Goddard v. Boston & Maine R.R. Co. (1901) (Holmes C.J.)

Supreme Judicial Court of MA - 1901

Facts:

• P slipped on a banana peel lying on the platform at D's station.
• P was a passenger on a car that just arrived. There were many passengers on the platform.

Procedural History:

• Trial court directed verdict for D.
• MA Supreme Judicial Court affirmed.

Issues:

• Is a showing of a dangerous condition in an area of D's control sufficient to bring a claim in negligence against D?

Holding/Rule:

• A mere showing of a dangerous condition in an area of D's control is not sufficient to bring a claim in negligence against D.

Reasoning:

• The banana peel could have been dropped within a minute by any of the people who were leaving the train.
• D would, thus, not be liable in such a case. Since there is no further evidence, D must prevail.

Dissent:

• None.

Notes:

• None.