Well, here's the thing. My mum wanted... I'm not sure what exactly, but 
she paid for a company to come to our house and do some stuff to the 
guttering.

Suffice it to say that there is now a small indoor water feature in my 
bedroom. I haven't seen the damage myself yet, but by the sounds of it, 
my bed is soaked, my video camera might not work any more, the box for 

area of the room is likely to be no longer usable. (E.g., the spare PSU.)

When my mum contacted the company, they said they would dock the 
workmen's pay. It is unclear to me how this actually helps *us*.

I wonder... if workmen damage your property, can they be held legally 
accountable for this?

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Invisible wrote:
> When my mum contacted the company, they said they would dock the 
> workmen's pay. It is unclear to me how this actually helps *us*.
> 
> I wonder... if workmen damage your property, can they be held legally 
> accountable for this?

First: Is someone going to fix the freaking leak?
Second: I would think they would refund a portion of what your mum paid 
to have whatever service done.

Dunno how things like that in the UK, But here, I think there's legal 
recourse for damage incurred by someone performing work. Many 
contractors are thusly insured so insurance takes care of paying for 
damages. Unless the "victim" chooses to pursue a lawsuit.

-- 
~Mike

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Mike Raiford wrote:

> First: Is someone going to fix the freaking leak?

That would be quite optimal. After all, there is about 4 inches of snow 
on the roof still. I would hypothesize that if water can get in, all the 
hot air we're paying money to generate can get out too.

On the other hand, the workmen haven't finished what they were paid to 
do yet.

> Second: I would think they would refund a portion of what your mum paid 
> to have whatever service done.
> 
> Dunno how things like that in the UK, But here, I think there's legal 
> recourse for damage incurred by someone performing work. Many 
> contractors are thusly insured so insurance takes care of paying for 
> damages. Unless the "victim" chooses to pursue a lawsuit.

Yeah, well... we shall see, I guess.

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Mike Raiford wrote:
> Dunno how things like that in the UK, But here, I think there's legal 
> recourse for damage incurred by someone performing work.

That's the "incidental" and "consequential" damages you see referred to in 
warranties. So your damages would be a hole in the roof, incidental damages 
would be the damage to the video camera caused by the hole in the roof, and 
consequential damages would be you losing salary because you have to stay 
home to let in the guys who come to fix the hole in the roof. IANAL.

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   "Ouch ouch ouch!"
   "What's wrong? Noodles too hot?"
   "No, I have Chopstick Tunnel Syndrome."

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On 2/9/2009 7:03 AM, Mike Raiford wrote:
> Many contractors are thusly insured so insurance takes care of paying for
> damages.

IANAL, but I think they're actually required to be bonded in case their 
actions cause damage like this.

-- 
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com

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> Suffice it to say that there is now a small indoor water feature in my 
> bedroom. I haven't seen the damage myself yet, but by the sounds of it, my 
> bed is soaked, my video camera might not work any more, the box for my new 

> room is likely to be no longer usable. (E.g., the spare PSU.)
>
> When my mum contacted the company, they said they would dock the workmen's 
> pay. It is unclear to me how this actually helps *us*.
>
> I wonder... if workmen damage your property, can they be held legally 
> accountable for this?

Not sure, but I would guess the exact legal situation won't affect you (are 
you really going to take them to court if they refuse to pay for your video 
camera?).  It will more depend on how decent and reputable the company is, a 
good company would of course fix any damage and pay for any items directly 
damaged by their mistakes.

Anyway, your house insurance might cover such events.  What a shame you 
hadn't taken your brand new GFX card out of the box yet when it got soaked 
:-)

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