Blood v. Allied Stores Corp.

Dawson, J. †

Mary Ann Blood, plaintiff, sued for damages resulting from personal injuries allegedly suffered when she, a business invitee, fell while riding on a descending escalator, operated by defendant between the first and basement floors of its Seattle Bon Marche store. She pleaded negligence on the part of defendant, which was denied. Defendant raised no affirmative defense. Plaintiff appealed from an adverse jury verdict.

An elderly woman was descending in front of appellant on the same escalator. She suddenly fainted, or blacked out momentarily, and fell at the foot of the escalator,…