Adams v. Bullock

1919

Venue: NY Court of Appeals

Facts: A kid swinging a big wire zaps himself on Bullock's trolley wires while walking across a bridge under which the trolley runs.

Posture: Trial finding for plaintiff, affirmed at the appellate division.

Issue: Is this negligence?

Holding: No. Reversed.

Rule: To hold people strictly liable for facts beyond their control makes them into insurers.

Reasoning: The defendant's business was legal, and wasn't doing anything extra-risky. This kind of mishap is essentially unforeseeable.

Dicta: