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Rose v. Socony-Vacuum Corp.

Rhode Island Supreme Court

54 R.I. 411, 173 A. 627 (1934)

Facts

Manuel Rose (plaintiff) owned a farm in East Providence, where he raised pigs and chickens. Neighboring Rose’s farm, Socony-Vacuum Corp. (Socony) (defendant) owned a tract of land on which it had constructed an oil refinery and stored petroleum, gasoline, and other petroleum products. Occasionally, Socony would discharge large quantities of the petroleum, gasoline, and petroleum products on its land and into basins, bodies of water, and natural ponds. The products that Socony discharged escaped its land and, through percolation, polluted the waters on Rose’s property. Rose’s well and stream became polluted, especially by gasoline. Rose used the water and stream to provide drinking water for his livestock. As a result of the pollution, hundreds of Rose’s animals died. Rose brought suit in superior court against Socony and alleged that he suffered damages caused by nuisance as a result of Socony’s actions. The superior court found in favor of Socony, and Rose appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Murdock, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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