Question

9. Two boys, ages 13 and 14, set fire to some boxes and cartons piled close to a building. The fire

spread to the building and damaged it. The Allstate Insurance company paid %6,837.50 to the
owners for the damages. Allstate then sued the boys to recover the money. The boys denied liability,
claiming they were too young to have intent to do wrong. They also claimed that their conduct was
typical of that of young teenagers of the same age, education, and experience. Is that a good
defense? (Allstate Fire Insurance Company v Singler, 9 Ohio App. 2d 102, 233 N.E. 2d 65)
a. Are the boy's parents liable?
b. Can the two kids be sued?
c. Can the kids be tried as adults?

Answer 1

A. Yes

B. Yes/No

C. Yes

Step-by-step explanation:

A. The parents can be liable for the actions that the children commit if they are above the age of 8 to 10 until they complete the age of majority(18 years of age), this is know as Parental Liability. Civil Parental Liability(CPL) is a law the is in all 50 states that make parents or guardians of the minor liable for any willful act of the child that results in injury or death to another person or harm to another's property

B. Yes and No, at common law a minor can sue or can be sued but only if they are emancipated but if not then they have to wait till they can be tried as an adult.

C. Yes, because arson can cause injuries, death, and extensive property damage which in this case did cause property damage, so in this case, the two minors can be tried as an adult depending on how serious the act was.