Motherly Law

Pulling Permits: Doing it Right if You’re DIY

Design Choices

We stood for what seemed like hours looking at the choices. There were various sizes, designs and materials to choose from. I knew what I wanted, but still once we got it and began cutting that was it. Will didn't quite see my vision and was concerned about the cuts.

We did finally choose base boards for our dining room. Then began the process of measuring, cutting, fitting, re-cutting and fitting again, painting, etc. It was a long process. We got better at cutting trim for corners, but this was our first experience, and of course, we went big with it.

It's about twice the height of most trim and I think it makes the room. I love the way it turned out. It was a labor of love, as was picking out the paint colors for each room of the house, changing the light fixtures out to match our style and breathing new life into an old, dark breezeway. That's the beauty of doing it yourself.

Doing-It-Yourself

We're generally do-it-yourself kind of folks. And that isn't because we're experts in home repair/remodeling, it's because I think we're industrious and resourceful enough {notice the stress on I. I always have to convince Will of this fact}; and we don't have the extra money to spend for someone else to do the work. That is, until it goes beyond our "expertise."

There are a few things we don't mess with. We have hired real experts to put in new windows, repair the heating and air systems and we do call the plumber when the problem is beyond our limited knowledge.

And yet, I am pretty proud of the work we've done in our house; mostly painting, adding trim and putting in new flooring and other things of that nature. Of course, this was all accomplished pre-kids and the house is now in sore need of a refreshing coat. We did take the first step and have sanded our doors and trim in an attempt to propel ourselves into this project, although that is the extent of the second round of the house re-do, so far.

We'll get around to it again....eventually.

We aren't alone in the DIY camp. As the economy crunches down on Middle America many homeowners opt to remodel instead of sell and buy again. A simple or complex re-do or new-do to your home can increase the worth of your home when you do sell or can make you, the homeowner, more content when it comes to living in this space that has either become a tight space for your family or just deteriorated with your day-to-day living.

Permits

But do you know when you should "pull a permit"? And do you realize that not knowing this could land you in a heap of trouble? Yep, you could end up owing a ton in fines or even wind up in court over failing to get permits for certain construction/remodel jobs in your home.

The good news is that it's simple to stay on the right side of the law. Here's what you need to know:

What Projects Require a Permit?

1. It's always a good idea to check with your municipality, but generally projects that involve structural changes, demolition, electrical or plumbing changes, etc. require a permit.
2. Often, large projects like a kitchen remodel and the like require more than 1 permit for the whole project.

Why Bother Getting a Permit?

1. If you don't get a permit and you get caught, you could pay a large fine; which will cost you much more than the original permit would have cost.
2. If you didn't get a permit/have an inspection {and should have} and later have a need to file an insurance claim regarding that work, they may not pay the claim.
3. Failure to get permits may even risk insurance coverage/rates.
4. You may have trouble with an inspection when/if you try to sell your home.

When Should the Permit be Obtained?

1. The first thing to do, before beginning the project, is to obtain a permit.
2. If a contractor is performing the work, it's probably best to have the contractor pull the permit; some cities even require that.
3. Be sure to properly display the permit while the work is being performed.
4. If work is started without a permit and the city notices this, all work will be halted until a permit is obtained, and a fine will be assessed.

The best rule of thumb? When in doubt, always check. In this case, it's better safe than sorry. Knowing this information and following the law will save you time and money down the road, especially if the work is not up to code when an inspector comes through when you're trying to sell.

In the Name of Safety

The purpose behind requiring permits is safety. If you have a permit, the work must be inspected by a city official when completed in order to close the permit. This requirement insures that the work was done correctly and is up to Code. If it wasn't, it can be fixed right away before causing damage, which could potentially harm the inhabitants of the home and perhaps even neighbors, etc.

The Scoop

If you choose to ignore your local government's code, you will be breaking the law; and in the end your project will cost you much more than you anticipated. It may seem like a hassle to have to "pull permits" and pay the permit fee(s) and have an inspector come, but in the long run, you'll be glad you did. Over and out...

Anna

 

Child Obesity: What’s in the Child’s Best Interest?

Truly a Growing Problem?

I came across an interesting article earlier this week, and I'm not even sure what my opinion is regarding this matter. It has to do with weight. Weight is a touchy issue; very few of us, have never struggled with a weight issue, whether the issue was to lose weight or gain weight. At various times of my life I have been on both sides of this issue.

Let me also preface this subject by saying that I have tall, muscular, broad kids (both built like their daddy) who both tip the scales at the top of their age ranges; they also rank in the top of height percentiles, as well. In fact, at the last well-check of each Darling Boy the pediatrician explained that based on their weights alone, he was forced to check them off as "obese" for insurance purposes. This reporting is done anonymously in a large pool of all kids who have well-checks, based on specific ages.

My children are not obese for any other purpose (check out those sweet, skinny boys above & don't let the 3 year-old's pudgy cheeks fool you; he's the skinniest). I, of course, spoke up and argued this point. While my sons' pediatrician agreed with me, he told me that his hands were tied because this "mandatory" reporting is linked to insurance companies paying the doctors for their services to patients. He went on to tell me that every big, strong high school athlete he had recently seen for school physicals were also labeled as "obese" for the insurance reports.

Now, this makes me think twice when I see the reports of the high percentages of obese kids; and all of the reports, studies, groups and grants concerning this issue. At the same time, I know there are kids who are obese and who need to learn how to eat a nutritional, balanced diet and exercise on a daily basis. There are also kids who have a genetic predisposition to weight gain. And now for the story I read. Then, you can decide where you stand on this topic.

200 Pound Third Grader

This subtitle reads like a tabloid article, and you can just picture the photo running with the headline in the newsprint placed next to the bubble gum at the checkout counter, but this is sadly true. A boy in third grade weighing 200 pounds was removed from his mother's custody and placed with a foster family due to his weight related health issues. The mother had taken her son to a hospital last year when he started to have breathing problems; clearly, a concerned parent. It was determined that he has sleep apnea. At that time, the hospital enrolled him in program aimed at reducing his weight. Through that program, he was being monitored by social workers and had been losing some weight, but had recently begun to gain weight again.

When he started putting pounds on, the social workers asked a juvenile court to remove the boy from his mother's custody based on his obesity as a medical neglect issue. The boy's mother claimed that she was following the dietary guidelines provided by the hospital program and was doing her best to help her child.

Obesity as Neglect

This may seem extreme, but remember the court's duty is to do what is in a child's best interest. So, is this in the child's best interest? What if the child was severely underweight instead of grossly overweight? How would you feel about this issue then? If the child appeared to be starving, the court would remove the child in this instance too. The court must do its best to ensure that any child that comes to its attention has a clean, safe and healthy environment with adequate nutrition and direction in which to live and grow.

Clearly, this is an extreme case, but it has happened before. The article I read from ABC News cited a 90 pound 3 year old girl who was removed from her parents' home for two months due to her large size and inability to lose weight in her parent's care. She was returned to her parents when it was determined that she had a genetic predisposition and she did not lose any weight while in foster care despite following strict guidelines.

The Scoop

Are we going overboard on the subject of obese kids? Is obesity a legitimate cause for concern and reason to lose custody of your child, even temporarily? For me, this is hard question. How do you feel about this issue? No matter which way you view this story and others like it, it's very sad for the child and the parents involved. Over and out...

Anna

Legal Tails: Laws Protecting Animals and People

A Fear of Dogs

Years ago when living in Iowa, I remember being at a friend's home for a small gathering of new acquaintances. These friends had two dogs, one of which was at least part Pit-Bull Terrier if not full-blooded, and also one of the sweetest dogs you might encounter. I recall another friend there who it quickly became apparent was terrified of dogs. My friends apologized for having theirs out and put them in the basement away from the party.

The terrorized friend then related her story of being attacked by a friend's dog years earlier. This dog had never attacked anyone before, but had lunged at her, and she was severely injured and taken to the hospital. Her physical scars had healed, but her mental scars will probably never go away. If this had happened to me, I would probably have different feelings about dogs. When I see a dog that is powerful and intense, I think of her story.

In Reference to Yesterday's Post {It's easier if you just go read it: Animal House}

In yesterday's post I gave you a detailed account of my crazy chaotic household full of cats, dogs and kids. You now know how I feel about animals in general {I love them...in case you missed yesterday's article} and you know that my pets and kids mix and mingle and all equally share the home with us.

Yesterday I also shared two examples of when the mix of pets and kids goes awry with very disturbing facts and endings. A reader alerted me to another similar tragic incident that occurred just a few days prior to the 2 week baby being mauled by the family dog in Houston. This story comes from North Carolina. Five dogs were taken away after one or more of them attacked and killed a 9 day old baby girl. Among these dogs there is at least one Rottweiler and one Pit Bull Terrier. The authorities are also investigating that incident to determine whether criminal charges should be issued or whether this was simply a horrible tragedy.

These news stories are frightening and might be enough for some people to rush to conclusions about parenting styles or about having pets at all if kids are in the house. These stories are not meant to scare or threaten anyone. There are many wonderful reasons to expose kids to pets. They are simply a reminder that pets are animals and can be unpredictable at times. If we make sensible choices and err on the side of caution then most situations can be avoided.

It's important to realize there's a lot we don't know about the dog mauling cases: we don't know whether the dog(s) had been introduced to the infant through smells, etc., whether the parents knew or should have known reasons to keep the dog(s) and baby separated, whether the parents were negligent in failing to keep the two separated and whether the parents were diligent in their care of their infants. The investigations of these two terribly sad incidents will determine the answers to these and other questions in deciding whether to charge anyone with a crime. Regardless of any of these facts, two families have lost their tiny, innocent, brand new babies, and I doubt anything else matters to them at this time.

It's also important to note that none of the dogs have been sentenced to death at this point which probably indicates that none of the dogs have had any run-ins with the law before; meaning no previous reports of biting, etc., up-to-date vaccination records and current licenses. Once the investigations have ended, the fate of these dogs will also be determined. {By the way, the python from yesterday's scenario was spared and is in the custody of the state now. Given the fact that she was being starved to death by her owners having not been fed for over a month and was severely underweight she was not blamed for this death.}

Protecting Your Household and Others

These are things you should know already, but let this serve as a reminder. Again, we sometimes forget these basic requirements of pet ownership. In order to protect your pets, yourself and others, you must keep your pets' vaccines current, renew licenses and keep your pet in its cage, inside a fence, on a leash or whatever enclosure is appropriate for your pet.

If you don't have an umbrella insurance policy, you might look into getting one that would cover the defense and damages of an incident involving your pet and another outside of your household {Check with policy/insurance agent for details regarding coverage.}

It's also important to be familiar with the local, state and federal laws that apply to you and your pet, depending on the type of pet you have. Laws regulating pets are centered on three basic principles: public safety, public health and animal welfare. That is to say, it's the intent of the authorities to protect the public against brutal and often fatal attacks of the owner, members of the household or a member of the public; prevent the spread of diseases, often diseases that are not native to the U.S. or animals here; and put a stop to animal neglect and animal cruelty, which so very often occurs with exotic pet reserves, horse farms or puppy mills.

Local Laws

For the most part, if you have only domestic pets, rather than exotic pets, local ordinances basically provide for licensure and leash requirements and may limit numbers and size of animals, etc. Licensing will ensure that pets are being regularly vaccinated for rabies and any other required vaccines. Licensing also aids in tracking and identifying missing or found pets.

If you are new to a city or a new pet owner or both, be sure to check your local ordinances regarding pets.

Exotic Pets and Laws

If you have exotic pets, there are many other laws and regulations that will apply to you on local, state and federal levels. The definition of exotic pets varies from state to state. So, if you have any question whatsoever as to whether your pet is "exotic" and whether there are laws that apply to your pet, check your area's ordinances, statutes and regulations on all levels.

State Laws

Due to the level of concern over attacks by animals and animal neglect by the owners, more states have passed laws banning certain types of animals in the last decade or so. If you are considering getting an exotic pet, which this term can include some reptiles, fish and birds that may not seem exotic to you, be sure to check the law prior to getting your new pet. For a comprehensive guide to state laws regulating animals, check Born Free USA.

Federal Laws

There are a few federal laws that apply to pets, such as the Endangered Species Act and the Animal Welfare Act. For more information on these laws and current legislation regarding federal law and animals, check Born Free USA for their list of federal bills they are tracking, etc.

The Scoop

Overall, the message is this, know the law and follow the law for your sake, your pet's sake and for other's sake too in regards to pet licensing, vaccines and leashes, cages, fences, etc. Tomorrow I'll be discussing tips for keeping your kids safe around animals. Over and out...

Anna

 

Your Liability: Inflatable Bounce Houses

Torts

Negligence is defined as "the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation; any conduct that falls below the legal standard established to protect others against unreasonable risk of harm. Source: Black's Law Dictionary, 9^th Ed.

Now this takes me back to my 1^st semester of law school; Torts class with Professor Peter B Kutner. No, I don't mean the pastry kind of tortes. A tort is quite simply a civil wrong; a breach of duty owed to another. Torts are a big part of the first year of law school; one of the basic building blocks of law. Negligence is a tort.

When one is negligent in action {or inaction, as the case may be} and causes an injury to a person or property, one is liable to the one sustaining such injury. This is all simply put, and of course, each case is unique in circumstances, etc., but in general it's that simple.

What determines whether someone was negligent in a situation is the illusory reasonable person. The reasonable person is a hypothetical person used as a legal standard to determine whether someone acted in a negligent manner. The reasonable person acts sensibly, does things without serious delay and takes proper but not excessive precautions. Source: Black's Law Dictionary.

In my 1L {First Year of Law School} section we playfully imagined the prudent "Reasonable Person" as a super hero of sorts with a cape and a giant R on his chest running around doing sensible things. But in truth, the reasonable person is not mightier, smarter or better than everyone else, just always alert, always aware and always doing the "reasonable" thing in any given situation.

Liability Issues

When it comes to bounce house injuries and liability there is no sure answer as to whether someone would be liable if a person was injured in conjunction with the bounce house activity while attending a party at your home; or if a person was injured by you or your child while jumping in a bounce house elsewhere; or if you or a family member was injured at a bounce house business or at a private party, etc. Each case is unique and if a lawsuit was filed following an injury that case would be decided in a court of law based on the particular facts as applied to the law.

With that said, here are a few tips when it comes to negligence and liability and bounce houses:

• If you sign a waiver, you are accepting the risk associated with the activity itself, but you are NOT accepting the risk associated with a negligent act on the part of the business or someone associated with that business. You can still file a lawsuit if you are injured due to negligent maintenance, set up or management, etc. of the bounce houses, regardless of whether you signed a waiver;
• If a risk of danger or injury is obvious or should be obvious to a person using the premises and an injury occurs, that is generally not considered negligence;
• If an injury occurs in or around a bounce house, liability may lie with the operator of the bounce house, owner of the structure and/or business where it's located, the manufacturer and/or other jumpers or invitees, depending on the particular circumstances;
• If you rent a bounce house for your home, business or event do be sure to follow all rules provided to you and use reasonable caution in operating and monitoring the bounce house. If you follow all rules and closely monitor the usage of it while on your property and under your care, you will decrease the chance of injury and the chance that you are liable for any injuries;
• You should check to see if the operator or owner of the bounce house has insurance covering injuries. Also, if you are inviting people to your house to use a rented bounce house, check with your own insurance company covering your property. An umbrella policy could be useful in this circumstance, as well. Read more about umbrella insurance policies here in a past post;
• As a parent, it's your duty to protect your child. If you see something that seems dangerous feel that the structure is in ill repair or the operator is being unsafe or not monitoring the use of the structure, use reasonable judgment and remove your child from the bounce house; avoid injury, if possible; and
• Remember accidents do happen; not every injury is due to someone else's negligence.

The Scoop

So, in the end it's up to you to decide when it's safe and when it's not safe for your child to play in and around a bounce house. Many people have left comments here, on Twitter or on Facebook this week saying that they were just at a bounce house or are attending a party this week at a bounce structure business, etc. It's would be hard to avoid them altogether. They are at schools, at churches, almost all children's events have them and many birthday parties, large family gatherings and business activities for employees and families rent them.

Bounce structures are everywhere. The number of injuries sustained involving bounce houses continues to grow with their popularity. Is it simply a trend? Will bounce houses begin to go away, especially after the negative news stories of late involving injuries and catastrophe? We'll see, but for now, follow the rules, watch for unsafe conditions and monitor the situation while your kids are in the bounce structure. Over and out...

Anna

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*The photo is of a bounce structure I just happened on as I was driving yesterday. It's looks to be part bounce house/part slip and slide. Either way, you can see from the photo that it was not anchored to the ground, but merely sitting there.

** The information in this post is not in any way to be considered legal advice. Nothing in this article creates an attorney-client relationship.

 

Ready, Set, Jump: Bouncy House Safety

The Joy of Bouncing

What is it about jumping that brings such joy to kids? When Darling 1 was just a few weeks old he starting bouncing in my lap; he loved to bounce, bounce, bounce. Darling 1 was such a bouncer that we bought him a Tigger Halloween costume when he was 3 months old. Both the Boys still love to bounce whether it's at Skyzone on a trampoline, on a bed at home, or in a bouncy house.

Nearly every mid to large size town now has a inflatable bounce structure business that's all about jumping, climbing and sliding. These are prime birthday party locations; great indoor play areas when the weather is foul; and fun for the whole family. These structures have made appearances in thousands of yards for all kinds of celebrations; they're present at fairs, festivals and carnivals; and a sure thing at church events and school activities.

Safe Jumping

So, what's the big deal? It's fun to jump; the surfaces aren't hard or sharp; and the kids are safe, right? The answer is tricky. Lately, the seemingly innocent and fun bouncy structures have been getting a lot of bad press. A preliminary search quickly found these incidents: a gust of wind has picked up a bouncy house and flung it into a roof or several yards over or straight up in the air; kids summersault or fall or jump into each other; kids knock into people standing outside the bouncy structure; and kids are exposed to lead in the plastic of the bouncy house. In each of these accidents, people were killed or injured, some were catastrophic injuries.

A Collapsing Bouncy House

This past weekend, we attended a fun end of the summer party in the backyards of our friends and their neighbors who live behind them. Partygoers wandered back and forth. There was live music in one yard, food in one of the houses, drinks at both houses, and a bouncy house in one yard. The Boys immediately gravitated to the spectacular, Toy Story themed, giant bouncy structure. There was a slide, a basketball hoop and several "rooms" for jumping. We finally cajoled them to get out to come eat.

Later, when it was dark, they asked to go back to the bouncy house in the other yard. DH went with them and about 10 minutes later, I walked over to check on them. When I got past the shrubs that divide the yard, I heard Darling 2 crying and saw DH crawling in to find him. At that same time, I noticed the spotlight that had been trained on the bouncy house went out, along with other outside lights. I went around to the side where Darling 2 was to check that he was OK and with DH.

It was then I noticed the bouncy house was deflating... and quickly. Then, it dawned on me, the breaker had flipped with the bouncy house compressor, spotlight and outdoor lights all on; it was too much for the breaker. By this point, the kids were screaming because they realized it was coming down. I yelled to the people standing by the house to flip the breaker and get a flashlight. Since DH was in the bouncy house, he was able to grab our Boys and corral the rest of the kids and get out. He told me the kids were having a hard time trying to get out because the top was falling on them and the deflating floor had big sink holes and gaps in it and it was totally dark.

All the kids did get out {as well as DH}. No one was injured. But that was enough excitement for us. We were done with the bouncy house. And it made me start thinking about bouncy house safety. I had heard a few stories of the structures taking flight after a big gust of wind or on a windy day, but with just a little digging I found a lot more.

This week I'm going to be discussing the various dangers, liability issues and rules for staying safe when it comes to inflatable bouncy structures. Should you boycott them altogether? Well, that's up to you, but I know that I will for sure never rent one for my yard, and I will think twice before allowing my kids to jump in one. I'll be back with more tomorrow. Over and out...

Anna

When Insurance Fails: Resources for Free Vaccines

Insuring Nothing

If you have always had good insurance, it may have never crossed your mind about whether you could afford to take your child to the doctor when sick, go to well-check visits or get your child immunized. You just do it. That is how we were until January of this year when our insurance changed to a Health Savings Account. Then, we started monitoring when we should take the boys or ourselves to the doctor; how sick was sick enough to spend the money to go to the doctor.

One pediatrician visit for one of my Darling Boys this winter cost us over $250 just to determine he had strep throat. Then, in April, we had to go it alone and find our own insurance, which surprisingly enough, we found good insurance for a reasonable amount.

However, the truth is that with the economy going south and jobs being slashed more and more people do not have insurance or have insurance that barely covers anything. So, what would you do if you couldn't afford to have your child immunized and insurance didn't cover the costs?

Vaccines for Children

Have no fear; there is a federally-funded program that is administered through the states called, Vaccines for Children (VFC) that provides vaccines free of charge for children up to 18 years old to those who meet the eligibility requirements. In general, kids are eligible if they have no insurance, qualify for Medicaid, are underinsured or are American Indian or Alaska Native.

Vaccines for Children came about after a measles outbreak in the U.S. that began in 1989 and lasted until 1991, sickening thousands of people and killing hundreds. In response, as a part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) in 1993, Congress created Vaccines for Kids. Talk to your pediatrician about this program or check for your state's VFC site, or check your state's immunization site for more information.

The Scoop

You can get your child immunized regardless of your financial situation. It just takes a little research and documentation. Don't let the mighty dollar stand in your way of maintaining a healthy child. Over and out...

Anna

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Getting Stuck for a Sticker: Reasons to get Vaccines

To Vaccinate or Not: The Legal Requirements

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Accident-Prone: Insurance Coverage Above and Beyond; the Umbrella Policy

The Klutzes    

I am a klutz. My first sprained ankle occurred prior to the age of 4. I'm quite apt to open a cabinet door to retrieve something and then turn and ram my head into said cabinet door. I repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, knock the hell out of my knee when I attempt to get up from the dining table. I trip over nothing and everything and walk into door frames. I always have bumps and bruises all over my body. Yet I am continually surprised to find new bumps and bruises, and marvel at how they got there.

Don't even get me started on DH's long list of injuries caused by clumsiness. And the Darlings…well, you can imagine that the apple does not fall far from the tree in this instance. In fact, last night, just minutes away from going to bed, Darling 2 bent down to pick up a toy and smacked his poor head on the corner of their little play table. He had a blue egg on his forehead within seconds. He'll be fine, but to say our family is accident-prone is an understatement.

Litigious Society

Unfortunately, we live in a world where "accidents" rarely occur. Instead, terms like "negligent," "lawsuit," "personal injury," "liability" and "damages" are used when talking about incidents. Certainly there are times when a person is negligent in his or her actions or a company ignores reports or warnings and allows faulty or dangerous products to be sold, etc. However, there are other instances when an accident is just an accident, such as the case of the 4 year old riding her bike on a sidewalk and accidentally colliding with an elderly lady.

In our litigious society, the best defense in avoiding having to hand over your life savings should someone be injured or sustain property damage by your action or on your property is to have adequate insurance. I don't happen to have hoards of cash sitting around in case, God forbid, someone is injured by me, my family, my pets or on my property, but my insurance company has got my back in the event of such an occurrence.

Insurance Coverage

If you own a home, you have a homeowner's policy which generally covers attorney fees, court costs, medical expenses and settlements should a claim be brought against you for property damage or bodily injury to another. If you rent, you could (& should) have renter's insurance, and this policy usually covers such injury related costs as well. If you own a vehicle, you have insurance covering that vehicle and the operation of that vehicle, and again, many of the costs associated with injuries to others and damage to another's property are covered in that policy. However, many times the limits on those policies are not enough to cover all of these expenses. In that case, an umbrella policy could kick in.

Umbrella Policies

An aptly named umbrella policy covers the policy-holder above and beyond the limits of other policies. Umbrella policies are often misunderstood. Many people think they are too expensive; not necessary unless you are ultra-rich; too complicated or confusing; and some people simply don't know about these types of policies.

Here are examples of the types of coverages provided by an umbrella policy and how they protect you, as a policy-holder:

Bodily Injury Liability – covers the cost of damages to another person's body. Examples include the cost of medical bills and/or liability claims as a result of:

• injuries to other parties due to a serious auto accident where you are at fault,
• harm caused to others as a result of your dog
• injuries sustained by a guest in your home due to a fall, or
• injuries sustained by a neighbor's child who falls while playing in your yard.

Property Damage Liability – covers the cost of damage or loss to another person's tangible property. Examples include the cost associated with:

• damage to vehicles and other property as a result of an auto accident where you are at fault,
• damage claims incurred when your pet rips a friend's priceless oriental rug to shreds, or
• accidental damage to school property caused by your child.

Owners of Rental Units – protects against liability that you may face as a landlord. Examples include the cost of liability claims as a result of:

• someone tripping over a crack in the sidewalk of your rental property and suing you for damages, or
• your tenant's dog biting someone and you being held responsible for the injuries.

Coverage is also provided should you be sued for:

• slander – injurious spoken statement,
• libel – injurious written statement,
• false arrest, detention, or imprisonment,
• malicious prosecution,
• shock/mental anguish, and
• other personal liability situations.

Source: Geico.com

Umbrella policies are sold in increments of $1 million dollars, with a maximum of $10 million, typically. So, if an insured has an auto insurance policy with liability limits of $500,000 and a homeowner's insurance policy with a limit of $300,000, then with a million dollar umbrella, the insured's limits become in effect, $1,500,000 on an auto liability claim and $1,300,000 on a homeowners liability claim. In addition, the insured won't have to worry about legal fees and court costs.

You might think that such a policy would cost an arm and a leg, but alas it's quite affordable. What's expensive is what you have to pay should you be embroiled in a lawsuit and not have an umbrella policy. Umbrella policy premiums usually start at $200 to $300 per year for $1 million in coverage.

If you are interested in purchasing an umbrella policy or finding out more information, as it pertains to you, contact your insurance agent. Your agent will be able to guide you through the process of deciding what amount is right for you.

Tips for Avoiding Injuries that Lead to Lawsuits

Once you are sufficiently covered by insurance, there are ways to try to prevent injuries from happening on your own property. Here are a few considerations:

• Make sure all steps and/or stairs are clean, clear and in good condition;
• Be sure to remove snow and/or ice from steps, sidewalks, driveways, etc.;
• If you have pets, keep them current on vaccines and be sure to keep them on leashes and/or behind sturdy fences;
• If you have a trampoline and/or pool in your yard, put up a fence and/or gate or other safety features to ensure that children do not fall into the pool or off the trampoline; and
• Regularly inspect your trees for dead branches or branches that hang over into a neighbor's yard;
• Keep all guns and other weapons unloaded and locked away at all times.

   

Click here for a list of additional ways to avoid a personal injury lawsuit .

The Scoop

Sometimes accidents can't be avoided, no matter how careful you are. Therefore, it's important to have appropriate coverage. The appropriate amount will be different for everyone, depending on where you live; whether you own or rent; whether you own a vehicle; how much income and other assets you have, among other things.

If you ever have any questions about your insurance policies, be sure to call your insurance agent. I happen to have an awesome agent; someone you want to hang out with; go to dinner with; go shopping with. It's like calling a friend to ask a question when I call our agent. It's easy for us to call and check on something or discuss our policies with her, and it should be for you too. An insurance agent is there to ensure that you are well represented should disaster strike.

Now go check your insurance policies. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice. Over and out…

Anna

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