Did you know you could be
sued for negligence if you
fail to maintain your property
in a safe manner? It's true.
Let's review the law and
what you can do to prevent
the possibility of being sued.
Here's what the law says:
"You should not allow or
create a situation that could
be or might be dangerous to
another party...if those
circumstances, or that
situation, requires special
tools or knowledge to render
any action safe"
Confused? Basically it means
that you, as the property
owner, may know how to be
safe in and around your
property in certain
situations. For example, of
you have a pool you
probably know how to swim.
Others who visit the
property, however, may not
have the same aquatic
abilities as you. If you
haven't taken steps to
reduce the risks to these
visitors, and they become
hurt, you could be liable for
damages. Below are some
tips on avoiding injuries -
and court appearances. |
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Some safety issues are
already covered by bylaws,
such as keeping dogs on a
leash and controlling access
to a backyard pool. If you're
unsure of your
responsibilities, check them
out thoroughly beforehand.
You may also require an
extension on your insurance
policy if you have a pool.
Space won't let us run
through every possible safety
hazard in the home . Just use
your judgment. People can
always slip down the stairs,
for example. But if half your
outside steps are missing and
the others are rotting, that is
obviously negligent.
In general, keep your stairs
leveled, your walkways clear
of snow or ice, and the
exterior of your home in good
repair. Inside, keep obvious
hazards away from areas
where guests would roam; for
example, keep all power tools
stored properly away from
high traffic areas in your
home. Use your common
sense. Accidents will happen,
but your negligence shouldn't
be the cause. |
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If you run a business from
home, your regular
homeowner's policy won't
cover losses related to your
specific business activities. If
your neighbour gets hurt on
your property, you're
covered. But if a business
client slips on your un-salted
walk, you could be in trouble.
Get separate business
insurance.
Landlords obviously need
separate insurance coverage
for that property. If you rent
property, as if you lived in it,
repair any safety hazards as
soon as you're aware of
them. As a condition of
rental, you can also insist
that your tenants carry a
policy of their own.
If you're unaware of a
problem that can cause
harm, your degree of
negligence may be lessened,
but it doesn't eliminate a
possible claim. As an owner,
your property is your
responsibility.
Liability claims are becoming
more and more frequent, so
survey your property and its
condition. |
