Building Owner Liability for Retaining Wall Collapse Despite Predecessor Fault

A building owner appealed a decision that held them liable for damages caused by the collapse of an adjoining retaining wall, arguing the wall's poor condition was due to work performed by a third party over thirty years prior, which they claimed broke the chain of causation. The court rejected the appeal, reasoning that the owner of a structure is legally responsible for damages caused by its collapse, even if caused by the fault of a prior owner or third party, because the owner has an absolute duty to ensure the security and stability of their property, and the owner's duty to maintain the structure supersedes any claim based on the fault of a predecessor.