As a host, you have a certain obligation to your guests that you shouldn’t take lightly.
Casper, Wyoming (PRWEB) June 10, 2014
Memorial Day weekend may be in the rearview mirror, but the following months will find citizens hosting neighborhood and family get-togethers of all shapes and sizes.
The problem is that many of these are likely to end with injuries or even fatalities if the hosts don’t take the proper precautions. Personal injury hazards can creep up slowly, and property owners who aren’t careful could find themselves at the center of a premises liability lawsuit.
The Ochs Law Firm wants to make sure that such incidents prove exceedingly rare. Inspired by a K2 Radio report from May 20 entitled “Casper Fire-EMS Urging Increased Outdoor Grill Safety,” Jason Ochs and the rest of his Wyoming personal injury team are offering insights that go beyond the dangers created by an improperly attended grill.
“As a host, you have a certain obligation to your guests that you shouldn’t take lightly,” said Mr. Ochs. “If your own oversights lead an individual to experience an injury on your property, the ensuing premises liability litigation can be costly, not just in terms of money, but in the irreconcilable dispute that can split friends and family apart. A few simple steps are enough to avoid a problematic situation.”
Citizens of Wyoming and all throughout the country should regard the following tips as their guide to avoiding injuries and subsequent legal action:
1. Pooled Resources- Those persons who have a pool on their property must have the necessary rescue equipment available. Keep an eye on the pool at all times, and ask your guests to supervise their children. Have life vests available for kids.
2. The Proper Deckorum- If a patio is getting up there in age, think about having a professional come out to inspect its stability. Or, if you’re confident in your own ability to judge the foundation, look out for widening cracks, excessive movement, and wood rot that could act as a prelude to disaster.
3. The Not-So-Great Outdoors- Many properties that cover acres upon acres of land could contain hazards that would be unrecognized by guests. If people are going to be exploring your land at length, be sure to delineate areas to stay clear of so that guests don’t unwittingly put themselves in danger.
4. Ticket To Ride- Should ATV riding be in the cards, make sure to lay out some ground rules. It’s safest to refrain from letting guests ride your ATVs altogether, but if the activity does take place, at least verify that guests have been properly trained. Double riding is a bad idea, and kids should not be allowed on the trip. Ask that guests stick to marked paths and stay away from anything deemed hazardous.
5. An Alcohol Problem- If someone has been drinking alcohol, they should be barred from riding ATVs, going for a swim, or engaging in any number of other activities that require a person to be in a sober state of mind.
6. To Protect, Don’t Serve- Similar to the above tips, hosts need to be careful about over-serving alcohol to individuals who are intent on driving home at the end of the night. If that individual ends up in an accident, it’s not unheard of for the person providing the alcohol to be held liable. Insist that designated drivers transport anyone who has had too much to drink.
Ochs Law is an award-winning practice recognized by such entities as the American Trial Lawyers Association, Super Lawyers, the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. With offices in Wyoming, California, and Colorado, the firm is able to offer representation to victims of personal injury accidents as well as assistance to persons going through divorce, filing class action lawsuits, defending against criminal accusations, and more. Interested parties can gain access to a free consultation service and a litany of litigation resources by clicking here.
The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisement or self-proclaimed expertise. The information provided herein should not be construed to be formal legal advice.