Decker v. Polk Brothers

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE LORENZ

delivered the opinion of the court:

Plaintiff brought suit against defendant for injuries she sustained in a fall on a public sidewalk abutting defendants property. Following a jury verdict in favor of plaintiff, the trial court entered a judgment n.o.v. because plaintiff failed to show that defendant either owned or controlled the sidewalk. On appeal, plaintiff contends that defendant’s duty of care extends to the public sidewalk.

Defendant operates two stores on North Central Avenue in Chicago; one on the northwest corner of George Street and Central Avenue (2850…