[mikeash]

Is that really true? Seems to me that laws tend to focus more on outcomes than mechanisms. If I invent a totally new way to kill people and then use it to murder my neighbor, I'll still be convicted of murder even though the law predates the invention of the weapon.

Similarly, this would fall under laws covering property damage. Since intent plays a big part in the law, and this was almost certainly not intentional, I'm sure they won't be found guilty of anything particularly bad, but it seems certain that they would be liable for the cost of repairs.

[nknighthb]

The concept you're looking for is the one I mentioned in my comment: torts. Not all law is criminal law.