Dexheimer v. CDS, Inc.
Washington Court of Appeals
17 P.3d 641, 104 Wash. App. 464 (2001)
- Written by Darius Dehghan, JD
Facts
In order for a tenant in Washington to prevail on a negligence claim against a landlord, the tenant was required to show that the landlord violated the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). Ralph Guthrie (defendant) owned a duplex in Washington. Guthrie leased the duplex to Chris and Melissa Dexheimer (plaintiffs). The duplex’s garage door came out of its right-side track as Chris attempted to open it. The door struck Chris, resulting in serious injuries. Subsequently, the Dexheimers brought suit, alleging that Guthrie was negligent in failing to maintain the garage door. The trial court provided instructions to the jury allowing the jury to find Guthrie negligent if it found that he violated the RLTA. The instructions also allowed the jury to award monetary damages to the Dexheimers if it found that Guthrie violated the RLTA. The jury determined that Guthrie violated the RLTA and thus found him negligent. Further, the jury awarded the Dexheimers monetary damages. Guthrie appealed, contending that the trial court’s jury instructions were erroneous.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Sweeney, J.)
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