Weird incident - Tenant reported garage door fell and damaged

[Kappil Tom]

I would like to share a weird incident, tenant reported that while backing the car the garage door fell and the car damaged the lower panel of the garage, while I am trying to find the exact details of the incident, the garage repair guy went and saw the place and told me that he doesn't believe that it can fall by itself, he fixed the garage door, now the garage door is working fine however the repair guy is suggesting to replace lower panel of the garage and he gave quote of $1K.

This property is relative new (less than 2 years) and tenant never reported any issues with the garage earlier hence I believe it is in good working condition before this incident. Tenant is good so far he never reported any other issues, he's been living from 5 months and 7 months more to complete the lease. 

If the tenant doesn't agree to bear the cost of repair and replacement, which is around $1500, few questions

1) What options do I have to recover the cost ?

2) How does the tenant/landord disputes handled in the court? Does landlord need to prove that there is nothing wrong with the garage or does tenant needs to prove that there is something wrong with the garage ?

3) is it even worth fighting for $1500 via court system? or can I ask the tenant to share 50% of the cost and settle this matter outside the court ?

[John Teachout]

I wouldn't pursue it in court but we all know that the vehicle encountered a door that wasn't fully opened. I'd just take your estimate and the opinion of the "professional" as to what happened and present it to the tenant. I think your offer to split the cost with them seems reasonable.