Am I responsible for the dentist bill if my son accidentally causes an injury to his friend's tooth while playing with an air soft gun? The other boy had permission to play and did not have a the proper mouth guard.

I think it might depend on
1. whose supervision they were under
2. if the boy was told to wear a mouth guard
3. the parent/guardian of that child new that their child was not equipped with the proper protection and still allowed it.

Ethically, I would say it behooves you to offer to pay. Legally, I’m not sure; it’s possible that the bill would be covered under your Homeowner’s liability coverage, less the deductible.

Can the adults involved not come to an agreement?

Does anyone wear a mouth guard?

Is this what I have to look forward to with my kids and other parents?

“Mom, we’re going to go outside and shoot pellet guns at each other”

“Ok honey, Make sure you wear your mouth guards!”

Pay up and be glad the other kid didn’t lose a eye. Shooting a gun (even what you consider a toy) at another kids face is pretty fucked up.

You want something that protects the eyes, nose, and mouth if you are shooting paintballs.
The paintball parks around here require them at all times or you don’t play.

Airsoft pellets should be no different.

Oh my God. I send my daughter out to play without a helmet and body armor. I’m going to hell.

Seriously, your kid shot another kid in the face? And you want to escape adult responsibility? Shame on you.

It is easy to do with airsoft and paintballs, even if you are trying not to. If someone jumps or ducks at the wrong time.

You should pay. If not legally, then because it’s the right thing to do.

How old is the child?

In principle, your son is. His action caused the injury.
Which means you are.
Don’t you already know that?

I am assuming that it ws your son’s air gun. If it was, and the kids were not playing at the other childs house, I would say it’s on you.

I had a friend whose friend shot him in the mouth with a pellet gun, and the shooter’s parent’s insurance paid the bills and a lifetime income for pain & suffering (which he didn’t actually have any of – he liked his new super teeth). Jurisdictions and circumstances may vary.

Even if you’re not legally liable, you’re definitely morally liable. I don’t understand why you’d even ask this. Why not just do the right thing and pay?

No. Legally, I have no idea, but ethically, no. The parent(s) gave permission. And if a parent is going to spend ridiculous amounts of money to buy their kid an airsoft gun, they can afford the dental bills to go with it.

When I was twelve, my friend accidentally elbowed me knocked out a few pieces of my teeth while we were playing basketball. My parents paid the dental bills, and they didn’t consider that to be the other parent’s responsibility. Accidents like this are part of childhood. Parents are responsible for taking care of their own kids. It would be different if this were not an accident.

My children have wanted a trampoline for as long as I can remember. We refuse to get one. Even when the parents agree to allow their child play, if they were hurt, we would be required to pay. Any type of gun: air soft, pellet. That will just cost more in this area. Not only would we be morally bound, but legally, as well.

If someone’s child shot your child in the face, wouldn’t it strick you as something very wrong?

@hobbitsubculture it wasn’t an accident. The one kid shot the other kid in the face. He didn’t fall down or trip or anything else that can be called an accident. The kid might not have intended to cause harm, but he didn’t accidentally do the deed. You’re right, parents must take responsibility for their kids – including their kids’ choices and actions.