Here's why a B.C. tribunal said Taskrabbit is not responsible for damage caused by its 'taskers'
![Drill drywall A man drills into drywall in this photo. (Image credit: Shutterstock)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/15/drill-drywall-1-7002292-1723753049936.jpg)
Taskrabbit cannot be held responsible for the cost of repairing thousands of dollars worth of damage allegedly caused by one of its "taskers," according to B.C.'s Civil Resolution Tribunal.
Wei-Po Tseng was seeking $5,000 in compensation after he told the tribunal the tasker who helped install an Ikea cabinet drilled into a water pipe, damaging a sprinkler system, drywall and hardwood floors. The decision, posted online Thursday, says Tseng submitted invoices for the repair cost as evidence.
The company argued it could not be held responsible for the damage because it is not an employer.
"Taskrabbit says it operates a web-based communication platform to connect clients seeking short term services with independent contractors," tribunal member Mark Henderson wrote.
In support of this argument, Taskrabbit pointed to an agreement Tseng and anyone else using the platform must enter into before booking a tasker.
"Section 1 of the Terms of Service says that Taskrabbit does not perform tasks and does not employ people to perform tasks," the decision said.
Tseng did not dispute that he agreed to the terms but said he – and other users – have a reasonable belief that Taskrabbit is a service provider.
"Mr. Tseng says that Taskrabbit’s branding, interface and communication with clients may contribute to this perception," the decision continued.
The tribunal found that what Tseng was seeking amounted to a claim that the company was "vicariously liable" for the damages caused by the tasker. Legally, an employer can be held responsible for an employee's actions – but the tribunal ultimately agreed that Taskrabbit is not an employer.
"There is no evidence that Taskrabbit assigns tasks to taskers or that Taskrabbit has any supervisory relationship with the taskers who list their services on the platform," the decision said.
"I find that Taskrabbit is not liable for the tasker’s alleged negligent work."
Tseng's claim was dismissed and he was also ordered to reimburse the company $25 for tribunal fees.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7033216.1726021317!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Kamala Harris goes on offence against Donald Trump in combative debate
Democratic U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris put Republican Donald Trump on the defensive at a combative U.S. presidential debate on Tuesday with a stream of attacks on abortion limits, his fitness for office and his myriad legal woes.
Key quotes from the Trump-Harris 2024 U.S. presidential debate
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump took the stage on Tuesday night for their first and only scheduled presidential debate before the Nov. 5 election.
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
Trump campaign falsely accuses immigrants in Ohio of abducting and eating pets
Former U.S. president Donald Trump’s campaign and his allies are amplifying false rumours that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were abducting and eating pets, another instance of the inflammatory and anti-immigrant rhetoric Trump has promoted throughout his campaigns.
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for U.S. president after debate ends
Taylor Swift, one of the music industry's biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the debate ended on Tuesday night.
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
Dave Grohl says he fathered a child outside of his marriage
The Foo Fighters frontman announced that he recently became a father again, writing in a statement on his Instagram page on Tuesday that his new baby girl was born 'outside' of his marriage to his wife Jordyn Blum.
$2M home belonging to children's musician Raffi on the market
Canada’s children’s troubadour is selling his B.C. home, which is now up for grabs for $1,995,000.