Business issue
Discussion
I installed a cctv system for a friends mom 3 years ago, she is a head teacher at a school and had limited budget so needed it cheap. All has been well and its worked fine but the school got broken in to last week and she blames my poor workmanship that the thieves could cut the wires. She now wants compensation from me. This has only come about as my co worker has split up from her daughter - nasty breakup. Before this we were all on very good terms. She also had me install a hidden cam in the staff room though didnt mention this in the snotty letter - im not sure this is even legal?
Seems odd that a school would source something at "mates rates". From my experience there are vast differences between DIY/home cctv, where the cabling will always be the weak spot, and commercial/professional systems where secured cabling is the norm.
3 years since fitting I think she's on a hiding to nothing, providing what she got was as described.
Always be wary dealing with friends and family.
3 years since fitting I think she's on a hiding to nothing, providing what she got was as described.
Always be wary dealing with friends and family.
To be able to successfully claim from you, she would need to prove to the satisfaction of a court that the exposed wires that were able to be cut in effect caused the break in.
In my experience cctv has a small deterent effect but will not prevent a determined thief as they simply cover their faces.
There is a very strong chance that a court would decide the theft would still have happened even if the cables were hidden / armoured cable.
In my experience cctv has a small deterent effect but will not prevent a determined thief as they simply cover their faces.
There is a very strong chance that a court would decide the theft would still have happened even if the cables were hidden / armoured cable.
Much about this story is odd. Is this a private school or a state school? Between which entities was the agreement for the work? The head teacher of a private school who also owns the school might contract for such work. In a state school, or a private school governed by a trust, the head teacher could and often would have contracting responsibility (in big state schools head teachers often do little teaching and are in effect the CEO/CFO), but contracts should be made according to internal procedures, and in public sector cases possibly subject to rules about procurement. Then there are the data protection, privacy and surveillance issues touched on by others above. Lastly, as already noted liability for the break in would not be attributable to the insecure cabling absent proof that but for the cabling the break in would not have occurred. Indeed, even the most secure installation could not prevent a break in although it might deter one.
I think the chances of a school suing you are very small.
A long time ago I ran a landscaping business and a bloke working for me started a fire to burn garden waste rather than taking it to the van. He ended up burning the fence down when he left it to go for his lunch break. It even torched the neighbors trampoline. The house was owned by a famous public school - but when I explained I didn't have insurance but would come and fix the fence myself they were not interested.
Given we were 100% at fault and negligent and they didn't bother to follow it up makes me think schools will not sue.
A long time ago I ran a landscaping business and a bloke working for me started a fire to burn garden waste rather than taking it to the van. He ended up burning the fence down when he left it to go for his lunch break. It even torched the neighbors trampoline. The house was owned by a famous public school - but when I explained I didn't have insurance but would come and fix the fence myself they were not interested.
Given we were 100% at fault and negligent and they didn't bother to follow it up makes me think schools will not sue.
You are probably right. But if I was really worried like the OP is I'd consult a real solicitor rather than asking on the internet. Neither of us are legally trained and googling stuff isn't going to help him. It would take a trainer person to understand what the googling actually referred to. And I doubt it's CCTV cameras or fences.
We are all just randoms giving our own opinion.
We are all just randoms giving our own opinion.
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