A person accidentally trips and falls on a colleague's utensil, breaking it, in the colleague's courtyard. What is his liability?
Halachah 1: The verse in Leviticus 24:21 does not distinguish between intentional and unintentional damage — full payment is required in the victim's domain.
Question 2
Two people are walking in the public domain, and neither is running. One carrying a jug and one carrying a beam collide. The jug breaks. Who is liable?
Halachah 8: When both are walking lawfully with permission in the public domain, neither is liable for accidental breakage — each has equal right of way.
Question 3
A blacksmith hammering causes a spark to fly and damage property. Is he liable?
Halachah 11: A spark produced by hammering is treated like a thrown projectile — the blacksmith is liable for full damages as if he threw a stone or arrow.
Question 4
Five burdens were placed on an animal and it continued walking normally. A sixth person placed his burden and the animal stopped and died. Who bears liability?
Halachah 14: Since the animal was walking (stable) before the sixth load, and only stopped and died after his addition, the sixth person is solely liable.
Question 5
A person running on Friday afternoon before sunset collides with a pedestrian and injures him. Is the runner liable?
Halachah 9: Running on Friday afternoon (bein hashmashot) is permitted because a person has permission to run to prepare for Shabbat — therefore no liability for accidental collision at that time.