Can you be held liable for damages caused accidentally?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can you be held liable for damages caused accidentally?
I slipped in a dentist’s parking lot and broke the receptionist’s taillight. It was raining and windy. Am I liable for damages? I was also injured.
Asked on December 16, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, Oregon
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
It depends. The question is, where you personally negligent, or unreasonably careless, in some way? E.g running in a parking lot, especially in the wind? Texting on your phone while walking? If you were careless, it is possible you might be liable, but if you did nothing wrong and this was just one of those accidents that sometimes occur, then no.
If the dentist office was negligent in some way, btw, they may be responsible for your injury. For example, if the lot was not well lit and it night, and you tripped in part because you couldn't see where you were going, that might make them liable. If they did nothing wrong, then again, there's no fault without liability.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.