Liability as a locksmith

[AaronJ]

The state is Louisiana.

First, thank you for reading my questions. Your advice is appreciated.

I am a locksmith for a company of about 12 employees.

Questions:

1. I let someone into a home without checking their credentials. They steal nothing nor do any damage but the homeowner finds out. What is my/the company's liability?

2. Same situation but the person steals or damages property. What is my/the company's liability?

3. A lock, safe, vault, etc. that I serviced fails to operate. The owner is financially inconvienced. What is my/ the company's liability.

Examples or further clarification will be given upon request. Thank your for your consideration.

 

[stephenk]

1. your company is in trouble;
2. your company is in bigger trouble;
3. your company is responsible for the financial losses directly due to your negligence in servicing the safe.

 

[AaronJ]

Should I assume that the locksmith himself has no liability for examples 1 and 2?

Quick real world example. (happened to me):

Dispatcher radios me and tells me to go to a known customers house to let their brother in the home. This customer has been hospitilized for psychiatric reasons. This is all we know.

I informed the dispatcher that without paperwork showing the brother owns the property or a court order allowing him entry that I would not pick open the locks and let him into the home. Frankly I don't know the customers brother from the Tooth Fairy.

This caused some tension between myself and the dispatcher.

So I ask this. If this "brother" was not allowed in the home and he stole the tv, used the good silverware, kicked the dog, and burned the house down could I have been held liable?

 

[stephenk]

does your company have a written policy for such a situation? If it does, go by the company policy. If no policy, you can ask a manager to make the call whether you should pick a lock for a person (not the owner) asking to be let into a residence.

Your liability would be limited as an employee doing the bidding of your employer. The employer would be ultimately responsible.

 

[AaronJ]

No written policy on anything.

The company is a very good one to work for (pay/benefits/coworkers) but getting them to put any policies in writing is like pulling teeth.

Anyway, I learned at an early age to cover your own butt because no one else can be counted on to do it for you. I just wanted to be on the safe side.

Thank you for your time sir. Your responses were very helpful.