Careers

Experiences

Industries

Offices

Our Firm

Pages

Our People

Updates

Practices

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

The Michigan Supreme Court granted mini-oral argument in <a href="http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/SCT/PUBLIC/ORDERS/155413_35_01.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Blackwell v Franchi</em>, No. 328929</a>&nbsp;to consider whether a homeowner owes a duty to warn a guest of a step in a dark room.&nbsp; While attending a dinner party at the Franchis' home, Susan Blackwell went to put her purse in a darkened mud room and fell off an eight inch step upon entry.&nbsp; Before entering the room, Blackwell did not turn on the light.&nbsp; Blackwell filed suit against the Franchis, and the Franchis moved for summary disposition, alleging the step was open and obvious and that the light switch&nbsp;outside the mud room would have illuminated the hazard.&nbsp; The trial court granted the Franchis' motion, but the Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the open and obvious doctrine defense does not require guests to turn the lights on and improve visibility of an impending hazard.&nbsp;

contentpilot/introduction

To view our previous post on the Court of Appeals’ decision, <a href="http://www.wnj.com/Blogs/Appellate/February-2017/When-throwing-a-dinner-party-at-your-home-keep-al" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.

core/paragraph

Partner

Ashley G. Chrysler

Labor and Employment

MSC to consider whether its “lights out” on the open and obvious doctrine

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is responsible for the contents of our advertising and this website. Please read our full <a href="/privacy-policy/" aria-label="see privacy policy">privacy policy</a> available on our website. If you have any questions or comments about our website or our Privacy Policy please contact us at <a href="mailto:info@wnj.com">info@wnj.com</a> or 616.752.2000. 

MSC to consider whether its “lights out” on the open and obvious doctrine

professionals