OMG 1Ds MK3 hit the concrete

Gary McDuffie wrote in post #7384387
Several of you have referred to the camera being placed on the edge of the table. While that may well be the case, the original OP said nothing about that. People are making assumptions. I stand behind what I said earlier, but it wasn't established that the camera was just sitting there begging to be snagged.

Still...

his camera wasn't on the edge, but the long Canon strap was close to the edge and the lady's handbag somehow got caught and dragged the whole rig down, he was putting away gears and I guess while he was organizing those lenses in the bag and he took his eyes off of the camera, and it just happen in the wrong place at the wrong time or something....

In some places I've been, to put a drink close enough to be knocked off the table by the purse of a passing stranger would be considered alcohol abuse!

liquefied wrote in post #7383252
It was an accident. Your friend knows now to be more careful with his camera. Anyone advocating suing just gtfo.

++1

wow, that's a horrible story. I've always had an uncomfortable feeling having a neck strap attached to my camera. In the 1st week I owned a SLR I had the neck strap get snagged a handful of times. It was enough times to take a hint and not wait for the snag that would result in the inevitable demise of my camera. Since that 1st week I've only used hand straps and have never had a dropped camera in 12 years. But then again I've never had the misfortune of having a clumsy bystander walk passed me and take out my camera so careless and rude.

Gary McDuffie wrote in post #7384387
Several of you have referred to the camera being placed on the edge of the table. While that may well be the case, the original OP said nothing about that. People are making assumptions. I stand behind what I said earlier, but it wasn't established that the camera was just sitting there begging to be snagged.

Still...

considering the ladies hand bag caught the strap. the camera must have been at least 12 inches from the ledge. Unless he had a 4' strap I am sure the camera was either at the ledge or close to the ledge. Like I said, with expensive gear, I always place the gear back into the bag OR if I must place on the table, I will place the camera far far away from any ledges and the strap would most likely go under the camera. Much of it is common sense.

Tony has a point. I wouldn't leave my drink sitting close to the edge of the table - or my camera either.

-js

You can't compare a car accident to a camera. You ruin your credibility when you do things like that, because it's simply not the same thing as someone accidentally knocking something off that you had in the right of way that they were walking through.

I wouldn't wish that kind of damage on anyone but didn't your friend order a hot soup/coffee? If he'd burnt his tongue you could've sued and covered up the cost through that.
Alternatively suing the restaurant for not providing stable, covered chairs is another option.

Either way this is something for Canon engineers to think about - perhaps a 'Careless User' mode where the whole darn thing fires multiple airbags as it goes down whilst alerting the nearest Canon Authorized Repair Centre of an incoming casualty...

Time to learn from NASA, Canon:

well, okay, I suppose I'll respond to a couple of the comments about my previous post.

I didn't say the store sold this model, but rather said she should have been aware of potentially valuable small electronic devices. Thank you, however, for taking the opportunity to poke fun at my chosen profession; I'm sure it felt good.

To Eagle (addressing your three faces of confusion): yes, it was a joke. Perhaps not funny, but a joke nonetheless.

I'm sure if you think about it you can remember something more stupid. Youtube comments maybe? Yes, I wrote that in jest, but I do mean to emphasize that while accidents do happen, the OP said nothing to indicate the camera was too close to the edge of the table or anything like that.

Yes, I remember this. Painful memories sometimes, but vivid indeed. I would have had to miss a solid chunk of civ pro to miss personal jurisdiction!

Okay, so we're all on the same page? It was joke! I would still talk to Best Buy about it. And have the airbags Leechbert showed installed. Everywhere. Okay fine, no more sarcasm for me

randy.wick wrote in post #7382865
That's a very good point. Still, a Best Buy employee should be aware of the potential value of a relatively small electronic device.

I'd sue the hell out of her, and attach best buy under a respondeat superior theory. Failure to properly prepare employees to understand the dangers of carelessly swinging hand bags around expensive camera equipment. Twenty page complaint. Maybe you're a resident of another state and you can even bring it action in federal court...

Or maybe I'm just a law student and like trying to think of things from this point of view

Uhm... no. Respondeat superior holds the employer liable for actions their employees commit in the course of their employment. This happened in a restaurant, not at Best Buy. The fact that she was carrying a handbag tends to show that she was not on the clock. I'd say lunch or dinner break? No offense, but you sound like a first year law student.

He can sue her, as an individual, in small claims court or, at best, file a tort action for the conversion of property. All he'd be able to get is the cost of repair, not replacement. Would vary state to state if he could get attorney's fees. The main point is whether it would be worth it to pursue? He could do anything he wanted to, really... but I'm not so sure he has a case to win.

Consider it an expensive lesson to buy insurance. **** happens.

I don't know the legal system in the US, but in Europe people usually have civil responsibility insurances. in that case it's the insurance of the person who inflicts the damages that will pay.
Maybe your friend can go and talk to her and if she has such an insurance, it won't cost her anything to have the gear of your friend repaired (except if her insurance proves that your friend neglected his gear by leaving it on the table as he did).
Now of course, if she doesn't want to, you're stuck.

Without having read all the other responses , personally, I think this is just an accident. Its really no fault on either party.

If I was your friend I would investigate if I had accidental damage cover on his insurance policy.

randy.wick wrote in post #7385482
I would still talk to Best Buy about it.

Why not try and blackmail her? Great idea.

I really don't think you needed to put the bit in about being a law student, unless you were simply making the point that you're not yet qualified.

I feel real bad for the party BUT its a public place you won't get anywhere
happenstance in public domain

miccullen wrote in post #7386160
I really don't think you needed to put the bit in about being a law student, unless you were simply making the point that you're not yet qualified.

I can say bookworthy, cause I'm a law student, too. Let me take the bar this July, cross my fingers, get the results, and then I'll respond with more assertive authority here.