RUINOUS BUILDINGS AND TREES IN DANGER OF FALLING

Category: Property, Ownership and Its Modifications

 
Art. 482. If a building, wall, column, or any other construction is in danger  of  falling,  the  owner  shall  be  obliged  to  demolish  it  or  to execute the necessary work in order to prevent it from falling.
 
If   the   proprietor   does   not   comply   with   this   obligation,   the administrative   authorities   may   order   the   demolition   of   the structure at the expense of the owner, or take measures to insure public safety. (389a)
 
Art. 483. Whenever a large tree threatens to fall in such a way as to cause  damage  to  the  land  or  tenement  of  another  or  to  travelers over a public or private road, the owner of the tree shall be obliged to fell and remove it; and should he not do so, it shall be done at his expense by order of the administrative authorities. (390a)
 
Art.  1723.  The  engineer  or  architect  who  drew  up  the  plans  and specifications  for  a  building  is  liable  for  damages  if  within  fifteen years  from  the  completion  of  the  structure,  the  same  should collapse by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications, or due  to  the  defects  in  the  ground.  The  contractor  is  likewise responsible  for  the  damages  if  the  edifice  falls,  within  the  same period,  on  account  of  defects  in  the  construction  or  the  use  of materials  of  inferior  quality  furnished  by  him,  or  due  to  any violation of the terms of the  contract. If  the engineer or architect supervises  the  construction,  he  shall  be  solidarily  liable  with  the contractor.
 
Acceptance of the building, after completion, does not imply waiver of any of the cause of action by reason of any defect mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

 
The action must be brought within ten years following the collapse of the building. (n)
 

ENUMERATION OF LIABILITIES

1.    Engineer or architect
a.    Liable  for  damages  if  within  a  PERIOD  OF  15  YEARS FROM  THE  COMPLETION  OF  THE  STRUCTURE,  the  same should collapse by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications or due to the defects of the ground
b.    Shall be solidarily liable for defects that may arise during construction if they supervised the same

2.    Contractor
a.    Shall be liable for the same period on account of defects in  the  construction  or  the  use  of  materials  of  inferior
quality furnished by him, or due to violations of the terms of the contract
 
NOTES:
     Acceptance  of  the  building  doesn't  constitute  a  waiver  of  any cause  of  action  by  reason  of  any  defect  mentioned  in  the preceding paragraph
     Action must be brought  within 10 years following the collapse of the building