If it could have happened to anyone, then it's just coincidental and your tough luck. If the mechanic was somehow negligent, then it's the shop's responsibility to repair it. I've had door handles break under normal use. His offer to repair for the cost of parts and to eat the labor is fair.

things happen, I don't think it broke because of what he did

I think he is being more than fair with you

A fair deal would be for you to pay for the part and they supply the labor to replace it. The part was probably getting mighty weak when you brought it in and they just happened to be the ones who got the short straw. If it had happened to you tomorrow you would be paying parts and labor, so you are lucky.

It was OK when you brought it in there, and now it's not OK. He has to make it OK. He broke it, he buys it.

A lot of gray area here.. I have worked on many cars and door handles dont have a lot of moving parts to break. most of the time it is the mechanism inside the door. But the actual handle? If that is the case usually it is the spring in the assembly and if it is a sealed unit then the whole part needs replaced. I would look at the handle and if the car is more than 8 years old it may have just broken but if it looks like someone hit or yanked it apart have the shop fix everything. if the car is old look online for the part an after market handle could be half the price and have the shop install it..

While my car was in garage for brake repair work, the mechanic says the front door handle broke while he was opening the door. I never had any problem opening the door. The mechanic wants to charge me $80 for replacement handle and says he would not charge for the labor.

Should the garage pay for both the cost of the handle AND labor?

Would really appreciate a quick response as I need to pickup the car today.

KSN