Allenby v. M. & C. Enterprises, Inc.
This text of 322 N.E.2d 422 (Allenby v. M. & C. Enterprises, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts Appeals Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
Opinion
In this action of tort for negligence, the defendant excepted to the denial of its motion for a finding in its favor. The plaintiff, a customer in the defendant’s bar, was injured when struck by another customer. It was the duty of the defendant to exercise reasonable care to prevent injury to the plaintiff by the acts of third persons whether accidental, negligent or intentional. Carey v. New Yorker of Worcester, Inc. 355 Mass. 450, 452 (1969). Sweenor v. 162 State St. Inc. 361 Mass. 524, 526 (1972). There was evidence from which the judge could have found a breach of that duty. The defendant’s bartender should have reasonably anticipated the likelihood of injury to the plaintiff from the observable behavior of his assailant prior to the striking and taken appropriate steps to forestall that occurrence. McFadden v. Bancroft Hotel Corp. 313 Mass. 56, 60 (1943). Greco v. Sumner Tavern Inc. 333 Mass. 144, 145 (1955). Quigley v. Wilson Line of Mass. Inc. 338 Mass. 125, 128, 129 (1958). Wood v. Ray-Al Cafe, Inc. 349 Mass. 766 (1965). Sweenor v. 162 State St. Inc., supra.
Exceptions overruled.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
322 N.E.2d 422, 3 Mass. App. Ct. 700, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/allenby-v-m-c-enterprises-inc-massappct-1975.