Is the mechanic that worked on my truck responsible for the damage he caused?

Tomorrow I'm having a ford dealership service garage change the spark plugs on my 2005 Ford F-150 5.4L 3v v8. This engine is known for having spark plugs break while trying to remove them which causes a piece of the spark plug to get stuck in the cylinder. This poses a risk for damage to the head. If the mechanic who changes them causes damage (that will cost all my apendages) is he/she responsible? Will I have to pay for the work that needs to be done as a result of he/she failing to change them the proper way?

(1) Why are you asking in the past-tense when no one has worked on it yet? A grammatically correct question about the future should be worded, "Would a mechanic that is going to work on my truck be responsible for any damage he causes?"

(2) Yes, but how would you prove that the mechanic was responsible for doing what you are worried about? You can't prove it very easily unless you're watching over his shoulder and no shop is going to allow that. The damage wouldn't show up immediately and they could easily counter with the claim that someone else (such as you) worked on it after they did.

(3) Since you're such a pessimist and worry wart (dealerships do train their mechanics on specific vehicles), what you could do is ask for the old plugs back, and if they are unbroken there should be nothing to worry about. Didn't think of that, did you? 'Course not. Ain't brilliant like me:>)~

You are responsible for Ford's bad design unfortunately. Especially since you already know there was a huge problem with these engines you would be far better off if you tried to work with them instead of preparing to blame them.
There's a special tool set that works quite well at removing the broken plugs but most shops charge about $100. Per hole for the broken ones, which is cheap compared to pulling the heads off.

Only if the mechanics mistake or negligence caused the problem.

Now if the mechanic pulled the plug and didn't check it for damage, replaced it, and then the engine broke, that's negligence. You might have a claim, because a reasonable mechanic should have at least glanced at the old plugs to make sure they came out intact.

Now if they end up having to charge you extra time to fish out pieces of a broken plug, that's your problem. It was YOUR spark plug that was faulty or seized. No matter who had tried to remove it, it would have broken, and YOU would have this problem.

Hi so her are two factors which you need to be made aware of your truck is now 10 years old correct. It is passed it's date that FORD motor company have set on it as it's design date of 8 years. So beyond this date it lives on borrowed time. So there would be no guarntee that it would not just die anyway. So to make this point. These facts are how they get out of so much to do with old cars and trucks.

Known fault with design and materials so the mechanic can't be responsible

The best place to have the spark plugs replaced when you are aware of a factory common problem is the dealer. Just ask the service manager if they have problems snapping spark plugs off because you've heard the motor has issues with that. If he says no problem hold him to it. If he says it happens once in a while split the bill with him if it happens. Smart mechanics will remove the plugs with the motor at operating temperatures and use a hand tool not an impact wrench. Dealer mechanics should be well aware of common problems while servicing their vehicles!

You are aware of the potential problem and you want someone else to be rersponsible? Funny, I just had surgery and I had to sign a release that said if I die on he operating table… **** happens. Btw, we all laughed about it and 24 hrs later I coded for a minute

Since for has noted the issue and put out a bulletin about it, the problem is not method but materials.