New York Court of Appeals

Mary Timlin, as Administratrix v. the Standard Oil Company, Appellants

June 2, 1891126 N.Y. 514

Summary

The Court held that the corporate defendants, Acme Oil Company and Standard Oil Company, were liable for the dangerous wall because they knew or should have known of the nuisance before subletting, and affirmed that liability. It reversed the judgment against the individual tenants, Murphey & Liscomb, finding they were not liable absent actual negligence and ordered a new trial. The decision clarifies the duties of owners and subletting tenants regarding known dangerous conditions.