Rylands v. Fletcher

Fletcher (plaintiff) operated underground coal mines on land next to property where Rylands (defendant) built a reservoir to supply water to his mill, hiring engineers and contractors who discovered, unbeknownst to Rylands, that the reservoir sat atop abandoned coal mines. After completion, the reservoir broke and flooded Fletcher's mines, damaging his property. Fletcher sued Rylands; the Court of Exchequer held Rylands not liable, but the Court of Exchequer Chamber reversed and held Rylands strictly liable for the flood damage, and Rylands appealed to the House of Lords.