Legal Question in Consumer Law in Oregon

Re: Restaraunt theft liablity

The issue will probably turn on whether there was a bailment. A bailment is when you deliver goods to another with the express or implied representation that the other will care for the goods. So if the owner or manager of the restaurant said "go ahead leave the equipment here, it'll be safe" (expressed) or you said "If we leave the equipment here will it be safe" and the owner/manager accepts the equipment (implied) then it is likely that you would have a right to recovery. It may also be relevant if you left the equipment in an area exclusively controled by the restaurant (i.e. in an office). Absent factors such as thoses merely leaving your equipment in the public areas of a bar or restaurant for your convenience on the assumption that it will be safe - you are probably out a keyboard. Chalk it up to experience and next time have someone in charge affirm that they will watch it.