Gish v. Walker

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Gish v. Walker, 48 App. D.C. 42 (D.C. Cir. 1918)
1918 U.S. App. LEXIS 2350
Orsdel

Gish v. Walker

Opinion of the Court

Mr. Justice Van Orsdel

delivered the opinion of the Court:

It is conceded that plaintiff’s wall was constructed in all respects as required for a party wall of a two-story dwelling. It is also conceded that defendant, under the building regulations, but for plaintiff’s wall, would have been required to-construct a 13-inch wall for his three-story dwelling. It therefore appears that, by the presence of plaintiff’s wall, defendant was only required to construct a 9-inch wall to the height of plaintiff’s wall.

Undoubtedly, defendant could construct a wall independent *44of the party wall, and be relieved from liability to plaintiff. But is that what defendant did? There is testimony that he attached to the party wall in front; that he used the chimney in the party wall, extending it to sufficient height to accommodate his building, and that he rested 4 inches of the 13-inch portion of his wall on top of the party wall. If these facts be true, we think he so used the party wall as to entitle plaintiff to recover. On -these points there is some conflict in the evidence, but this was for the jury to reconcile. It therefore was error to direct a verdict.

The judgment is reversed, with costs, and the cause is remanded for a new trial. Reversed and remanded.

A motion for rehearing was denied May 25, 1918.

A motion for a writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States was denied May 25, 1918.

Reference

Full Case Name
GISH v. WALKER
Status
Published
Syllabus
Party Wall; Use or; Compensation. There is such use of a party wall p inches thick which was made for a two-story residence as to require compensation therefor to the party who built it by the adjoining owner, when he subsequently erects a three-story building for which he carries up an independent 9-inch wall to the .top of the party wall and .above that a 13-inch wall extending 4 inches over the party wall, and uses the chimney in the party wall, carrying it up to accommodate his building, and connects with the party wall on the front so as to make a continuous wall across the front of both buildings, and where, except for the use made of th.e party wall, he would have been obliged by the building regulations to construct a I3-ineli wall for his three-story building.