Laptop Damage Liability: Discover Your Options

Questioner

Who can I hold liable for the deliberate destruction of my laptop. My husband's daughter (7 years old) deliberately poured water over my laptop. She stays with us every other weekend and I wonder who I can hold liable for this. I hope you can help me with this.

Lawyer

Your husband's insurer should hold you liable, provided that insurance has been taken out of course. The damage will then fall under your husband's liability coverage. There may be exclusions for coverage in a family context. In that case, read the conditions carefully.

Questioner

Thanks for the reaction. My husband is covered by our family's liability insurance. Can I possibly recover the damage from his ex-wife, the child's mother?

Lawyer

This is possible if the mother is insured for the damage. She can then report the damage to her insurer. If there is no insurance, you can hold her personally liable, assuming that she has parental authority over the child.