§ 11-477 — Liability for neglect or misfeasance

If an instrument, proved or acknowledged according to law, or a paper or notice which may by law be recorded, is delivered to the recorder for record, and he neglects or refuses to perform the duties required of him by law relating to recording or filing instruments and papers, or if he neglects or refuses to make the searches and to give the certificate as required by this article, or if such searches or certificate are incomplete and defective in any important particular, or if he alters, changes or obliterates any record deposited in his office, or inserts any new matter therein, he is liable to the party aggrieved for three times the amount of the damages which may be occasioned by the neglect or refusal, or by the incompleteness or defect in the searches and certificate.