Staunch v. Lazarus
Staunch v. Lazarus
Opinion of the Court
Mrs. Staunch was injured through the fall of the plaster from a ceiling in the apartment which she occupied in an apartment house, due to a leaky water pipe in the apartment above. The present action was brought against the landlord for the damages sustained by Mrs. Staunch and her husband. Judgments were rendered in their favor in the court below, and the defendant appeals.
Among the reasons urged for reversal is one that there was no proof of negligence, and we think this is so. The plaster fell from the ceiling, caused by the leaky pipe, as stated. The landlord having his attention drawn to the leak, undertook to repair the pipe and, so far as the proofs show, did it effectively. The next day the plaster fell, injuring the plaintiff. This, as the only inference, was due to the water which had already saturated the plaster. As to this water the owner had assumed no responsibility. It did not come from a part of the premises as to which he had retained control. There was no proof that the pipe leaked after the
Considering the burden on the plaintiff, this was wholly in sufficient to justify a conclusion that the pipe was carelessly repaired.
The judgment is reversed, with costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.