Facts
A water main installed by the company leaked during an exceptionally severe frost and flooded the claimant's house.
Issue
Was the company in not guarding against such an extreme frost?
Held
The company was not liable; the frost was beyond what a would provide for.
Principle
Negligence is the omission to do something a reasonable man would do, or doing something a prudent and reasonable man would not do (Alderson B).
Why it matters
The classic definition of negligence and the reasonable man standard.
Cited in these chapters
Cite this page
Blyth v Birmingham Waterworks Co (1856) 11 Ex 781 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/blyth-v-birmingham-waterworks> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.