Dry cleaner refuses to reimburse damaged coat?

Questioner

The dry cleaners I've been going to for 30 years ruined a designer jacket of mine. The seam is torn. And they won't pay for it.

Lawyer

I understand that this is a very frustrating situation for you. In Dutch law, there is a rule for situations like this, called 'unlawful act'. This means that if someone else causes damage to your property, that person is in principle liable and must pay for the damage. In your case, if your claim is that the dry cleaner was negligent in treating your coat, you could try to recover the damages from them. You will need to be able to prove that the damage was caused by a mistake by the dry cleaner. Gather as much evidence as possible for this, for example by taking photos of the damaged coat. If the dry cleaner refuses to pay, you can send them a registered letter explaining that you hold them liable for the damage. You can also contact your legal expenses insurer if you have one, they can help you further with claiming the damage. However, in such matters there are often many nuances and possibilities, and to ensure that you properly protect your rights, I recommend that you contact a lawyer or legal expert for more detailed advice.' ---------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer