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10 Ind. 181

Ball v. Armstrong

Indiana Supreme Court

Decided May 27, 1858

Indiana Supreme Court · decided 1858-05-27

<p>If a person in building obstruct a gutter with building-materials, and thereby cause water to flow into the cellar of another, he is liable in damages. '</p>

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently October 1870

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1858-05-27

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Per Curiam.

¶1Ball erected a building in Lafayette. During the progress of its erection he occupied the street in front of the building with building-materials. He also obstructed the gutter with those materials. While the gutter was thus obstructed there came heavy rains — freshets, and the water, instead of passing off in the gutter, was backed upon the lot, and flowed over into Armstrong’s cellar, on the ádjoing lot, causing injury thereto, and to the articles stored therein. Armstrong sued for damages and recovered 40 dollars.

¶2Several objections are raised, of an unimportant character.

¶3The merits of the case are in a nut-shell, as appears by the evidence. Ball had no right to obstruct the gutter. He did obstruct the gutter. That obstruction caused the water to flow into Armstrong’s cellar-. The overflow damaged him. Ball was liable for that damage.

¶4The amount awarded is not excessive.

¶5The judgment is affirmed with 5 per cent, damages and costs.

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