227 Mass. 93 | Mass. | 1917
This is an action to recover for personal injuries caused by the falling of a piece of glass upon the plaintiff’s right foot. The accident occurred in the store of Henry Siegel Company in Boston, on June 20, 1913. • '
The defendant, on the date in question, had the privilege of selling candy in the store under a contract with the Henry Siegel Company, by the terms of which the latter furnished the showcase, counter and fixtures. These were located in the aisle of the store. The outer side of the show-case where customers stood was constructed of "pieces of heavy glass placed in and supported by brackets attached to” the show-case. The glass stood on edge.
While it is not clear from the agreement who was to make repairs, if needed, upon the show-case and counter, there was evidence tending to show that the parties thereto understood that the repairs were to be made by the Henry Siegel Company and that “anything in the line of repairs was all done through the office of the superintendent of the Henry Siegel Company.” We do not deem it decisive of the issue involved in the case at bar to determine upon whom rested the duty of making repairs. The contract above referred to gave to the defendant permission to carry on the business of selling candy at the Siegel store in accordance with its terms. The defendant in the conduct of his business could be found to have invited customers to purchase the wares which he had to sell, and it was the duty of the defendant to use reasonable care to protect such customers from harm. Accordingly if the bracket which held the glass in the show-case in position became defective or out of repair, and was liable to cause injury to persons rightfully on the premises, it was the duty of the defendant to repair it, or cause it to be repaired by the Henry Siegel Company, provided the defendant knew of its defective condition or might have known of it by the exercise of reasonable care.
The fact that the plaintiff was injured by reason of the glass falling upon her foot and that the fall was due to a defective condition of the bracket is not sufficient to entitle her to recover; she must go further and prove that her injuries were caused by some negligence on the part of the defendant. The record fails to show when the bracket had been forced from the position it originally was in; nor does it appear how long before the accident
While there was ample evidence that the plaintiff was in the exercise of due care, and no contention is made to the contrary, still the record fails to show, for the reasons stated, any negligence on the part of the defendant. The exceptions must be sustained and judgment should be entered for the defendant in accordance with St. 1909, c. 236.
So ordered.