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Negligence Case Study

Decent Essays

In the state of Minnesota it is a landlord’s duty “that the premises and all common areas are fit for the use intended by the parties.” Minn. Stat. 504B.161, subd. 1(1) (2015). Many negligence cases have interpreted this law in different ways that rely on the specific conditions during the time of the incident, and if the event was reasonably foreseeable and preventable. The foreseeability of an event can be determined within a reasonable amount of care for the premises. Frye v. Huntington Point Apartment Bldg., A05-2356, 2006 WL 1704234, 2 (Minn. Ct. App, 2006). Part of the reasonable care includes a duty to inspect, repair, and inform tenants of dangers. Id. In order to win, one must prove all four elements of a negligence claim: one, did the landlord have a duty to uphold; two, did the landlord violate that duty; three, was someone injured; four, did the violation of the duty cause the injury. Id. In regards to negligence claims that involve lighting, the key factor that needs to be proven is whether or not the plaintiff could reasonably see what they were doing. Namchek v. Tulley, 259 Minn. 469, 107 N.W.2d 856, 472 (1961). As well accumulations of water on stairways are dangerous and if resulting from landlord negligence are the basis for a claim. Frye v. Huntington Point Apartment Bldg., A05-2356, 2006 …show more content…

In Namchek the main question that arose during trial was whether or not the lighting allowed the tenant to adequately see what they were doing. Under the duty of reasonable care the landlord is required to inspect, repair, or at least provide a warning of possible dangers. Frye, A05-2356, 2006 WL 1704234 at 2. Namchek v. Tulley, 259 Minn. 469, 107 N.W.2d 856 at 472. As well, even if a landlord did not cause a dangerous situation, they are still liable they should of had “constructive knowledge” of the situation. Frye, A05-2356, 2006 WL 1704234 at

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