Can a employer leave a contractor liable for damages to a company vehicle?
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Can a employer leave a contractor liable for damages to a company vehicle?
The company truck engine locked up and my employer is trying to hold me liable for the new engine when it’s not even lack of maintenance. Can they do that?
Asked on December 9, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Oklahoma
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
You are liable only if you were at fault in some way--that's the case with any liability for property damage in any context: there must be demonstrable or provable fault to make another pay for the damage. Without fault, there is no liability.
There is one exception: people can contractually assume (that is, accept) liability, so if you signed a contract making you responsible for truck damage regardless of cause, that is legal and enforceable.
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