In this country, personal injury law aims to help those who have been injured because of another person's negligence.
That means that you could find yourself at either end of a lawsuit unexpectedly.
If you hope to avoid being the defendant facing a financially damaging court judgment, then you should be aware of the ways in which another person could be harmed on your property.
You should also know what is expected of you in preventing such circumstances.
Broken or Missing Fence There are two things that make personal injury attorneys cringe when it comes to the backyard - the pool and the trampoline.
While both can mean a great deal of enjoyment and celebrated family time, they also represent great risk.
In order to mitigate this risk, homeowners should have fences capable of keeping curious children out of their yards.
Even an unwelcomed guest that drowns in your pool or is severely injured on your trampoline can hire a personal injury lawyer and bring you to court.
For that reason, it is highly recommended that home owners regularly walk the length of their fence to ensure that there are no defects.
They should also install locks on any and all gated entrances.
Messy Walkways While it is not always the responsibility of the homeowner to replace damaged sidewalks, you are responsible for keeping any and all walkways around your property clean of dirt and debris that could otherwise pose a hazard to those walking on them.
It should be noted that in some cities and towns in the country, the property owner is responsible for managing all matters of sidewalk care - including replacement if necessary.
If you are unsure of the level of responsibility that you hold, contact the city or town in which you live.
It is better to understand how you can be held liable now, instead of learning of it after a lawsuit has been filed.
Damaged or Weak Stairs Falling from and tripping on stairs is a very common occurrence.
Sometimes, it can't be prevented.
However, if you knew of a needed repair and didn't invest the time or money to do so, you could find yourself at the wrong end of a lawsuit.
Lawyers can file lawsuits for clients who claim that the negligence of the homeowner caused their misstep or fall and led to significant injuries.
Not only do broken stairs increase your likelihood of appearing in court, they also put you and your loved ones in harm's way.
Unrestrained Pets All domestic animals living in your home or on your property are your responsibility.
Therefore, if your dog, cat, snake, or rat should bite, scratch or otherwise attack a guest or passerby, you could face a lawsuit.
This is especially true if the harm done to the victim is substantial.
For this reason, it is important to alert others to animals in and around the home.
You should also keep animals restrained or behind closed doors, especially if they are known to be aggressive.
No Expressed Warning As a property owner, you have a responsibility to point out known hazards to guests and visitors.
Should a person be hurt on a low hanging beam, in the midst of your DIY construction project, or even on an area of lifted carpet, you could face a time consuming lawsuit.
If you know of a property defect and have not had time to make the necessary repairs, be sure that you use signage or verbally alert guests to the hazards.
That means that you could find yourself at either end of a lawsuit unexpectedly.
If you hope to avoid being the defendant facing a financially damaging court judgment, then you should be aware of the ways in which another person could be harmed on your property.
You should also know what is expected of you in preventing such circumstances.
Broken or Missing Fence There are two things that make personal injury attorneys cringe when it comes to the backyard - the pool and the trampoline.
While both can mean a great deal of enjoyment and celebrated family time, they also represent great risk.
In order to mitigate this risk, homeowners should have fences capable of keeping curious children out of their yards.
Even an unwelcomed guest that drowns in your pool or is severely injured on your trampoline can hire a personal injury lawyer and bring you to court.
For that reason, it is highly recommended that home owners regularly walk the length of their fence to ensure that there are no defects.
They should also install locks on any and all gated entrances.
Messy Walkways While it is not always the responsibility of the homeowner to replace damaged sidewalks, you are responsible for keeping any and all walkways around your property clean of dirt and debris that could otherwise pose a hazard to those walking on them.
It should be noted that in some cities and towns in the country, the property owner is responsible for managing all matters of sidewalk care - including replacement if necessary.
If you are unsure of the level of responsibility that you hold, contact the city or town in which you live.
It is better to understand how you can be held liable now, instead of learning of it after a lawsuit has been filed.
Damaged or Weak Stairs Falling from and tripping on stairs is a very common occurrence.
Sometimes, it can't be prevented.
However, if you knew of a needed repair and didn't invest the time or money to do so, you could find yourself at the wrong end of a lawsuit.
Lawyers can file lawsuits for clients who claim that the negligence of the homeowner caused their misstep or fall and led to significant injuries.
Not only do broken stairs increase your likelihood of appearing in court, they also put you and your loved ones in harm's way.
Unrestrained Pets All domestic animals living in your home or on your property are your responsibility.
Therefore, if your dog, cat, snake, or rat should bite, scratch or otherwise attack a guest or passerby, you could face a lawsuit.
This is especially true if the harm done to the victim is substantial.
For this reason, it is important to alert others to animals in and around the home.
You should also keep animals restrained or behind closed doors, especially if they are known to be aggressive.
No Expressed Warning As a property owner, you have a responsibility to point out known hazards to guests and visitors.
Should a person be hurt on a low hanging beam, in the midst of your DIY construction project, or even on an area of lifted carpet, you could face a time consuming lawsuit.
If you know of a property defect and have not had time to make the necessary repairs, be sure that you use signage or verbally alert guests to the hazards.
SHARE
