Retaining Wall Collapse Liability on Current Property Owner

A property owner appealed a decision that held them liable for damages caused by the collapse of a retaining wall bordering their neighbor's property, arguing the wall's decay predated their ownership and that the neighbor should have been aware of the risk. The court rejected the appeal, affirming that the owner of a structure is legally responsible for damages it causes to neighboring properties under their custody, regardless of when the defect originated, as the obligation to maintain the structure to prevent harm is continuous and absolute.