Neighboring Property Owner Liability for Retaining Wall Damage Due to Excavation

A property owner sued a neighboring property owner, alleging that work performed on the neighbor's land, including the creation of an excavation that was improperly secured and backfilled, caused damage to the retaining wall supporting the plaintiff's property. The appellate court upheld the trial court's finding that the defendant was liable for the damage because the construction work, specifically the excavation and subsequent inadequate backfilling, constituted a fault under civil law, establishing a direct causal link between the neighbor's actions and the resulting harm to the retaining wall, thereby requiring the neighbor to compensate the plaintiff for the necessary repairs.