The Kelderluik Ruling
The Kelderluik ruling is a crucial Supreme Court decision from 1968 that establishes liability for defective buildings, highly relevant for residents of Zoetermeer. Imagine: a pedestrian in downtown Zoetermeer trips over an open cellar hatch and sustains injuries. The ruling holds the owner liable under strict liability, without requiring proof of fault. This forms the cornerstone for personal injury claims arising from trips or falls in Zoetermeer, and is essential for victims seeking compensation at the District Court of Zoetermeer.
What is the Kelderluik Ruling?
The Kelderluik ruling, formally the Supreme Court judgment of 5 November 1968 (NJ 1969/10), concerned an accident in Amsterdam where a 14-year-old boy fell through an open cellar hatch. The shopkeeper had opened the hatch for deliveries without barriers or warnings, resulting in a broken leg. The Supreme Court held the owner liable due to a defect in the building setup that created an abnormal risk for passersby – a principle that fits perfectly with situations in Zoetermeer, such as at shops in the Stadshart.
This ruling established strict liability for defective building structures. Instead of investigating fault (as in tort claims), it focuses on the objective danger posed by the defect. Victims in Zoetermeer can thus more easily claim compensation for accidents involving slips or falls, linked to topics like slipping and falling on local sidewalks or stairs.
Essence: a building or part thereof is defective if it lacks expected qualities, leading to injury. This covers not only hatches but also stairs, railings, or sidewalks in Zoetermeer.
Legal Basis
The Kelderluik ruling is codified in the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), Book 6, Title 3, Section 5, particularly Article 6:174 DCC: "The possessor of a building or structure is liable for damage to third parties caused by a defect therein." This stems directly from the ruling and constitutes strict liability: no negligence required, the defect suffices.
Article 6:175 DCC defines a defect as a deviation from reasonable expectations, suited to its purpose. Think of open hatches without signage, slippery floors, or loose railings. The possessor (owner or tenant) bears responsibility, except in cases of force majeure or the victim's own fault (art. 6:101 DCC). At the District Court of Zoetermeer, this is often applied alongside Article 6:162 DCC (tort). Rulings like the Painter's Case (Supreme Court 1994) expanded it, but the Kelderluik ruling remains dominant for real property.
Practical Examples
The Kelderluik ruling plays a key role in everyday personal injury cases in Zoetermeer. Example: you fall on a sidewalk in the Buytenwegh neighborhood due to a faulty manhole cover. The Municipality of Zoetermeer is liable under Article 6:174 DCC; claim medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering without proving negligence.
Or: in a Zoetermeer apartment building, a resident slips on a wet stair without anti-slip measures. The owners' association failed in maintenance; the court assesses against NEN standards (NEN 3215). In a 2022 case at the District Court of Zoetermeer, a victim received €25,000 after a fall due to a defective balcony railing.
Business owners in Zoetermeer: secure a cellar hatch with barriers and signs when in use, or face liability as in the ruling.
Rights and Obligations
As a victim in Zoetermeer, you are entitled to full compensation, covering:
- Medical costs: hospital and therapy.
- Lost income: missed wages.
- Pain and suffering: €1,000–€50,000 for suffering.
- Other costs: assistance or travel expenses.
The possessor must maintain and repair (art. 6:174(2) DCC). Limitation period: 5 years (art. 3:310 DCC). Report to police, take photos, and contact Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer for free advice.
Comparison with Other Liability Grounds
| Type of Liability | Basis | Proof Required | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strict Liability (Kelderluik) | Art. 6:174 DCC | Defect in setup | Fall through open hatch in Zoetermeer |
| Tort | Art. 6:162 DCC | Fault/negligence | No warning on wet floor |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.