RUINOUS BUILDINGS AND TREES IN DANGER OF FALLING
Art. 482. If a building, wall, column, or any other construction is in danger of falling, the owner shall be obliged to demolish it or to execute the necessary work in order to prevent it from falling.
If the proprietor does not comply with this obligation, the administrative authorities may order the demolition of the structure at the expense of the owner, or take measures to insure public safety. (389a)
Art. 483. Whenever a large tree threatens to fall in such a way as to cause damage to the land or tenement of another or to travelers over a public or private road, the owner of the tree shall be obliged to fell and remove it; and should he not do so, it shall be done at his expense by order of the administrative authorities. (390a)
Art. 1723. The engineer or architect who drew up the plans and specifications for a building is liable for damages if within fifteen years from the completion of the structure, the same should collapse by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications, or due to the defects in the ground. The contractor is likewise responsible for the damages if the edifice falls, within the same period, on account of defects in the construction or the use of materials of inferior quality furnished by him, or due to any violation of the terms of the contract. If the engineer or architect supervises the construction, he shall be solidarily liable with the contractor.
Acceptance of the building, after completion, does not imply waiver of any of the cause of action by reason of any defect mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
The action must be brought within ten years following the collapse of the building. (n)
ENUMERATION OF LIABILITIES
1. Engineer or architect
a. Liable for damages if within a PERIOD OF 15 YEARS FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE STRUCTURE, the same should collapse by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications or due to the defects of the ground
b. Shall be solidarily liable for defects that may arise during construction if they supervised the same
2. Contractor
a. Shall be liable for the same period on account of defects in the construction or the use of materials of inferior
quality furnished by him, or due to violations of the terms of the contract
NOTES:
Acceptance of the building doesn't constitute a waiver of any cause of action by reason of any defect mentioned in the preceding paragraph
Action must be brought within 10 years following the collapse of the building