FLETCHER V. RYLANDS case brief

FLETCHER V. RYLANDS

• Fletcher sues Rylands for damage to his mines

• No unreasonable conduct on Rylands’ part

• Rylands’ reservoir burst and water injured P’s mines

• Court holds Rylands strictly liable for the damage

• Court makes reference to cattle cases, where owners were held liable for damage that their cattle did in the absence of unreasonable conduct

• D Rylands’s reservoir was “not naturally there”