Roommate Liability for Property Damage

[newduget]

What is the name of your state? Situation:
In 2002 a Japanese national and a French national rented an apt together in New York city. the French national left a candle burning which caught the place on fire. the fire department put the fire out, destroying most of the property in the apartment (est. $10,000)

After the accident both roommates signed a contract where the French national acknowledged his guilt and liability. The contract also detailed the damages. the French national may have had insurance, but has now disappeared.

Question:
What course of action should the Japanese national take to recover his losses? He is a legal resident of the United States.

 

[racer72]

He can sue Pierre for the damages in New York. But he will have to consider that Pierre doesn't have any property that would be seizable and if he doesn't know where he is, garnishing wages will be impossible. And if Pierre has left the US, as they say in New Yawk, fuhgetaboutit. Mr. Suzuki may wish to take advantage of a free consultation with a local attorney for his options but they don't look good.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Situation:
In 2002 a Japanese national and a French national rented an apt together in New York city. the French national left a candle burning which caught the place on fire. the fire department put the fire out, destroying most of the property in the apartment (est. $10,000)

After the accident both roommates signed a contract where the French national acknowledged his guilt and liability. The contract also detailed the damages. the French national may have had insurance, but has now disappeared.

Question:
What course of action should the Japanese national take to recover his losses? He is a legal resident of the United States.

**A: this is a homework question correct?