman was a tenant in the Kings Arms Apartments in Virginia Beach, owned by appellant Southeast Mortgage and Investment Corporation and managed by appellant Southeast Apartments Management, Inc. (collectively, the owner).…