Civil Liability and Custody of Things: Analysis of Judgment No. 33074/2023

The Court of Cassation, with ordinance No. 33074 dated November 28, 2023, addressed a sensitive issue regarding civil liability in cases of injuries caused by suboptimal road conditions, particularly on cobblestone pavements. The ruling emphasizes the importance of analyzing the causal link between the thing in custody and the damage suffered by the injured party, highlighting the responsibilities of all parties involved.

The Case Under Review

The appellant, A.A., had requested compensation for injuries suffered due to a fall on a cobblestone street, attributing responsibility to the City of Rome and the company responsible for maintenance. However, both the Justice of the Peace and the Court of Rome had dismissed the claim, considering that there was neither a hidden danger nor a custody defect. The Court of Cassation upheld this decision, thoroughly analyzing the grounds for the appeal.

Analysis of the Grounds for the Appeal

The liability under Article 2051 of the Italian Civil Code is objective in nature and can be excluded by proof of fortuitous event or by demonstrating the causal relevance of the injured party's conduct.

The appellant articulated four grounds, which the Court examined carefully:

  • The first ground concerned the interruption of the causal link between the thing in custody and the accident, but the Court reiterated that an abnormality in the victim's conduct is not necessary to deny the causal link.
  • The second ground complained of the lack of consideration of the custody obligations by the owning entity; however, the Court found that such obligations had been analyzed in relation to the peculiarities of the pavement.
  • The third ground addressed the absence of filling material between the cobblestones, but the Court deemed that the issue had been adequately addressed by the appellate ruling.
  • Finally, the fourth ground contested the absence of hidden danger in the pavement, but the Court excluded that cobblestones, by themselves, constitute a dangerous condition.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 33074/2023 of the Court of Cassation provides important insights into civil liability in cases of damage caused by road conditions. It clarifies that, to establish a compensation obligation, a careful assessment of the causal link and the conduct of each party involved is necessary. Furthermore, the Court reiterates that the custodian's liability cannot be automatically assumed but must be evaluated in light of the specific circumstances of the case. This ordinance serves as a useful reference for lawyers and legal professionals, highlighting the complexity of liability dynamics in civil matters.

Bianucci Law Firm