Who is responsible for damage caused by children while at school?
Full Question:
What if your child is at school during school hours in the playground, and throws some rocks along with another boy, and hits a teachers car, not intentionally, am I (the parent) responsible for any damages to the car, whether big or small?
04/21/2009 |
Category: Minors |
State: Georgia |
#16080
Answer:
Georgia law provides that parents are liable for property damage resulting from willful or malicious acts of their minor child (under the age of 18).
The following is a GA statute:
51-2-3. (a) Every parent or guardian having the custody and control over
a....
(a) Every parent or guardian having the custody and control over a
minor child or children under the age of 18 shall be liable in an
amount not to exceed $10,000.00 plus court costs for the willful or
malicious acts of the minor child or children resulting in reasonable
medical expenses to another, damage to the property of another, or both
reasonable medical expenses and damage to property.
(b) This Code section shall be cumulative and shall not be restrictive
of any remedies now available to any person, firm, or corporation for
injuries or damages arising out of the acts, torts, or negligence of a
minor child under the "family-purpose car doctrine," any statute, or
common law in force and effect in this state.
(c) The intent of the General Assembly in passing this Code section is
to provide for the public welfare and aid in the control of juvenile
delinquency, not to provide restorative compensation to victims of
injurious or tortious conduct by children.