Stoltz v. Forsyth County Hospital Authority, Inc.

MARTIN (Robert M.), Judge. The sole question presented by this appeal is whether summary judgment was properly allowed in favor of the defendant. We find that it was. Summary judgment is properly rendered if “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that any party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56(c). Defendant, as the moving party in this case, had the burden of establishing that no genuine issue as to any material fact exists. Savings & Loan Assoc. v. Trust Co., 282 N.C. 44, 191 S.E. 2d 683 (1972). “It is not the purpose of the rule to resolve disputed material issues of fact but rather to determine if such issues exist.” G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56, Comment. There is no controversy here as to the facts; in dispute is the legal significance of those facts. Therefore this is an appropriate case for summary adjudication. Blades v. City of Raleigh, 280 N.C. 531, 187 S.E. 2d 35 (1972). Appellant has aptly pointed out in his brief that issues of negligence are not ordinarly disposed of by summary judgment. Page v. Sloan, 281 N.C. 697, 190 S.E. 2d 189 (1972). However, on the record before us no issue of negligence appears. Plaintiff was an invitee on the defendant’s premises, and as such the defendant was not an insurer of his safety. The standard of care applicable to the defendant is the duty to exercise ordinary care to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition and to give warning of hidden perils or unsafe conditions insofar as can be ascertained by reasonable inspection and supervision. Watkins v. Furnishing Co., 224 N.C. 674, 31 S.E. 2d 917 (1944). Absent a negligent breach of this duty by the defendant, there can be no liability. Cupita v. Country Club, Inc., 252 N.C. 346, 113 S.E. 2d 712 (1960). Plaintiff has shown only that he has suffered an injury. No presumption or inference of negligence arises upon proof of an injury only. Reese v. Piedmont, Inc., 240 N.C. 391, 82 S.E. 2d 365 [105] (1965); Strong’s N.C. Index 3rd, Negligence § 53.4. It is not contested that the plaintiff, through no fault of the defendant, stumbled and fell through the plate glass panel in the foyer of the walk-in entrance to the defendant’s emergency room. It is not contested that the window panel had a push bar across it, and was constructed in accordance with all applicable building codes. The only negligence of the defendant alleged by plaintiff is that plate glass, rather than some safety glass material, was used in the window panel. He argues that the defendant, operating a hospital, should reasonably foresee that sick persons could become unsteady on their feet and fall against the window panel, causing it to break and receiving injury. In support of his contentions, plaintiff cites a number of cases from various jurisdictions. Without enumerating them here, we find them distinguishable on their facts and inapplicable to the instant case. The glass panel in question was not a doorway of deceptive appearance, nor was it an unmarked and invisible divider between another area of the building and an exit. It was adjacent to a set of manifestly apparent doors at the outside entrance of the foyer. Nothing in the design or construction of the panel led plaintiff to come in contact with it. Plaintiff has failed to prove any facts which will support any inference of negligence on the part of the defendant. Therefore summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56 was properly ordered for the defendant, and the order of the trial court is affirmed. Affirmed. Judges Vaughn and Mitchell concur.