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Property Keyed to Rabin
Merrill v. Jansma
Facts
Merrill (Plaintiff) suffered injuries when she fell while ascending the front steps leading to the entrance of the mobile home that her daughter Sherri Pritchard rented from Jansma (Defendant). The steps became loose during Pritchard’s occupancy. Pritchard had previously attempted to secure the step but was unable to do so. She notified the property manager, who apparently was also unable to secure the step: Plaintiff fell as the steps separated from the porch when she stepped on them. Plaintiff filed a negligence claim on the grounds that Defendant knew or should have known the step was dangerous and failed to exercise reasonable care to eliminate the danger. Defendant moved for summary judgment, claiming she owed no legal duty to Plaintiff. The district court granted the motion. Plaintiff appealed.
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