Hannon v. Hayes-Bickford Lunch System, Inc.

This is an action of tort to recover for personal injuries alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the defendant “in inviting the plaintiff to use [a] stairway that was defective, dangerous and unsafe and in failing to warn invitees of the dangerous condition of said stairs.” 1 The answer contained a general denial and pleaded the de-fences of contributory negligence and assumption of risk (and another defence which need not be considered).

Following a verdict for the plaintiff, the trial judge, pursuant to leave reserved, entered a verdict for the defendant and reported the case to…