Damage by strangers..who is liable? (backpack, crowded, phone, expensive)
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Same. It sucks but there's really nothing you can do at this point. If it's a work laptop the company may replace it if you explain what happened and were traveling for business (had this happen with a smartphone once).
Consider this situation, you are at a lounge with your laptop and a beer by the side. A careless traveler knocks your beer onto your laptop and fries it. Then he says "Oh! I am so sorry and just walks away". What do you do in this situation?
Does your homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance cover it? Personal articles/personal property insurance? Work insurance? Otherwise buy a new laptop or have it repaired.
Personally, I would have stopped him, explained to him what happened, and gotten his information.
As to whether he would be held liable, you would need to clarify what you mean by "careless". We all have a duty to act with "reasonable care". If we don't and that results in property damage, we are responsible for that damage. Was this guy goofing off or stumbling around intoxicated? Texting on his phone? Carrying too many bags? In short, was he acting reasonable? Would you(or most people) have acted differently if you were him?
LOL! Try that and he may be finding out the deductible on his medical coverage!
Chalk it up to poor judgement.
I would never have an open container of liquids for precisely that reason. I don't think a stranger is liable for it just for knocking into it accidentally. You take a chance when you have a combination of crowds, a laptop and an open container of liquid.
I think Mysterious Benefactor's post is right on...was the man drunk and negligent, conking into everything, or did he simply bump if walking by or trying to reach his coat or something? If the latter, then no liability.
Even at work, I think my co-workers are nuts who drink mugs of coffee with their phone on the desk next to it. I always tell them to get it away from my area because I am clumsy and liable to knock something over, but if that happens again they should have taken care that their phone was away from the coffee mug.
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