Should I pay for someone's phone I accidentally broke?

cheesy*wotsit

If there is an insurance excess and you know or can trace the person - you have a season ticket and will continue to sit next to them for example - offer to pay the excess if there is one.

Otherwise, if you can't trace the person, forget it.

Stoke

You can tell so many people on this thread have never been to a football match.

Too busy watching polo.

meknowalot-51

Considering where you were i'd say he got it about right.It's ok to feel slightly concerned but his irresponsible actions were the cause of the damaged phone.What did he expect......everyone wait untill he's finished taking the pictures?The protective cover story is his admission of how stupid his actions were.I bet the people sat behind felt that some swift justice had been served.There's nothing worse when watching a game or at a concert than some muppet blocking your view with a phone or banner.

g6jns_2

MSE_Nick wrote: »

I was at a football match recently sitting next to someone who was holding his phone up to take a photo. My team scored and in my excitement I jumped and my hands inadvertently knocked his phone out of his hand, and it smashed on the floor. He wasn't angry and says he'll cover the cost to repair it as it was his choice not to have a protective cover, but I feel guilty and think I should contribute.

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There is a legal phrase that covers this ie. "Volenti non fit injuria". Literally this means there is no injury to a volunteer. When you go to a football match, or any crowded gathering, there is a risk of an accident and you accept the risk. You intended no harm and therefore you owe him nothing. However it is a nice gesture so perhaps buying him a pint after the match would have been appropriate.

tallgirld

Well he wasn't angry and said he will cover the costs so I would say there is no need to pay anything!

Goldiegirl

Whey is it that when your start work for MSE, random odd events keep happening to you, involving moral dilemmas?

It must be a strange place to work

ptrichardson

Jumping up when a team scores is expected behaviour at a football match

Whereas it's illegal to take photographs during the game (seriously!).

So no, you are not liable.

Parking_Trouble

Stoke wrote: »

You can tell so many people on this thread have never been to a football match.

Too busy watching polo.

This sums it up for me.

Get real people.

I have hugged and been hugged vigorously at football matches by complete strangers.

It is not comparable to sitting in the cinema or theatre.

xxfibeexx

I'd pay for the repair, it'd just feel wrong not to given I knocked the phone out of his hand. I sort of understand people saying he should have expected jostling but it is also right for the jostlers to have some awareness of what is going on around them.

Ebenezer_Screwj

If it was my phone that got broken, I would be livid but then again I wouldn't attend any sporting event that involved supporters leaping up and down like lunatics with no regard for other people. "Volenti non fit injuria" is the legal expression : ie, you are there at your own risk.