Can you be held liable for not emptying a trash bin that wasn't your chore?
Not guilty
The short answer
No. The court found the defendant not guilty because the plaintiff admitted the trash bin was the plaintiff's responsibility. The plaintiff must now empty the bin daily for a week and buy a new one.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00006
the plaintiff v. the defendant
Filed 10/20/2026
- Plaintiff
- the plaintiff
- Defendant
- the defendant
Statement of claim
The defendant did not empty the trash bin, which has now broken because it was too heavy.
Charge
Failure to empty a trash bin that subsequently failed due to excess weight, in a task that was the plaintiff's responsibility.
Judgment
Not guilty
Defendant acquitted: the broken trash bin was the plaintiff's responsibility.
Sentence
The plaintiff shall empty the trash bin every evening for seven days and shall purchase a new one. Nothing is owed by the defendant.
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Assessing all mention notes
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