When we hear of “landscapers,” most of us don’t think of a dangerous job.
What could be so dangerous about planting flowers and removing weeds anyway? Well, landscaping actually poses quite a few threats. A few are negative health impacts from sun exposure, ingesting pesticides, and hearing loss from loud equipment.
Since landscaping can be a dangerous profession, is your landscaper able to file a liability claim against you as a homeowner? Keep reading to learn more!
Is My Landscaper Able to Make a Liability Claim Against Me?
The short answer is, yes, your landscaper is able to make a liability claim against you.
Anyone who is visiting your home has the ability to seek legal action if they’re harmed in some way on your property. This is why it’s so important to have a great homeowner’s insurance plan. It will help you stay protected in the case of an accident to a landscaper.
Now that we know that landscapers can make a claim against you, let’s talk about the most common claims.
1. A Dog Bite
If you have a dog, it’s important to keep them on a leash or secured inside a fence.
If your dog isn’t properly secured, you may be responsible for any accidents that happen from the dog. If you have landscapers coming to work in your backyard, it’s important to let your dog out elsewhere.
Any bites, infections, or trauma the landscaper experiences will fall on you as the homeowner. If your dog has bitten a landscaper and you’re facing a lawsuit, get in touch with Sweet Lawyers to be fairly represented.
2. An Accident Because of Your Property
If your landscaper or any other visitor is injured on your property as a result of something being unsafe, you may be liable for this.
It’s considered negligence if someone is injured on your property because of an unfixed safety concern. For example, if your landscaper trips on a loose plank on your deck and falls, you may be responsible for that as the homeowner.
3. Falling Trees or Branches
While the odds of a tree falling and injuring your landscaper are slim, falling branches also pose a risk.
As the homeowner, it’s your responsibility to have trees that are starting to die taken care of. Arborists are a great resource for removing dead or unsafe trees.
If your landscaper is tending to your lawn and a branch from a tree in your yard falls on them, any injury that requires medical help is the responsibility of the homeowner.
4. Worker Injured on the Job
Since many landscapers are independent contractors, they don’t have workers’ compensation like many employees do.
When an employee is injured and they work for a company, workers’ comp is given to help them pay for necessary medical expenses. When they’re working for you, your homeowner’s insurance may need to cover those expenses.
Are You at Risk of Having a Liability Claim Filed Against You?
If you’re a homeowner, homeowner’s insurance or property insurance is a necessity. If you get caught up in a liability claim without it, you may end up owing a lot in legal fees.
If you found this article helpful, check out our other house content!
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