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4 Daly 163

Scullin v. Dolan

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided November 15, 1871

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1871-11-15

Exceptions to a judge’s charge to the jury ordered to be heard at general term. Action for defendant’s negligence, whereby a piece of the coping of the chimney on defendant’s house fell and injured plaintiff, who was passing by on the sidewalk. On the trial it appeared, by undisputed evidence, that the injury occurred in the following manner : Several of the occupants of defendant’s tenement house, in Mulberry street, were on the roof engaged in beating a carpet.

Decided 1871-11-15

By the Court.*—Labremore, J.

¶1—The evidence in this ease fails to establish any liability on the part of the defendant, - and would have justified a peremptory instruction to that effect by the court below. There can be no doubt that the owner is responsible for his negligence either in constructing or upholding the freehold (Eakin v. Brown, 1 E. D. Smith, 36), but for the negligent use of it by others, he cannot be made liable. He has met the requirements of the law when each and *165every part of the building is properly and securely adapted to its particular use.

¶2It is not shown that the chimney in question was unfit for the purpose for which it was intended, and the improper and unauthorized use of it for any other purpose, whereby a third party was injured, cannot create a liability on the part of the owner.

¶3I think the exceptions upon this point were well taken, and that the defendant should have judgment in his favor.

¶4Judgment for defendant.

¶5 Present, Daly, Ch. J., Robinson and Labbemobe, JJ.

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