28 Ind. App. 542 | Ind. Ct. App. | 1902
Appellee rented a house and lot from the appellant; she paid one month’s rent and took possession; before the expiration of the month she discovered that the privy vault was directly connected with the family cistern; she requested appellant to clean the vault and cistern which he did; the persons doing the work “fractured” a board in, the woodhouse floor over which appellee and her family had frequent occasion to pass, thereby rendering the place dangerous and unsafe. One of the workmen proposed to replace the board with a new one, but appellant told him to-
The relative duty of landlord and tenant with regard to-making repairs upon the leased premises is not involved herein. The appellant entered upon the premises and whether he cordd have been compelled to do so or not is immaterial. He did enter and while there prepared a pitfall by reason of which appellee’s limb was broken. He had a license t-o be upon the premises; his presence was for a laudable purpose, namely, the removal of a nuisance. He had no license to do the thing on account of which appelleereceived her injuries, and in that regard stands exactly as any other wrongdoer. Whether he hired men to remove-the nuisance and paid them by the day or by the job is unimportant. The thing on account of which he becomes liable was an affirmative and wrongful act of his own. The workman breaking the board may have done so unavoidably; he at least was proceeding to replace it. Appellant adopted the act as his own and refused to permit the repair. He-took no steps to prevent injury, and thereby became responsible for the condition. Because of his negligent acts and omissions the woman was severely injured. According to the elemental principles of law he is liable for the resulting-damages.
Judgment affirmed.