If I accidentally knocked someone’s phone on the ground, do they have a case against me or no?

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If I accidentally knocked someone’s phone on the ground, do they have a case against me or no?

Asked on November 20, 2014 under Criminal Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

There would be no criminal case against you if it truly was an accident; for an act to be criminal, there must be a criminal intent, and accidentally knocking a phone to the ground should not supply the necessary intent. However, the phone's owner could sue you for the cost to repair or replace the phone, if it were damaged or destroyed.


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