Lesson 2

The Harm You Cause

Le mal que vous causez

Domaj ou koze

Source: Code Henry

Introduction

The final section of Titre XVIII establishes one of the most universal principles in all law: if you cause harm, you must repair it. The Code Henry extends this responsibility beyond personal acts to include the damage caused by those under your authority, your animals, and even your buildings.
La dernière section du Titre XVIII établit un des principes les plus universels du droit : si vous causez du tort, vous devez le réparer. Le Code Henry étend cette responsabilité au-delà des actes personnels.
Dènye seksyon Tit XVIII a etabli youn nan prensip ki pi inivèsèl nan tout lalwa: si ou koze domaj, ou dwe repare l. Kòd Henri elaji responsablite sa a pi lwen pase ak pèsonèl.

Lesson Content

Articles 966–971: Delicts and Quasi-Delicts

The Fundamental Principle (Article 966)

Whoever causes damage to another by their act, negligence, or imprudence is obligated to repair it and may be condemned to pay damages. This is the bedrock of tort law — no contract is needed. The mere fact of causing harm creates the obligation.

Vicarious Liability (Articles 967–969)

This responsibility extends beyond personal acts to cover the acts of persons for whom one is responsible and things under one's care (Article 967).

Parents are liable for the acts of their children living with them (Article 968). Employers and property owners are liable for all individuals employed by them. The same applies to craftsmen and workers regarding their apprentices (Article 969). However, they can escape this liability by proving they could not prevent the harm, or that their employees/apprentices were no longer in their service when the harm occurred (Article 969).

Animals and Buildings (Articles 970–971)

Damage caused by an animal is borne by its owner or by the person using it during the relevant period (Article 970). Damage caused to a third party by the collapse of a building due to lack of maintenance or construction defects falls on the owner (Article 971).

Articles 966–971 : Délits et quasi-délits

Quiconque cause un dommage par son fait, sa négligence ou son imprudence est obligé de le réparer (Article 966). Les parents répondent des faits de leurs enfants (Article 968). Les employeurs répondent de leurs employés (Article 969). Le propriétaire d'un animal répond des dommages (Article 970). Le propriétaire d'un bâtiment en ruine est responsable (Article 971).

Atik 966–971: Deli ak kwazi-deli

Nenpòt moun ki koze domaj pa ak li, neglijans, oswa enpridans oblije repare l (Atik 966). Paran yo responsab pou ak pitit yo (Atik 968). Anplwayè yo responsab pou anplwaye yo (Atik 969). Mèt yon animal responsab pou domaj (Atik 970). Pwopriyetè yon batiman an ruin responsab (Atik 971).

Primary Source Text

Article 966: "Quiconque occasionne par son fait, par sa négligence ou son imprudence, du dommage à un autre, est obligé à le réparer."
Article 966 : « Quiconque occasionne par son fait, par sa négligence ou son imprudence, du dommage à un autre, est obligé à le réparer. »
Atik 966: "Nenpòt moun ki koze pa ak li, pa neglijans oswa enpridans li, domaj a yon lòt, oblije repare l."

Reflection

The liability of building owners for collapse (Article 971) was not abstract in Henry's kingdom. In a land of hurricanes and earthquakes, poorly maintained buildings posed real dangers. The law placed the economic burden where it belonged — on the owner who failed to maintain their property.
La responsabilité des propriétaires de bâtiments pour les effondrements n'était pas abstraite dans le royaume de Henry.
Responsablite pwopriyetè batiman pou efondreman pa t abstrè nan wayòm Henri a.

Life Lesson

You are responsible not only for what you do, but for what you fail to prevent — your children, your workers, your animals, and even your buildings can create obligations you never intended.
Vous êtes responsable non seulement de ce que vous faites, mais de ce que vous ne réussissez pas à empêcher.
Ou responsab pa sèlman pou sa ou fè, men pou sa ou pa rive anpeche — pitit ou, travayè ou, bèt ou, e menm batiman ou ka kreye obligasyon ou pa t janm gen entansyon.

Quiz

1. Under Article 966, what creates an obligation to repair damage? Selon l'article 966, qu'est-ce qui crée une obligation de réparer un dommage ? Dapre Atik 966, kisa ki kreye yon obligasyon pou repare domaj?

2. Who is responsible for damage caused by an animal? Qui est responsable des dommages causés par un animal ? Kilès ki responsab pou domaj yon animal koze?

3. Can employers escape liability for their employees' harmful acts? Les employeurs peuvent-ils échapper à la responsabilité des actes nuisibles de leurs employés ? Èske anplwayè yo ka chape responsablite pou ak ki fè mal anplwaye yo?