Pike v. Gagne

The plaintiff was employed by the defendant as a farm-hand in 1938. His duties included helping to hay and to stow the hay in the barn. While so employed, the plaintiff preceded a load of hay into the barn and climbed a ladder with the purpose of getting onto the mow.

It could be found that the ladder had been set there for such use under the direction of the defendant, that it was placed perfectly upright, and that the plaintiff had held it while a fellow-servant tied it for security to a post, the rope being applied at a point some distance below the top of the ladder.

When the plaintiff…