True v. Greenwood Manor West, Inc.

In March 1998, plaintiff, Vivian Opal True, sued defendant, Greenwood Manor West, Inc. (Greenwood), seeking damages for injuries she suffered when she tripped over a fan located inside her sister’s room at a nursing home operated by Greenwood. Following a December 1999 jury verdict in True’s favor, Greenwood filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (judgment n.o.v.), alleging that Greenwood did not owe a duty to True. In February 2000, the trial court conducted a hearing on Greenwood’s motion and denied it. Greenwood appeals, and we reverse.

I. BACKGROUND

In her complaint, True…