Prior to the advent of limiting liability statutes, an ice storm occurred in a small town where the Miscadem Motel was located. Heavy ice formed on tree limbs, causing many to break from the weight. One heavily iced branch fell on a hotel window, causing it to break. Shattered glass caused injury to a guest's property inside. True or false: Under common law the hotel would have been liable for the loss.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Under common law, the hotel would not be liable for the loss because the damage was caused by an "act of God," which is a natural event outside human control and not due to negligence by the hotel.

Prior to the Advent of Limiting Liability Statutes, an Ice