Do I Owe My Neighbor?

Question

I had tree to fall on my property during a storm. After the storm was over, I was cutting up the tree. My neighbor walks over to lend a hand and a tree branch falls onto him and he gets rush to the hospital by ambulance. Now my neighbor wants me to pay for all of his hospital bill and ect. I did not ask the neighbor to come over for help. I just feel that my neighbor was at will. He should have known the risk of injury when he walked over to my house, especially when he pulled the branch on top of himself. By law, do I owe to pay my neighbor's injuries?

Josh · Accepted Answer

not at all.

The Tall Cool One · Answer

You do not owe your neighbor anything until a court orders you to pay him.

Is the property insured for liability ?

If it is then report it to them in writing at once.

If he contacts you again then refer him to your insurance company. They are required to defend you and pay out any court award. In practice they would settle with him to dispose of the case.

The amount they pay is based on what they predict a court would decide, less a considerable amount in exchange for speedy payment.

If you are not insured then you have to decide how much you want to offer him or how much you will pay an attorney to defend you.

If you decide to pay him any money get a signed release from him so he will not sue you in the future.

What would actually happen if he did sue you depends on the actual law and case precedent where you live and how both sides are presented. 

I hope it works out for you.

johnjanetl · Answer

Unfortunately, you are liable.  I know it sounds obsurd, but he was injured on your property.  Like the person above said, even if he just tripped and fell while on your property, you can still be held responsible.  Even if a person fell off your roof, even if a person slipped on your driveway on snow or ice, you can still be held liable.  

Your homeowners insurance will cover his medical expenses.  I dont think its right at all, but that is the way it works.

Sometimes it might not even be his intent to have you pay his bills, but if he lets his medical insurance know that the accident was on your property, his insurance will refuse to pay for his bills because your homeowners insurance is deemed the one to pay out.

Anonymous · Answer

This sounds like something your property insurance should cover. Even if an uninvited salesman came up to your door and got hurt, you would be responsible. You might want to contact your insurance Co. and see what they say.

Uncle Pennybags · Answer

Basically, unless you were negligent somehow about maintaining your property, you shouldn't be liable.  If he jumped off your roof, should you be liable for his broken leg because it was your roof he jumped off on.

Still, he was trying to do you a favor.  I'd suggest saying you'll split the co-pays and deductibles with him.

hihihi · Answer

i dont know about by law, but u shouldnt have to. wow ur neighbor is asking u 2 pay him?!?! GET OUT!! man, ppl like that piss me off!! best of luck :]

EDIT: if he makes u pay, u could say that he came over and u told him not to. that would serve him.

Jacob C · Answer

**** NO! that guys injury was 95% his fault and he wants you to pay? no!@! tell him, i ain't paying, and if he threatens to take you to court he will just end up wasting his money on a lawyer that will screw him over in the end

Bendm-ronaldo · Answer

no because his on your property you didnt touch or try to make the branch in anyway fall on him so no you don't have to

Sweetharttt · Answer

He was injured on your property and your homeowner's insurance should cover his medical bills.

Anonymous · Answer

No that is legally an "act of God"  which you had no control or fault in.

Anonymous · Answer

i dont know if the law says you have to but i think that it would be stupid if you had to pay

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Do I Owe My Neighbor?

17 Answers