small claims court

[amcneil]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
I am in the middle of a dispute that may go to small claims court regarding a broken laptop. What is my liability if a laptop was broken accidently in a dorm room that I was visiting? I am being told that I must pay for the laptop even though it was on the floor and broken accidently (my heel tapped the screen in error when trying to get up off the floor and the screen shattered).

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida
I am in the middle of a dispute that may go to small claims court regarding a broken laptop. What is my liability if a laptop was broken accidently in a dorm room that I was visiting? I am being told that I must pay for the laptop even though it was on the floor and broken accidently (my heel tapped the screen in error when trying to get up off the floor and the screen shattered).

Even if it was on the floor, even if you inadvertently stepped on it, you are still at fault for this accident. The arguments can be made on either side: the other person should not have left the laptop on the floor, but why weren't you watching where you were going?

I'd argue that there is mutual liability on both sides. Your inattention for not watching your step, and their irresponsibility for leaving the equipment on the floor where it could be stepped on. Offer to pay half. If that's not good enough, let them take you to court and let a judge make the judgment call.

 

[Hot Topic]

You knew it was on the floor. You could have picked it up, put it some place safer, then explained to the owner that you moved it because you were concerned that someone like you would step on it. You owe half the cost.