St. Luke's Hospital v. Melin

This action was brought by the plaintiff (appellee) to recover damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by the negligence of the defendant (appellant). Juris diction was based on diversity of citizenship. The plaintiff’s claim was that, while he was in defendant’s hospital at Duluth, Minnesota, a porcelain faucet handle, in the bathroom which he used, broke in his hand, inflicting serious cuts; that the handle was defective and cracked; and that the defendant had actual or constructive knowledge of its defective condition. The defendant denied liability. The case was tried to a jury. A…