Rosenblatt v. Exxon Co., U.S.A.

MURPHY, Chief Judge.

This case involves the question whether, under Maryland law, a subsequent occupier of commercial property has a cause of action in strict liability, negligence, trespass, or nuisance, for economic losses sustained, against a former occupant whose activities during its occupancy allegedly caused the property to become contaminated by toxic chemicals.

I

In July 1986, Thomas Rosenblatt leased a parcel of real property located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, from its owner, Earl Wenger. The lease agreement contained the language that Rosenblatt was accepting the property…