Rocky Mount Shopping Center Associates v. Steagall

In this case, we decide whether a customer was guilty of contributory negligence as a matter of law in failing to look before stepping into an open and obvious depression surrounding a water meter cover on the premises of a shopping center.

Lena S. Steagall was injured when she fell on the premises owned by Rocky Mount Shopping Center Associates (the owner). She recovered a verdict for those injuries and a judgment upon the verdict against the owner, and it has appealed. In accordance with well-settled appellate principles, we state the facts in the light most favorable to Steagall.

On a clear…