Snyder v. Fort Kearney Hotel Co.

• Decision Date: 29 March 1968
• Docket Number: No. 36807,36807
• Citation: 157 N.W.2d 782,182 Neb. 859
• Parties: Clara SNYDER, Appellant, v. FORT KEARNEY HOTEL COMPANY, Inc., a Corporation, Appellee.
• Court: Nebraska Supreme Court

Page 782

157 N.W.2d 782

182 Neb. 859

Clara SNYDER, Appellant, v. FORT KEARNEY HOTEL COMPANY, Inc., a Corporation, Appellee.

No. 36807.

Supreme Court of Nebraska.

March 29, 1968.

Syllabus by the Court

1. An extrajudicial admission is not ordinarily final and conclusive upon the party by whom it is made.

2. A summary judgment may be entered when it appears there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.

3. It is true that the existence of a change in floor level in a business establishment and the fact that an invitee falls thereon is insufficient to establish negligence.

4. Such factors, when coupled with other conditions, may constitute negligence.

Mitchell, Taylor & Beatty, Kearney, for appellant.

Tye, Worlock, Tye & Jacobsen, Jeffrey L. Orr, Kearney, for appellee.

Heard before WHITE, C.J., and SPENCER, BOSLAUGH, McCOWN, and NEWTON, JJ.

NEWTON, Justice.

This action is based on personal injuries alleged to have been sustained as the result of a fall in defendant's hotel. Defendant's motion for summary judgment was sustained and plaintiff appeals.

Plaintiff's petition alleges she entered the hotel for the purpose of having lunch and while there, sought to enter the ladies restroom which was on the second floor. The restroom door open off a second-floor hallway; immediately behind the door was approximately a 6-inch step-up or change in floor level which plaintiff struck with her foot, causing her to fall and break her hip. In substance, the plaintiff's charges of negligence are that the change in floor level constituted a dangerous condition, inadequate illumination in the hallway, a glaring effect produced by the white tile floor in the restroom impairing vision, and lack of proper warning of the change in floor level.

For answer to the petition, defendant admitted ownership and operation of the hotel, and that plaintiff fell and was injured at the time and place alleged; generally denied all other allegations; and alleged that the hallway was well lighted, that the restroom door had a clearly visible sign on the outside, 'WOMEN STEP UP,' and on the inside, 'STEP DOWN PLEASE,' familiarity of plaintiff with the premises, clear visibility of the floor elevation, and contributory negligence.

In the absence of a reply, the allegations contained in the answer must be considered to be denied by plaintiff.

Pictures of the scene of the accident were received in evidence but there being insufficient foundation therefor cannot be considered at this time.

Evidence gleaned from plaintiff's deposition and affidavit reveals the facts hereinafter set out. She was 66 years of age, went to the hotel for the purpose alleged in her petition, fell at the restroom door due to stumbling on the step-up into the restroom, and was injured. The hallway was poorly illuminated, she failed to note whether or not there, was a sign on the door as on reaching it, she met other people in the hallway, stepped next to the wall adjacent to the door, opened it, and proceeded to enter. She failed to notice the change in floor elevation due to a glaring light inside reflecting off the white tile floor. It 'seemed real bright' after being in the dimly lit hallway and she did not look down on...