Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Maine

How much am I responsable for?

My 12 year old son was staying at a friends house. They had a 4 wheeler out and he asked to ride it. They asked if he had driven one before and he said yes. ( He told me he has driven one a couple of times). While riding he lost control a caused $2200 worth of damage. The people that own the four wheeler are trying to tell me I am responcable for all the damage, even though I had no prior knowledge that they were going to let him ride it. I would like to know what I'm responsable for.


Asked on 6/28/02, 9:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patrick Tracy Patrick J. Tracy, Esq, P.E.,

Re: How much am I responsable for?

I am not admitted to the maine bar, thus I can only speak in general terms. There is comparable fault here your son told them that he had operated a similar vehicle several times. Since he is a monor you are responsible for his actions. They are also responsible since they own the device. If someone sued you over this matter, they would find the parties joint and severally liable for the damage. This means that one or the other or both must pay the damages. In sum, you could be responsible for all. Try to negotiate a settlement with the owner and the one who's property is damaged. It's cheaper that hiring a lawyer to settle this at 200.00/hr

Patrick Tracy

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Answered on 6/29/02, 6:24 am


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