Lang v. Henderson

Petitioner, tenant, sued respondent, landlord for damages on account of injuries suffered by petitioner’s wife and loss of personal property as the result of a fire in the rented premises, a small apartment in the City of Dallas. The fire was caused by a defective gas water heater. After petitioner introduced his evidence and rested the district court granted respondent’s motion for an instructed verdict. The Court of Civil Appeals affirmed the trial court’s judgment, holding that petitioner was guilty of contributory negligence as a matter of law. Associate Justice Looney, dissenting,…