A. Not until a halachic act of acquisition is made. Even giving over the keys is only considered as saying - go & make a chazaka to be Koneh.
***
Q. If a person falls into a pit & gets hurt , the pit owner must pay , but not if the faller died. Why ?
A. It is a decree of the Torah - Gezeras Hakosuv.
***
Q. What if an animal fell in with a load of precious utensils on its back , & the animal died & the utensils were ruined ?
A. The pit owner pays for the animal but not for the utensils.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com
