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My classmate and I were studying this morning for our final in nursing theory. She accidentally spilled her coffee on my laptop and now it is broken (fried, won't start). Is she responsible? I tried to talk to her and she feels like she doesn't owe me anything.
I get that it was an accident but at the same time, I am out a 650 dollar laptop because of her clumsiness. She removed the lid of the coffee and then accidentally bumped it which caused it to spill all over my laptop. I lost my files and assignments which were saved on the laptop and it will not turn on now.
I was trying to not make a big deal of it because we both had to take a final exam. To be honest, I wasn't mad at the time as I realize stuff happens. She at first offered to pay for the laptop but after the final stated that she cannot pay for it and mentioned that she had a child and lived in a one-income household. I am not sure how to proceed. I have texted her and have not received a response back. Do I take her to small claims court or what?
I cannot personally afford to purchase another laptop at this time. Advice?
I do feel really bad for her sake. At the same time however, I feel horrible on my end. All of my nursing theory papers were saved on this laptop as well as two quarters of lecture notes for theory and patho-pharm - all of them gone now if I cannot recover them.I will take it to a reliable repair shop soon in hopes that they can clean and recover my files. In the event that I am not able to do so, do you think that I should pursue other options? I realize that this was certainly an accident but at the same time, I can't help but blame her. What is your advice beyond trying to recover my files?
In my educational experience, even if you save your files on a computer, you are always advised to please back up your files by sending them to a cloud or email. I know this doesn't undo whats occurred, but this is a perfect exam of why we should back up our docs.
NNM
NeoNatMom
1 Article; 676 Posts
Definitely might need to address this with your instructor, since even though it was not intentional, damage done to another persons possessions, such as a car, don't by the other person still makes them responsible for the cost. If anything, you can take it up with administration. I definitely would hold her liable.
NNM