Section 16.9 Intentional Detonation of Explosives, Including Those by Governmental Entities

• Library: Tort Law 2016

1. (§16.9) Intentional Detonation of Explosives, Including Those by Governmental Entities

Liability is typically imposed on those that use explosives without regard to their negligence because detonating explosives has the potential to cause damage to others’ property. Defendants are usually liable for damages caused by their blasting under a theory of strict liability. See:

· Clay v. Mo. Highway & Transp. Comm’n, 951 S.W.2d 617 (Mo. App. W.D. 1997)

· Wiley v. Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co., 729 S.W.2d 228 (Mo. App. W.D. 1987)

· Donnell v. Vigus Quarries, Inc., 526 S.W.2d 314 (Mo. App. E.D. 1975)

· Richards v. C.B. Contracting Co., 395 S.W.2d 737 (Mo. App. S.D. 1965)

· Carson v. Blodgett Const. Co., 174 S.W. 447 (Mo. App. S.D. 1915)

· Summers v. Tavern Rock Sand Co., 315 S.W.2d 201 (Mo. 1958)

· Schaefer v. Frazier-Davis Const. Co., 125 S.W.2d 897 (Mo. App. E.D. 1939)

· Robert v. Peabody Coal Co., 513 S.W.2d 667 (Mo. App. W.D. 1974)

See also M.W. Worley Constr. Co. v. Hungerford, Inc., 210 S.E.2d 161 (Va. 1974) (because of uncontrollable factors like wind and terrain, blasting remains an unpredictable and...