Crawford v. Buckner
Tennessee Supreme Court
839 S.W.2d 754 (1992)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
Linda Crawford (plaintiff) rented an apartment from Tobe McKenzie (defendant). The lease contained an exculpatory clause, shielding McKenzie from liability for any injury to Crawford’s person or property. A fire started in the apartment of Crawford’s neighbors, Debra and Larry Buckner (defendants). In order to escape the fire, Crawford was forced to jump out her second-story window. Crawford was injured when she landed, in part due to debris that was on the ground behind the apartment building. Crawford sued the Buckners, as well as suing McKenzie for negligent maintenance of the building’s fire alarm and the premises containing the debris. The trial court granted summary judgment to McKenzie based on the exculpatory clause in the lease. The court of appeals affirmed. Crawford appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Anderson, J.)
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