News4U August 2022

Page 60

NEWS4U AUGUST 2022 | LOCAL HAPPENINGS

Ask an Attorney

WITH LANE SIESKY / SIESKY LAW FIRM, PC

Focusing on personal injury, civil litigation, whistleblower claims and workers' compensation law, Siesky Law Firm strives to provide excellent legal services while remaining client and community centered. The Evansville-based trio of top attorneys - including Lane Siesky, Daniel Gearhart and Douglas Briody - boasts years of invaluable experience inside and outside the courtroom. Highly-respected with an impeccable track record, the firm's aggressive representation of its clients continues to benefit the community in myriad ways.

Q:

I am in the process of moving out of a large home with lots of big, heavy furniture - some of which is on the second floor. Some acquaintances of mine are interested in coming over and taking a couch and a few other pieces from the upstairs but I'm concerned about allowing them to move the furniture for fear

of an injury or some other issue that might result in a legal situation. Could I be sued if an accident occurred during the moving process? How should I properly handle this from a legal standpoint?

A:

Nobody I know likes to move. It is really nice that you

As a practical matter, we all do things like having friends over (yes, I do

have some friends willing to help you. However, you have

have friends). And, there are certain risks associated with these everyday

concerns about whether you can be held liable if one of

activities whether we take the time to think about them or not. A very

your friends is injured during the move. There are two main theories

common example is if you give a friend a ride. Suppose you accidently

or causes of action under which you could be sued under these

run a red light and cause an accident and your friend is injured. Your

circumstances.

friend may choose to sue you for his/her injuries and damages.

The first cause of action is if you are negligent. Negligence can be

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, it always make sense to

defined as an act in an unreasonable manner or failure to act in a

contact a personal injury lawyer for advice. Until next month, take care.

reasonable manner. So, if while your friends are moving furniture you give instructions that lead to an injury you may be sued for negligence and could be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.). The injured friend would have the burden of proving your negligence.

Disclaimer: The above information provided by Siesky Law Firm, PC, is not legal advice and should not be taken as legal advice. Application of the law is highly fact sensitive and readers should consult with an attorney on legal matters.

The second most common way you could be held liable in this scenario is under the theory of premise liability. Premise liability holds that you owe a duty to your invitees to maintain your home in a reasonably safe manner and free of unreasonably dangerous hazards. Here, for example, if your friend falls down your staircase and alleges that the staircase was not up-to-code and presented an unreasonable hazard you could be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.). Again, the injured friend would have the burden of proof.

58 | AUGUST 2022

• www.evansvillemediagroup.com

*This is an advertisement


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.