{
  "id": 2758167,
  "name": "Frederick Kohlhammer v. John Weisbach",
  "name_abbreviation": "Kohlhammer v. Weisbach",
  "decision_date": "1878-09",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "311",
  "last_page": "312",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "90 Ill. 311"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ill.",
    "id": 8772,
    "name": "Illinois Supreme Court"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 29,
    "name_long": "Illinois",
    "name": "Ill."
  },
  "cites_to": [],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 206,
    "char_count": 2923,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.538,
    "sha256": "620ecf357f1032f93fe71077e155a7bedebb6dceaddab6e8a950357a8316d741",
    "simhash": "1:2a1c75a9fc7e02a2",
    "word_count": 512
  },
  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:29:01.144424+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "Frederick Kohlhammer v. John Weisbach."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Per Curiam :\nThis was an action, brought to recover damages caused by water overflowing the basement of appellee\u2019s premises, in May and June, 1874,\u2014the flooding of the premises and consequent damage having been caused, as claimed by appellee, through the neglect of appellant, who owned the adjoining premises, to keep his sewer in good condition.\nIt is apparent, from the evidence, that the basement of the building occupied by appellee was overflowed with water, and that he was somewhat damaged in his property, but we are not satisfied, from the proof, that the damages arise from the fault or negligence of appellant, and if appellant was blamel\u00e9ss, then the judgment can not be sustained. It is true, appellee and one of his witnesses testified that appellant\u2019s sewer was out of order, but they had not examined the sewer before or after the injury, and could not testify with any degree of certainty upon the subject.\nThe appellant called one George as a witness, who testified, in substance, that he had been a sewer builder for fifteen years; that he put in the sewer for appellant; that he examined it immediately after appellee was damaged, and he found the sewer all right, the \u201ccatch-basin clear and the sewer clear.\u201d The only defect he found was, the pipe which conducted the Avater from the house to the sewer had been cut. This defect, hoAvever, can not be attributed to appellant, as appellee admits he cut the pipe at the time the water Avas running on his premises. The appellant testified that the sewer Avas built according to the city\u2019s direction, under the board of public works; that the sewer was never out of order; that the pipe which conducted the water from the roof of the house to the sewer had been twice cut or broken, and that as soon as he learned of the fact, he had it repaired. Under this evidence, and it does not seem to be disputed, Ave can not hold that the verdict was sustained by the proof.\nIf the seAver and catch-basin Avere properly constructed, so as to carry off the water, and were kept in repair by appellant, which the proofs seem to establish, we perceive no ground upon which he can be held liable for the damages appellee sustained.\nWe are of opinion the court erred in overruling a motion for a new trial, and upon this ground the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded.\nJudgment reversed.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Per Curiam :"
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Mr. Henry D. P. Hoiser, for the appellant.",
      "Mr. D. Harry Hammer, for the appellee."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "Frederick Kohlhammer v. John Weisbach.\nNegligence\u2014injury from sewer. Where a party\u2019s sewer and catch-basin have been properly constructed, so as to carry off the water, and have been kept in repair, he can not be held liable for the damages an adjacent owner of premises may sustain by water overflowing the basement of his building, and a judgment holding such party liable will be reversed.\nAppeal from the Superior Court of Cook county; the Hon. John A. Jameson, Judge, presiding.\nMr. Henry D. P. Hoiser, for the appellant.\nMr. D. Harry Hammer, for the appellee."
  },
  "file_name": "0311-01",
  "first_page_order": 311,
  "last_page_order": 312
}