Responsibility of the Public Administration: Analysis of the Judgment Cass. civ., Section III, Ord. n. 11096 of 2020

The judgment n. 11096 of 2020 of the Court of Cassation offers important insights for understanding the responsibility of the Public Administration (P.A.) in the event of road accidents caused by anomalies in the road surface. The case in question involves G. N. and G. P., who sought compensation for damages suffered due to a fall caused by a pothole in the road. The Court, accepting the appeal of the injured parties, clarified some fundamental principles related to civil liability and custodial duties.

The context of the judgment

The Court of Perugia had initially rejected the claim for compensation, arguing that the damage was not attributable to an inherent danger of the road. However, the Court of Cassation highlighted that, according to Article 2051 of the Civil Code, liability for damages arising from things in custody is presumed, unless the custodian proves that they have taken all necessary measures to prevent the damage.

  • The P.A. has the obligation to maintain and control the roads, as established by Article 14 of the Highway Code.
  • In the event of an accident, it is up to the P.A. to demonstrate that it has fulfilled these obligations diligently.
  • The injured party must prove the causal link between the damage suffered and the thing in custody, but not the existence of a hidden danger.
The responsibility of the P.A. is aggravated as it must prove that it has taken all suitable measures to prevent dangerous situations.

The legal principles applied

The Court confirmed that, in the presence of a fall caused by a road anomaly, the custodian must demonstrate that they have carried out the necessary checks and maintenance. If they fail to provide proof of such diligence, the liability for damages lies with the P.A. This principle, consolidated by case law, is based on the idea of protecting citizens from dangerous situations arising from poor road maintenance.

In summary, the Court ordered a referral to the Court of Perugia for a new examination, emphasizing the importance of the correct application of civil liability principles in custodial matters.

Conclusions

The judgment n. 11096 of 2020 is an important confirmation of the responsibility of the P.A. for damages caused by poorly maintained roads. It highlights the need for adequate maintenance of public infrastructure and the duty of the P.A. to ensure the safety of users. Case law continues to evolve, and this judgment represents a significant step for the protection of citizens' rights in the context of civil liability.

Bianucci Law Firm