Friend Damaged Expensive Item

[Starsandbutterflys]

Hi some advice please

I have a silk persion rug that I have in my front room.

My friend came over with her young step daughter (12 yards old at the time) who I made a hot chocolate for which she then spilled all over my rug some time later. My friend was on her phone on the sofa not watching her. I had to pay £900 to get the stain removed it went everywhere. My friend didn't offer to make any contribution to the cleaning or take any responsibility for her step daughter's accident. She avoided me for over a month when I started contacting her politely to say that I needed to get the cleaning started. Her boyfriend (father of the step-daughter) told her to tell me where to 'stick it' (how flattering), and we haven't spoken since. Can I take her to the small claims court..? I have evidence on email acknowledging that her step daughter caused the damage

[ImperialBlether]

It was an accident, wasn't it? I wouldn't have been watching a 12 year old, either. Can you claim for it on your contents insurance?

[troodiedoo]

You could do but I wouldn't fancy your chances.

surely you have insurance for such a valuable rug?

[chemenger]

This is what insurance is for; accidents.

[user1483387154]

If it was an accident then I do not think you should be taking her to court. Use your insurance.

[MrsGotobed]

£900 to clean a rug?!

How much is the rug worth out of interest? I presume it's covered on you r contents insurance.

TBH if you put something on the floor that is going to be walked on and life is going to go on over and around it then you have to be prepared for accidents like this to happen

[RNBrie]

I wouldn't be allowing anyone to drink hot chocolate near a silk Persian rug.

I don't think you'll get anywhere with small claims for an accident of this type.

I think your friend had a moral obligation to cover some of the cost of repair but I don't think there's a law for this. If you have expensive items in your house you need accidental damage insurance.

Sorry this happened to you OP

[INeedNewShoes]

Take your friend to small claims court!? I've heard it all now.

If you have a very valuable rug that is so precious that this sort of accident is a disaster to you, its best not to hand a 12 year old (or in fact anyone) a hot chocolate while they're sitting next to it. You need an 'only eating and drinking in the kitchen or the dining room' rule.

[Bluntness100]

I'd assume it was an accident and as such I would claim in my insurance, I would not ask someone who I considered a friend to pay, especially if they didn't have the money.

You can sue them yes, but I couldn't guess who will win. Even if you do you could be chasing for years for the money.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Huh? They were invited guests in your home, and they had an accident.

Pay for it yourself (or have your insurance pay) and suck it up. Jeez.

[Redlocks28]

If you have a very valuable rug that is so precious that this sort of accident is a disaster to you, its best not to hand a 12 year old (or in fact anyone) a hot chocolate while they're sitting next to it. You need an 'only eating and drinking in the kitchen or the dining room' rule.

This x 100. You aren't honeymooning in Maui, are you?

[PortiaCastis]

Did you purchase the rug in Maui?

[LynetteScavo]

1 You should have insurance

1. You shouldn't have given someone a hot chocolate / red wine to drink anywhere near it.

3 I'm presuming this is a reverse

[Shockers]

Poor girl, I bet she feels awful.

If you have something so precious and expensive to clean, perhaps you should keep food and drink away from it.

We don't allow food in our sitting room because it is carpeted.

[Funnyonion17]

Your being rediculous. Why on earth buy such an expensive item then give children food and drink near it? It's your fault IMO as accidents happen and you can't expect to have guests and demand hefty cleaning bills as it was your call with the drink.

[AndKnowItsSeven]

was about to ask the same thing Redlocks.

[dwpanxt]

Where were you when the accident happened? Why didnt you watch the 12 year old and deal with the spillage immediately?

Ive had a large silk persian rug cleaned and if the bill was £900.00 the rug must have been almost room sized 12'x15 ' .

That was some cup of hot chocolate to spill.

[LadyPenelopeCantDance]

Is this a joke?

You shouldn't have given her hot chocolate near the rug...

[Bunkai]

Why haven't you claimed on your insurance for this accident? Surely an rug as expensive as this would be a named item on insurance?

Agree with others why did you give the child a hot chocolate near the rug? Not surprised the friends boyfriend told you to "stick it".

[LavenderDoll]

If the rug was that precious you should have kept an eye on it
Small claims court seriously

[ScarlettFreestone]

It's unfortunate but the spillage was accidental, yes? Your house insurance should cover it.

Btw A 12 yo doesn't generally need "watched" when eating or drinking.

If the rug is that valuable then guests should be served at your table.

[PortiaCastis]

So on your other thread you're also taking your cleaner to small claims court over damaging granite, most unfortunate.

[dilapidated]

I wouldn't ask a friend to cough up for a stupidly expensive cleaning bill.

Excess on co tents insurance is a fraction of that.

Persian rugs are also excellent at hiding dirt 😆

I would have given it a go myself first. Most things like that when they go to specialist cleaners they just use the same stuff anyone else can get hold of.
It can't be dry cleaned.

No wonder your friend is avoiding you.

Accidents happen.

[BitOutOfPractice]

It's annoying yes. But suing your friend? Really? Claim on your insurance

And I can't see how "watching" a 12 year old would have prevented the accident anyway. She's not a toddler.

I have to say though I did laugh at "12 yards old"

[GrumpyOldBag]

Ask your insurance to cover it.

I think you would be considered responsible for serving the hot chocolate in the room anyway.

[TapOut]

This is what insurance is for.