Ernest W. Hahn v. Armco Steel Company

This is a case for damages resulting from a partial collapse of the roof of a shopping mall, which at the time of the collapse had only been in operation approximately three months. The matter was tried before a jury in the District Court of Salt Lake County, which returned a special verdict finding the Defendant Armco Steel Company liable to the plaintiff, a limited partnership, under strict liability in tort, breach of implied warranty and negligence. The jury found that the plaintiffs general partner, who was also the malls construction contractor, was contributorily negligent. The jury found damages in the sum of $857,940. The District Court entered a judgment on the special verdict in favor of the defendant and against the plaintiff, no cause of action. The court thereafter denied plaintiffs motion for entry of judgment on special verdict, or in the alternative for judgment n.o.v., or in the alternative for a new trial. Plaintiff appeals from the judgment entered below and from the order denying its motions.