My 15 year old son destroyed his professor’s car out of anger.Will I be liable my son's act?

Full question:

I live with my son who is 15 years old in Florida. Last week my son destroyed his professor’s car out of anger. His professor has lodged a complaint. Will I be liable for such an act done by my son?

• Category: Minors
• Subcategory: Liability of Parent
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Florida

Answer:

In Florida, any person is entitled to recover damages from the parent of a minor by bringing an action at law, in a court of competent jurisdiction for maliciously, wilfully destroying, real, personal belonging of that person. The recovery shall be limited to the actual damages along with taxable court costs.

This is stated in Fla. Stat. §741.24. It reads:

“(1) Any municipal corporation, county, school district, or department of Florida; any person, partnership, corporation, or association; or any religious organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, shall be entitled to recover damages in an appropriate action at law, in a court of competent jurisdiction, from the parents of any minor under the age of 18 years, living with the parents, who maliciously or willfully destroys or steals property, real, personal, or mixed, belonging to such municipal corporation, county, school district, department of the state, person, partnership, corporation, association, or religious organization.
(2) The recovery shall be limited to the actual damages in addition to taxable court costs.”
 

Therefore, you being the parent of the minor may be liable for damages for the act of your son.