October 4, 2008 5:19 PM
Personal Injury Claims and Homeowners Insurance
You’re coming home late from work one night, and your neighbor’s cat, a mean old thing who lives outdoors, leaps from the bushes and attacks you. You suffer bite wounds and scratches to your ankle, which unfortunately become infected and require you to visit the doctor, take antibiotics, and miss quite a bit of time from work. In addition, you must stay home from work for several more days, in order to keep your leg elevated. How would you be compensated?
You’ve suffered significantly, and have real economic losses, but can’t imagine suing your neighbor. Still, he owes you a duty of care, namely, not to let his cat roam wild, enter your property, and bite you. He’s breached this duty, and you’ve been injured as a result. The solution? Make a claim against his homeowners’ insurance. In all likelihood, he’s got coverage.
A common potential source of recovery for personal injuries–as well as protection against the personal injuries claims of others–is homeowners insurance. Take a look at your own policy. If you are a renter, take a look at your renter’s policy. See what it covers. Talk to your agent. Make sure you’ve got proper coverage for all of the sorts of mishaps that can happen as a result of defective conditions in or around your home, or as a result of your pets behaving badly.
Responsible neighbors don’t let their pets run wild. It’s risky for others, and bad for the pets’ health, too. Most jurisdictions have leash laws, which can be cited in support of a personal injuries claim based on a bite from a domestic pet. These days, there is simply no excuse for letting an animal run wild, day or night. Even cats. But if you should find yourself attacked by a neighbor’s pet, a qualified personal injury lawyer can help you investigate and pursue the right sort of claim.
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This is a little off topic but I was hoping for any help I could get. I'm currently a college student out in western maryland and while on a trip to west virginia I fell down the stairs, breaking my leg, ankle and foot causing me to have extensive surgery and have many rods and pins installed. I recieved a temporary handicapped pass until April of 09 and was told by the surgeon that I would be wheelchair and or crutch boud for at least three to six months, hopefully walking with a cane by april. My lease agreement for my apartment ends next May but i have so many stairs in the house that it takes me forever to crawl up and down the stairs just to get something to eat or get ready to go anywhere, risking more damage to my leg and foot. Is it possible to get out of my lease early so that I can find a place to live that is more accessable than the apartment that I am currently living? I don't feel like paying a few thousand dollars in a residence that I can barely use and is a hassle and a danger to my leg. Any help would be appriciated because like most college students I don't really have the time or means to hire a lawyer to take this to court for me. Thanks.
# Posted By Sherm
| 11/20/08 6:16 PM
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