Emge v. Hagosky

712 A.2d 315, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 685
CourtSuperior Court of Pennsylvania
DecidedApril 29, 1998
StatusPublished
Cited by37 cases

This text of 712 A.2d 315 (Emge v. Hagosky) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Superior Court of Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Emge v. Hagosky, 712 A.2d 315, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 685 (Pa. Ct. App. 1998).

Opinion

DEL SOLE, Judge:

This is an appeal from a judgment entered after the trial court granted a compulsory nonsuit at the close of Appellant’s case. The court ruled that Appellant was unable to prove that he was a business invitee on the premises where he was injured because there was no proof of an invitation, and even if there was an invitation, Appellant exceeded the scope of the invitation. Thus, the court concluded Appellant had the status of a mere trespasser and was unable to prove a prima facie case of negligence. We reverse.

Appellant brought an action seeking to recover damages for injuries he received as a result of a fall into an unguarded hole in the floor of a home under construction. The case proceeded to a jury trial where Appellant testified that he was employed by a roofing supply company as’ an outside sales representative at the time of the accident. Appellant began dealings with Appellee, Mr. Mutschler, a principal of Appellee; Skyler Builders, a few months before the accident when Mr. Mutschler inquired about the purchase of specialty shingles from Appellant’s employer. Appellant was assigned to the Mutschler account and delivered sample shingles to Mr. Mutschler’s office on two occasions. Thereafter, Mr. Mutschler purchased shingles from Appellant’s employer. A few days prior to the accident Appellant went to the construction site to facilitate delivery of the shingles. The shingles arrived on a boom truck and were lifted to the roof after Appellant spoke to the operator to ensure the entire order was delivered. He then went to Mr. Mutschler’s home, which was located directly behind the home under construction, to receive payment.

Mr. Mutschler contacted Appellant a few days later inquiring about the purchase of roofing vents. When Mr. Mutschler expressed concern over the travel distance to the roofing supply company, Appellant offered to deliver the vents to the construction site. Arrangements were made regarding payment and Appellant was again directed to pick up a check at Mr. Mutschler’s home, in the back of the home under construction. Appellant loaded the roof vents into his company ear and drove to the construction site where he saw two men working on the roof. Appellant announced himself and as a result of what these workers told him, 1 Appellant entered the front door of the house to place the roofing vents inside. Appellant testified that it was customary to place supplies inside the house being constructed because it was a secure spot and would protect against theft, damage or accidents. After entering the home Appellant took a few steps before he fell through an uncovered and unguarded hole in the floor.

Appellant also offered the testimony of an expert, a forensic engineer, who testified about safety regulation of residential construction sites. He opined that the defendants’ failure to guard the open hole created a dangerous condition and violated the requirements for construction safety as set forth in various codes and regulations.

*317 At the close of Appellant’s evidence Appel-lees moved for a compulsory nonsuit, which the court granted. Although the court ruled there was sufficient testimony to go to the jury on the question of negligence, it held the real issue was Appellant’s status as a business invitee or a trespasser. The court found that even if Appellant was able to prove he was a business invitee, he exceeded the scope of his invitation and became a trespasser when he entered the unfinished home. Appellant filed a motion to remove the compulsory nonsuit. When the court failed to act on the motion within 120 days Appellant filed a praecipe for entry of judgment. Pa.R.Civ.P. 227.4(l)(b). This timely appeal followed.

An order denying a motion to remove a compulsory nonsuit will be reversed on appeal only for an abuse of discretion or error of law. Kuriger v. Cramer, 345 Pa.Super. 595, 498 A.2d 1381 (1985). A trial court’s entry of compulsory nonsuit is proper where the plaintiff has not introduced sufficient evidence to establish the necessary elements to maintain a cause of action, and it is the duty of the trial court to make a determination prior to submission of the case to a jury. Poleri v. Salkind, 453 Pa.Super. 159, 683 A.2d 649 (1996). In making this determination the plaintiff must be given the benefit of every fact and all reasonable inferences arising from the evidence and all conflicts in evidence must be resolved in plaintiffs favor. American States Ins. Co. v. Maryland Cas. Co., 427 Pa.Super. 170, 628 A.2d 880 (1993).

The standard of care a possessor of land owes to one who enters upon the land depends upon whether the latter is a trespasser, licensee, or invitee. Jones v. Three Rivers Management Corp., 483. Pa. 75, 394 A.2d 546 (1978). If Appellant had the status of a trespasser at the time of his injury he could only recover if the defendants were guilty of willful or wanton misconduct. Dudley v. USX Corp., 414 Pa.Super. 160, 606 A.2d 916 (1992). Appellant alleged neither willful nor wanton misconduct in this case. Appellant sought to establish that he enjoyed the status of a business invitee.

A business invitee is a person who is invited to enter or remain on the land of another for a purpose directly or indirectly connected with business dealings with the possessor of the land. Palange v. Philadelphia Law Dept., 433 Pa.Super. 373, 640 A.2d 1305 (1994), citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 332 (1965). One who by local custom or a persistent course of conduct reasonably believes that their presence is desired or permitted for the purpose of doing business is also considered a business invitee. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 332 Comment c and e. Further one may enter the premises as a business visitor but may dining the stay become a trespasser if they enter upon a portion of the premises where their presence is not reasonably foreseen. Parsons v. Drake, 347 Pa. 247, 32 A.2d 27 (1943). However, where it is customary and usual for a business visitor to enter a different part of the premises to fulfill the business purpose, the visitor’s status will not change to that of a trespasser. Barron v. Hydrotated Anthracite Fuel Co., 159 Pa.Super. 35, 46 A.2d 506 (1946).

The duty owed to a business invitee is the highest duty owed to any entrant upon land. Crotty v. Reading Industries, 237 Pa.Super. 1, 345 A.2d 259 (1975). The landowner is under an affirmative duty to protect a business visitor not only against known dangers but also against those which might be discovered with reasonable care. Id.

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Bluebook (online)
712 A.2d 315, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 685, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/emge-v-hagosky-pasuperct-1998.