New home developments can raise premises liability issues

These days, it seems like new houses in New York are built faster and faster. And the moment families are allowed to move in, they are often eager to do landscaping and put their personal touches on their new home. Unfortunately, however, the hastiness on the part of building and cleanup crews to finish construction projects on deadline may result in unsafe properties for new homeowners and serious premises liability concerns. One homeowner was recovering in the hospital recently after sustaining a potentially fatal injury while doing simple yard work.

The Texas man was treated in the hospital after requiring emergency medical care and surgery for a nail that reportedly punctured his chest after being caught by the lawnmower the man was using to cut down weeds that were growing near his home. The man is a retired combat medic with the U. S. Army, and he and his wife were luckily able to address his injury before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

The weeds that the homeowner was cutting were on undeveloped land adjacent to his property, and it is believed that the nail that injured the man was left over from the recent construction of the housing development he and his wife lived in. According to the accident victim’s wife, his injuries could have been much more serious if the nail had struck him in a different area of his chest.

When determining who, if anyone is liable for these types of premises liability injuries, it is always recommended that individuals seek the advice and legal counsel of an experienced attorney.

Source: abclocal.go.com, “Man recovering after freak lawn-mowing accident,” Kevin Quinn, April 18, 2014