Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

I own a laundromat in Trenton, NJ. A customer claims that ink had stained 6 pairs of pants from using one of my dryers (my attendant stated he only saw one pair of pants with stains at the ankle). What is my legal responsibility to this person? I tried to explain that the customer is basically renting the machine, and they assume the responsibility to operate the machine, inspect it for foreign materials before usage, only use proper detergents, etc.


Asked on 3/29/10, 10:37 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
John Corbett Corbett Law Firm LLC

Unless you our one of your employees knew that the machine was likely to damage the customer's clothes, you have no liability. � See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

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Answered on 4/03/10, 1:19 pm
Ronald Cappuccio Ronald J. Cappuccio, J.D., LL.M.(Tax)

First, your liability is based upon the machine working correctly. In a laundromat, one person takes out clothes and the next person puts theirs in the washer or dryer. It is not normal or customary for employees to inspect or clean each unit prior to every customer's use. Therefore, you do not have liability.

As a business owner, you must anticipate unreasonable customers. You might post a sign stating that you have no liability for damage or shrinkage to clothes,

I hope this helps!

Ron Cappuccio

www.BusinessEsq.com

P.S. When my son was about 4, he thought it was "neat" to store his crayons in the dryer. Unfortunately, I put my underware in and resulting in multi-colored stains. It was a complete mess! RJC

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Answered on 4/04/10, 10:26 am


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