| Ordinarily, yes, we are responsible for "cleaning up" our own accidents. I have taught my son such. It is, however, not strictly a matter of justice, unless you were not careful enough. (There is such a thing as being responsible because of negligence, of course, and it is related to an intent to shirk). Rather, it is a matter of owning bad luck. It is a rule of convenience, to make the party most nearly responsible liable. However, one would be a jerk to expect a child who accidentally broke am expensive momento to replace it. It is too much of an imposition, and one assumed a certain degree of risk by leaving it out in a vulnerable spot. The only hook he should be on, in that circumstance, is to express regret, and retrieve a dust- pan and broom to clean up the mess....... |
