Are parents liable for damages if their child accidentally hits a car 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?

  • Category: Minors
  • Date:
  • State: Georgia

Answer:

In Georgia, parents are generally liable for property damage caused by their minor children (under 18) if the damage results from willful or malicious acts. However, if your child accidentally threw rocks and hit a teacher's car without intent to cause harm, you may not be held responsible under this law.

According to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-2-3), parents can be liable for damages up to $10,000 plus court costs for willful or malicious acts of their children. This statute aims to control juvenile delinquency rather than provide compensation to victims. Since your child's actions were unintentional, it is unlikely you would be liable for the damages.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

If your child is sick and has thrown up, it's generally best to keep them home from school to recover and prevent spreading illness to other students. Most schools have policies that encourage parents to keep sick children at home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours. Check your school's specific guidelines for more information.