So my college aged son start a reasonably successful lawn business to earn money over the summer. I am proud of him because he built his own business and did excellent work that brought in more money.

Tail end of the summer and he's ahead of schedule to meet his earnings goals. He is doing multiple yard improvement jobs on a customers lawn. He's edging around the house and hits a pebble with a weed trimmer propelling it into a glass door, shattering the glass.

Son apologizes for the freak accident and offers to pay to replace broken glass. He received a quote of about $600 which he and customer agree too. This was for a lawn job that was going to pay him $500.

Customer calls a week later and says there is also a nick in my picture window, and they want that replaced too. Son says no, that was not my fault, I'm not paying for it.

Son goes off to college, and the door glass was replaced for the customer. This week son gets a summons for small claims court in the mail, suing for the cost to replace the picture window for $570. In her statement, she said my son had the nerve to cry that he was "a poor college student" when she requested he replace the door and picture window.

So son has a December court date. As I said, my son has a long list of happy customers. He had people hiring him to chop down trees and install French drains. He can bring in plenty of good character and professional witnesses to support his ability.

I am trying to guide him to choose the right court of action. He paid to replace the door he clearly broke. Does anyone have an idea how a small claims court views a matter like this in Virginia?

I am toying with the idea of suing the customer back for the 600+ for the door since he was completing a job she requested, so she bears some of the responsibility. I've also wondered about him suing her back for the mental stress this causes him as he enters his junior college year as an ROTC cadet and nursing student.

I just know Lounge Legal has the answer I need. Pay the other amount because the judge will make him? Counter-sue because it was a freak accident and the customer shares part of the blame? Or put together a strong mental duress case with crying witnesses and lots of drama and leave the customer having to pay for his junior year of college? Many thanks.
[Post edited by Hokie1992 at 09/21/2020 9:44PM]