I am looking after my friends 8 fishes n she said that she will be back in about 10 days but it's been 25 days n i am still stuck taking care of them. If one of them dies would i still be liable for any damages, since our agreed upon day was 10 n not an added 25 days???????? Any sort of assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you.
2007-03-16 04:04:59 · 13 answers · asked by Lovemylifefriendsfamily 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
She's either dead or just doesn't give a crap about the darn fish
2007-03-16 04:10:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are these fish- like 2 or 3 dollar fish or are they the really expensive hundred dollar fish? Regardless, if you are taking care of them the best you can- you aren't liable if they die. You can't assure that anything will stay alive- whether it is a kid or a fish. You have to take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are cared for, but besides that... you are fine. Not to mention the fact that even if it is a $100 fish, do you really think your friend is going to take you to court over $100. Court is pretty expensive and a hassle. Why are you taking care of someone else's stuff if you think they are the kind of people who would hold you responsible for something like that. Better yet- why do you feel bad- they shouldn't have left you with the fish 3 times longer than what you agreed to. Just do the best you can- that is all the law requires.
2007-03-16 11:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by katiekat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you would not be liable. This is an act of friendship, not a contractual agreement and you are acting purely as a kind friend, without any specialist knowledge of fish care (or Ichthyology, if we have to be grand about it). Moreover, you only offered to do so for ten days and you are probably going to be out of pocket through buying fish food and whatever. Don't worry about the fish -- they will survive, with any luck, and if they don't you won't be liable -- but what about your friend? She seems to have vanished!
2007-03-16 11:14:31 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would not be liable for damages if they all died on day 1 unless she was able to show that you killed them intentionally. You agreed to do her a favor out of kindliness.
Unless you signed a contract guaranteeing that she would return to 8 live fish at an undetermined date I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-03-16 11:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by Pooky Bear the Sensitive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will only be liable for damages if you do not exercise ordinary care. What that means is, you have to feed them "regularly", according to whatever advice she left you with, and probably make sure the temperature is according to whatever advice she gave, and that's probably it.
You can't abandon them, but you aren't being paid for this, so your standard of care is fairly low.
You probably could charge her something "reasonable" for the extra days, since the agreement was for ten days, and this is more than a minimal extension.
2007-03-16 11:26:56 · answer #5 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of fish don't have a very long life span. The odds of one of the 8 going belly up are pretty good. I don't think you would be liable.
Is she going to take you to court over a $2 fish?
2007-03-16 11:36:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that your friend is taking advantage of your kindness. If you want to take care of her fish until she comes back, then do so. If you abandon those fish and they die as a result of it, your friend will be angry with you but if one of the fish die while you are caring for them, there is nothing you can do. Tell her it died of old age.
2007-03-16 11:17:13 · answer #7 · answered by youngpoet_33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What kind of fish are we talking about. Are they exsotic fish that are rare and hard to find? Are you in contact with her? Do you know where she can receive a letter telling her that if she doens't come back her fish are SOL? I dont think you could be libale at all for any of it. You're just helping her out.
2007-03-16 11:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by ray_hilton717 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well no 10 is 10 and 25 is not 10..so if something happens she sooooo can not be mad...I hope nothing does happen but in the case that it do..."ITS NOT YOUR FAULT!!!!!
2007-03-16 11:14:18 · answer #9 · answered by T-MAC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you shouldn't b/c you offered your help. If your doing everything right i don't see a problem. You shouldn't be liable.
2007-03-16 11:16:38 · answer #10 · answered by daddy's lil devil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋