Kneece v. City of Columbia

123 S.E. 100, 128 S.E. 100, 128 S.C. 375, 1924 S.C. LEXIS 232

• Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
• Decided: May 13, 1924
• Docket: 11508
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Justice Cothran.

Action for damages on account of the alleged negligent installation and management of an incinerator, whereby the plaintiff’s property had been damaged by reason of the noxious and disagreeable odors consequent upon its operation. From a judgment of $450 in favor of the plaintiff, the defendant has appealed.

The appellant relies upon the following propositions for a reversal of the judgment: (1) That the cause of action stated in the complaint is not maintainable against a municipal corporation, in the absence of a statute authorizing it.

(2) That assuming that the delict complained of constituted a public nuisance, the evidence fails tO' show that the plaintiff has suffered any damages differing in kind from what the general public has suffered.

As to the first proposition: Opposed to the opinion of the writer, the Court has decided to the contrary, in the case of Faust v. Richland County, 117 S. C., 251; 109 S. E., 151, followed by the case of Derrick v. Columbia, 122 S. C., 29; 114 S. E., 857.

As to the second proposition: It is held in the case of Belton v. Wateree Power Co., 123 S. C., 291; 115 S. E., 587, that although the plaintiff may not have suffered damage different in kind as well as in degree, he has a cause of action based upon negligent operation, which the complaint alleges in this case.

The judgment must therefore be affirmed, and it is so ordered.

Messrs. Justice Watts, Fraser and Marion concur. Mr. ChiEE Justice Gary did not participate.