Question

A college student borrowed his roommate's notebook computer without permission because he needed to write a term paper that was due the next day. While the computer was sitting open on the student's desk overnight, a water pipe in the ceiling began leaking and water dripped down on the computer, rendering it inoperable. A computer repair service estimated that it would cost $500 to repair all the damaged components. At the time it was damaged, the computer was worth $700. If the roommate sues the student for the damage caused to the computer, what will be the extent of his recovery

Answer 1

Answer: $700

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information given in the question, if the roommate sues the student for the damage caused to the computer, the extent of his recovery will be $700.

In this scenario, the student has committed a conversion as the right of possession of the roommate's computer was interfered with by the student as he took it without the roommate's permission, which later sustained damage that was more than 70% of the computer's value. In such case, the extent of the recovery will be the fair market value which is $700.