Hanging uniform on sprinkler a $700K blunder?

It was an admirable goal for a Junior Reserve Officers Training Cadet from Virginia Beach, Virginia, who wanted to make sure his medals and ribbons were squared away on his uniform before his out-of-town drill competition.

Too bad he hooked the uniform to the sprinkler in his hotel room while doing so and in removing it the next day, activated the sprinkler, causing nearly $700,000 in damage to the hotel, which is now suing the family and the Virginia Beach school district to cover, according to the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.

"It's a parent's worst nightmare," school district attorney Rick Matthews said in an interview with the newspaper, arguing his client shouldn't have to pay.

The parent’s homeowner's insurer is currently paying for the student’s defense, but it wants out of the case and has started legal proceedings to avoid defense and indemnity, according to the article.