Invisapeeps 2.0

tigerlily · Guru

Ask Amy - Champagne damages computer

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Reading fail. This is an advice column.

Whose champagne was it? That affects my answer, but right now it's on Emily to pay.

ETA: Laura should pay something though. Laptops don't belong on the floor.

-- Edited by Papa Bear on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 12:37:58 PM

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

DEAR AMY: My 18-year-old daughter “Emily” was hanging out and drinking in her friend “Laura’s” dorm room before heading out downtown. (I’ve already given the underage drinking speech many times.)

They all went to another room, and then Emily went back to Laura’s room to get her purse. She saw a bottle of unused Champagne and started to put it in Laura’s fridge when it opened and sprayed the floor.

<:ARTICLE>Unfortunately Laura’s laptop was on the floor. Emily moved it onto a chair and wiped down whatever liquid was on the case and continued to clean the room. She says it was dry when she left. She met up with Laura and told her what had happened and that she had moved her computer out of the way.

The next morning the computer did not turn on. Emily felt terrible. The following day Laura took the case off, and the computer was wet. She then went to a computer tech, and he quoted $850 to fix it. Laura wants Emily to pay. Laura did not have an accidental coverage warranty.

Emily has $200 left over from her savings for school and offered it to Laura, but she refused to take it. Laura wants Emily to give her money from her summer job.

I feel it was an accident. I wonder why Laura didn’t have a better warranty on it and why was a new computer on the floor? Is Emily responsible for the $850? -- Mom

DEAR MOM: It was an accident. Accidents happen. But people still have to be responsible for the consequences when property is damaged because of accidents they caused.

It is not for you to second-guess the warranty choices “Laura” made when she purchased this computer. Nor is it appropriate for you to blame Laura for leaving her laptop on the floor in her room.

You might point out to “Emily” that one consequence of her choice to drink before she is mature enough (or legal enough) is that she literally cannot hold her Champagne. Your daughter owes her friend $850.

<:ARTICLE>

1) I just don't buy Emily's story. The mere act of moving the champagne caused it to open and spray so vigourously it doused and ruined a computer?

2) If the facts are as stated, I don't think Emily owes her friend money. Because if Emily is responsible for choosing to illegally touch champagne (eyeroll) then Laura is responsible for allowing underaged people to drink in her room.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

What did the tech say was wrong? Spare parts can be procured for less than $850.

winds55 · Guru

Hell, a new laptop can be bought for a lot less than $850 unless it's a very specialized machine. Does the $850 include recovering data off the hard drive through extraordinary means?

The whole scenario doesn't make much sense, although I'm not sure which girl is lying.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

winds55 wrote:
Hell, a new laptop can be bought for a lot less than $850 unless it's a very specialized machine. Does the $850 include recovering data off the hard drive through extraordinary means?

The whole scenario doesn't make much sense, although I'm not sure which girl is lying.

That must be part of the surcharge, Winds.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Since they were in Laura's room, I am assuming it's Laura's champagne. And since the LW admitted that her daughter goes to this friend's dorm room to drink, I'm going to assume that's what they were doing. I think they should split the cost. Because Laura provided alcohol to a minor, she bears some fault in this.

If they were 21 year olds, I'd say all of the cost is on Emily.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

If instead of champagne it was water would it be different?
I don't it matters to whom the champagne belonged to or if there was any underage drinking involved.

I think Emily should pay, it was an accident but I think she should be accountable since she was the one spilling the liquid on the laptop.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Des, I disagree. Because supplying alcohol to minors is illegal. If Laura is supplying soda, then she is not doing anything wrong and is totally blameless. But if Laura is supplying a minor with alcohol, then she IS doing something wrong. Her misbehavior contributed to the accident. If you supply minors with alcohol, then you assume some responsibility when the 18 year old can't hold their liquor and drops said liquor on your possessions.

kinalikamom · Senior Member

We don't really know if Laura was the supplier. We know that Emily was in L's room drinking. We know they left and E returned alone. We know L's computer is ruined, thanks to E.

As far as we know, Laura could be the same age as E and a third person was the supplier. Or Emily has a fake ID (shocking, I know!) and did the buying.

I agree with Des. Emily is responsible. Cough it up, Sweet Cheeks!

catwoman708 · Veteran Member

For real Amy?

I really don't think it matters if it was a soda or champagne that caused the spill, who bought it or was drinking it. Emily was careless with the beverage, and Laura was careless with an expensive piece of electronic equipment. They are both at fault and should split the bill, and chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Kids (or young adults of any age) will not usually learn to take care of their own belongings or respect other's until they've had to pay for them a time or two.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

Papa Bear wrote:
What did the tech say was wrong? Spare parts can be procured for less than $850.

Whole Laptops, brand new, can be procured for less than $850.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

While 21 is old enough to drink, 18 is old enough to be responsible for your own actions. HOWEVER, I'd suggest that "Emily" be responsible by arranging repair of the laptop. Don't take "Laura's" word for the repair cost.

jmfeldmann · Senior Member

this is all on emily. i do not care if they were drinking champagne, water, soda, or she spilt bong water on it.

Emily spilled the drink and got the laptop wet. Laptop is ruined. Emily is responsible for making laura whole again.

Evil Stepmother · Guru

I think it is all on Emily, too. Champagne does not spontaneously spray from a bottle. She must have done something other than just move the bottle to the refrigerator.

winds55 · Guru

The whole thing still doesn't make sense to me. It's not that easy to get fluid inside a laptop and the amount that would get in would not have the computer still wet a day later if Emily had picked it up immediately. The repair cost sounds really high, even for ripoff places. I think Laura saw a chance for a new laptop and jumped at it.

Forty-two · Guru

I spilled a drink on my friend's laptop and ruined it. Thank God it was a company laptop. Emily should fix/replace the computer, I cannot imagine it will cost $850 though.

kinalikamom · Senior Member

Just a thought, and keeping in mind that I am not a computer geek.........

It may be the software on the computer that is causing the (ridiculously high) cost to replace. Sometimes university classes have specialized stuff they require students to have (having had 2 major in engineering made me think of this).

winds55 · Guru

kina - unless there is data on the computer that they have to get off the hard drive by a special company (although that would cost a lot more than $850) the software shouldn't be an issue. The same software should be able to be loaded onto the laptop either with the installation CDs or a download. If it was an especially hardware-loaded laptop, higher than usual RAM, video card, etc., only an idiot would leave it on the floor, especially at a party.

kinalikamom · Senior Member

winds55 wrote:
kina - unless there is data on the computer that they have to get off the hard drive by a special company (although that would cost a lot more than $850) the software shouldn't be an issue. The same software should be able to be loaded onto the laptop either with the installation CDs or a download. If it was an especially hardware-loaded laptop, higher than usual RAM, video card, etc., only an idiot would leave it on the floor, especially at a party.

winds, we're talking about teenagers (albeit technical adults) here. Not all the little gray cells are fully developed and/or working. (Just my way of saying they do act like idiots sometimes...)

So, although my scenario is possible, not probable. Oh, well.

Emily still needs to grow up and take responsibility.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

Papa Bear wrote:
Desdenova wrote:
I don't agree PB, for example lets say I leave my car parked outside my house, in the street, while I go inside and take my purse. Then a person that's distracted on the cellphone/changing radio stations/drunk crashes my car and totals it.

Is it my fault for leaving it outside? Should I pay for the recklessness of someone else?
It doesn't matter if I'm insured or not, the other person is at fault and should pay for the damage s/he did to my property.
Cars belong on streets or the ground. Laptops don't.
A driver has a huge amount of responsibility, far above and beyond a person just walking.
No you shouldn't pay for someone else's recklessness. However, that is not necessarily this situation.

I think that is your own standard for where a laptop should be, people have different ideas of where their laptops/electronics should be.

Going back to my analogy if I had a proper garage to put my car and I left it on the street instead of putting it where it would be safe, then I would have to pay for the repairs since I didn't put it where it was safer?

ETA: Write in a way that actually makes sense.
-- Edited by Desdenova on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 04:20:47 PM

-- Edited by Desdenova on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 04:21:12 PM

Cactus · Senior Member

I agree that the fact that it was champagne and that one or both girls were underage is not relevent at all. It doesn't make either girl more at fault than if they were of age.

The letter seems designed to make Emily seem as blameless as possible and I wonder what she was really doing. I do agree that she should get the laptop repaired herself rather than just let Laura hand her a bill.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

I cannot get on board with the idea that laptops can just be on the floor.

It's a laptop. A very important, fairly delicate piece of machinery. The average laptop has more computing power than the Apollo did when it landed on the moon. And Emily was supposed to just expect that a laptop might be on the floor? I think Laura needs to spend some money. If this is what it takes to teach Laura to respect the machine, so be it.

Desdenova · Motherhood: Sleep is for the weak!!

I don't agree PB, for example lets say I leave my car parked outside my house, in the street, while I go inside and take my purse. Then a person that's distracted on the cellphone/changing radio stations/drunk crashes my car and totals it.

Is it my fault for leaving it outside? Should I pay for the recklessness of someone else?
It doesn't matter if I'm insured or not, the other person is at fault and should pay for the damage s/he did to my property.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Desdenova wrote:
I don't agree PB, for example lets say I leave my car parked outside my house, in the street, while I go inside and take my purse. Then a person that's distracted on the cellphone/changing radio stations/drunk crashes my car and totals it.

Is it my fault for leaving it outside? Should I pay for the recklessness of someone else?
It doesn't matter if I'm insured or not, the other person is at fault and should pay for the damage s/he did to my property.

Cars belong on streets or the ground. Laptops don't.

A driver has a huge amount of responsibility, far above and beyond a person just walking.

No you shouldn't pay for someone else's recklessness. However, that is not necessarily this situation.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Full disclosure: A few days ago (maybe before this thread, I forget) I reamed out DD13 royally for leaving my iPod on the ground. Nothing would have stopped DD6 from innocently scrunching it with her feet.

I realize that Emily isn't six, but she was supposed to check the floor for possible fragile electronics?

Cactus · Senior Member

I don't think it's so unreasonable to leave a laptop on the floor. Not everybody has a lot of furniture. And why wouldn't people just be careful wherever things are? What about other expensive things left on the floor?

Of course in some situations things should be put away and out of reach but it's not clear this was such a situation.

And it doesn't mean the person who caused the damage is not the one responsible for it.

Forty-two · Guru

I know for a fact that three out of the four laptops I have at home are laying on the floor right now.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Forty-two wrote:
I know for a fact that three out of the four laptops I have at home are laying on the floor right now.

Sucks to be them.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Cactus wrote:
I don't think it's so unreasonable to leave a laptop on the floor. Not everybody has a lot of furniture. (1) And why wouldn't people just be careful wherever things are? What about other expensive things left on the floor? (2)

Of course in some situations things should be put away and out of reach but it's not clear this was such a situation.

And it doesn't mean the person who caused the damage is not the one responsible for it. (3)

1. A desk isn't "a lot." Most dorm rooms I've ever seen had at least that.

2. Such as? Would you leave jewelry there?

3. Oh sure, that person bears some responsibility no matter.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Forty-two wrote:
I know for a fact that three out of the four laptops I have at home are laying on the floor right now.

42 -- I'll be very honest. You mention that "fist-forking" standard now and again as constituting a deal-breaker.

If I saw a potential whoever leaving a laptop on the floor, that would be my own "fist-forking" get-me-the-heck-out-of-there standard.

Cactus · Senior Member

What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

If this happened to shoes, speakers, etc. then Emily wouldn't have a leg to stand on (so to speak). That said, I can't imagine $850 of damage from those things.

If this happened on a desk, again it's all on Emily. Desks (or cabinets) are where such things belong.

I assume this wasn't in Japan where it seems (to me) everything happens on the floor.

As for stepping on it. Say a roommate gets up, goes to the loo, comes back. So as to not wake up Laura, she leaves the light off and innocently *scrunches* the laptop that she didn't even know was there. I would put zero of that on the roommate.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Desdenova wrote:
Papa Bear wrote:
Desdenova wrote:
I don't agree PB, for example lets say I leave my car parked outside my house, in the street, while I go inside and take my purse. Then a person that's distracted on the cellphone/changing radio stations/drunk crashes my car and totals it.

Is it my fault for leaving it outside? Should I pay for the recklessness of someone else?
It doesn't matter if I'm insured or not, the other person is at fault and should pay for the damage s/he did to my property.
Cars belong on streets or the ground. Laptops don't.
A driver has a huge amount of responsibility, far above and beyond a person just walking.
No you shouldn't pay for someone else's recklessness. However, that is not necessarily this situation.
I think that is your own standard for where a laptop should be, people have different ideas of where their laptops/electronics should be.
Going back to my analogy if I had a proper garage to put my car and I left it on the street instead of putting it where it would be safe, then I would have to pay for the repairs since I didn't put it where it was safer?

ETA: Write in a way that actually makes sense.
-- Edited by Desdenova on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 04:20:47 PM

-- Edited by Desdenova on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 04:21:12 PM

Parents have the right to let their baby nap on their driveway. If a car backs over the baby, that's on the driver. The parents were still reckless and dangerous fools for letting baby take a nap on the driveway. Because no reasonable person anticipates that a baby is taking a nap on the driveway.

That would be a better analogy for this.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

If I were the LW, then Emily would be paying the full $850 to learn a lesson about underage drinking. And if I were Laura's parent, then I would not permit Laura to accept the money and Laura would be paying for a new laptop out of her summer money to learn a lesson about underage drinking and to learn about treating $850 electronics with care. Leaving a laptop on the floor when you will be having guests and those guests will be drinking is just a dumbass move.

If either parents were decent parents, they would be fighting over who gets to have this valuable life lesson, not over who gets a measly $850.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

OpheliaDev1 wrote:
If I were the LW, then Emily would be paying the full $850 to learn a lesson about underage drinking. And if I were Laura's parent, then I would not permit Laura to accept the money and Laura would be paying for a new laptop out of her summer money to learn a lesson about underage drinking and to learn about treating $850 electronics with care. Leaving a laptop on the floor when you will be having guests and those guests will be drinking is just a dumbass move.

If either parents were decent parents, they would be fighting over who gets to have this valuable life lesson, not over who gets a measly $850.

Thank you, Ophelia.

Forty-two · Guru

Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.

Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!

Papa Bear · Senior Member

Forty-two wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!

That's quite the party on your floor, 42.

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.

Champagne on computer on desk - Laura still has some responsibility for providing alcohol to minors and/or drinking as a minor. Soda in computer on desk - totally Emily's fault. Soda in computer on floor - as Laura's mom, I would want her to pay for half of the repairs out of her own money, b/c it's just a dumb idea to put a laptop (or other expensive item) on the floor of a dorm room. As Laura's mom, I'd be asking, why wasn't it under your bed or under your desk where it would be safe?

For example, it would be very easy for a laptop on the floor to be hidden by a towel or something. If Emily steps on a laptop that's covered by a towel, then I don't think Emily is responsible. If I were Emily's mom, I would not be paying if she stepped on a laptop covered by a towel on the floor, for example. Unless she had been drinking, then she'd be paying that full $850. THis is because i have very very strong feelings against underage drinking, and I'd want to take the opportunity staple my kid's ass to the WALL. $850 is waaaay cheaper than a DUI or a car accident.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

Papa Bear wrote:
Forty-two wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!
That's quite the party on your floor, 42.

Here's a nice set of Polk Audio for only $1,299.00...

I'd own 'em.

Forty-two · Guru

RichardInTN wrote:
Papa Bear wrote:
Forty-two wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!
That's quite the party on your floor, 42.
Here's a nice set of Polk Audio for only $1,299.00...
I'd own 'em.

That may be them but I know they cost more than $1300, I am thinking like $2500

Papa Bear · Senior Member

For that kind of money, why are they on the floor? Elevate them so the whole room can enjoy more of the sound.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

RichardInTN wrote:
Papa Bear wrote:
Forty-two wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!
That's quite the party on your floor, 42.
Here's a nice set of Polk Audio for only $1,299.00...
I'd own 'em.

I like the design of these. The slight elevation suggests that they almost anticipate an accident on the floor to happen. It's radical, I know.

Forty-two · Guru

I just checked with DH mine are aci speakers and they cost $2500 EACH, yes they sit on the floor they are made to sit on the floor. Just like my printer sits on the floor as does the four or five computer towers we have in the house.

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

Papa Bear wrote:
RichardInTN wrote:
Papa Bear wrote:
Forty-two wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Yeah my speakers cost a **** load more than my laptop as do some red bottom shoes!
That's quite the party on your floor, 42.
Here's a nice set of Polk Audio for only $1,299.00...
I'd own 'em.
I like the design of these. The slight elevation suggests that they almost anticipate an accident on the floor to happen. It's radical, I know.

Actually the design is to keep the carpet from "deadening" the speaker. If you put those on a carpeted floor the pins will sink into the carpet and support the speaker above the carpet (the carpet may still TOUCH the speaker, but it won't be supporting it).

RichardInTN · I believe in I.D.I.C.

Ohhh ACI...

Color me jealous.

jmfeldmann · Senior Member

OpheliaDev1 wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Champagne on computer on desk - Laura still has some responsibility for providing alcohol to minors and/or drinking as a minor. Soda in computer on desk - totally Emily's fault. Soda in computer on floor - as Laura's mom, I would want her to pay for half of the repairs out of her own money, b/c it's just a dumb idea to put a laptop (or other expensive item) on the floor of a dorm room. As Laura's mom, I'd be asking, why wasn't it under your bed or under your desk where it would be safe?
For example, it would be very easy for a laptop on the floor to be hidden by a towel or something. If Emily steps on a laptop that's covered by a towel, then I don't think Emily is responsible. If I were Emily's mom, I would not be paying if she stepped on a laptop covered by a towel on the floor, for example. Unless she had been drinking, then she'd be paying that full $850. THis is because i have very very strong feelings against underage drinking, and I'd want to take the opportunity staple my kid's ass to the WALL. $850 is waaaay cheaper than a DUI or a car accident.

i disagree. What ruined the laptop is not at question here, but WHO.

Emily ruined it, it is Emily's job to make Laura right.

Papa Bear · Senior Member

jmfeldmann wrote:
OpheliaDev1 wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Champagne on computer on desk - Laura still has some responsibility for providing alcohol to minors and/or drinking as a minor. Soda in computer on desk - totally Emily's fault. Soda in computer on floor - as Laura's mom, I would want her to pay for half of the repairs out of her own money, b/c it's just a dumb idea to put a laptop (or other expensive item) on the floor of a dorm room. As Laura's mom, I'd be asking, why wasn't it under your bed or under your desk where it would be safe?
For example, it would be very easy for a laptop on the floor to be hidden by a towel or something. If Emily steps on a laptop that's covered by a towel, then I don't think Emily is responsible. If I were Emily's mom, I would not be paying if she stepped on a laptop covered by a towel on the floor, for example. Unless she had been drinking, then she'd be paying that full $850. THis is because i have very very strong feelings against underage drinking, and I'd want to take the opportunity staple my kid's ass to the WALL. $850 is waaaay cheaper than a DUI or a car accident.
i disagree. What ruined the laptop is not at question here, but WHO.
Emily ruined it, it is Emily's job to make Laura right.

Laura has issues within Emily's ability to solve? This thread just got interesting!

OpheliaDev1 · Guru

jmfeldmann wrote:
OpheliaDev1 wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Champagne on computer on desk - Laura still has some responsibility for providing alcohol to minors and/or drinking as a minor. Soda in computer on desk - totally Emily's fault. Soda in computer on floor - as Laura's mom, I would want her to pay for half of the repairs out of her own money, b/c it's just a dumb idea to put a laptop (or other expensive item) on the floor of a dorm room. As Laura's mom, I'd be asking, why wasn't it under your bed or under your desk where it would be safe?
For example, it would be very easy for a laptop on the floor to be hidden by a towel or something. If Emily steps on a laptop that's covered by a towel, then I don't think Emily is responsible. If I were Emily's mom, I would not be paying if she stepped on a laptop covered by a towel on the floor, for example. Unless she had been drinking, then she'd be paying that full $850. THis is because i have very very strong feelings against underage drinking, and I'd want to take the opportunity staple my kid's ass to the WALL. $850 is waaaay cheaper than a DUI or a car accident.
i disagree. What ruined the laptop is not at question here, but WHO.
Emily ruined it, it is Emily's job to make Laura right.

Serving alcohol to minors is wrong. That makes Laura partly responsible for whatever happened while she was committing an illegal act.

Forty-two · Guru

OpheliaDev1 wrote:
jmfeldmann wrote:
OpheliaDev1 wrote:
Cactus wrote:
What if she had ruined expensive shoes, speakers, a decorative item like a vase or statue, etc instead of a laptop?

If she spilled the champagne on a desk and ruined a computer that was there, would that somehow make her more responsible? The computer was not ruined by a floor specific type of accident. It's not like she stepped on it. Of course if she did, I would still consider that careless.
Champagne on computer on desk - Laura still has some responsibility for providing alcohol to minors and/or drinking as a minor. Soda in computer on desk - totally Emily's fault. Soda in computer on floor - as Laura's mom, I would want her to pay for half of the repairs out of her own money, b/c it's just a dumb idea to put a laptop (or other expensive item) on the floor of a dorm room. As Laura's mom, I'd be asking, why wasn't it under your bed or under your desk where it would be safe?
For example, it would be very easy for a laptop on the floor to be hidden by a towel or something. If Emily steps on a laptop that's covered by a towel, then I don't think Emily is responsible. If I were Emily's mom, I would not be paying if she stepped on a laptop covered by a towel on the floor, for example. Unless she had been drinking, then she'd be paying that full $850. THis is because i have very very strong feelings against underage drinking, and I'd want to take the opportunity staple my kid's ass to the WALL. $850 is waaaay cheaper than a DUI or a car accident.
i disagree. What ruined the laptop is not at question here, but WHO.
Emily ruined it, it is Emily's job to make Laura right.
Serving alcohol to minors is wrong. That makes Laura partly responsible for whatever happened while she was committing an illegal act.

What does that have to do with anything?