Votsis v. Ward's Coffee Shop, Inc.

In this negligence case, we consider the liability of occupiers of private property, abutting a public sidewalk, for injuries sustained by a pedestrian who fell on that portion of the sidewalk which was used as a driveway from a public street into the property, a parking lot.

Appellant Katherine K. Votsis, the plaintiff below, sued the City of Norfolk and appellees Ward’s Coffee Shop, Incorporated and Bud’s Super Market, Inc. for damages allegedly sustained in February of 1974 in that city. Plaintiff alleged in her amended motion for judgment, as to Ward’s and Bud’s (hereinafter referred to as…