Did you know that you can be held legally liable if someone is hurt in your home? That’s right, even if you did not purposefully or maliciously hurt someone, you could find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit if an accident occurs in your house.
According to Iowa premises liability law, homeowners have a duty to maintain a certain level of maintenance and security. Individuals who suffer a home personal injury Iowa because of the property owner’s failure to meet this expected amount of care can sue. Whether or not they win depends on if certain conditions are met (or not met). If a guest gets hurt in your home, it is important not to panic and to take action.
1. Provide Medical Attention
Assess the severity of your visitor’s injury. If necessary, call an ambulance, providing what first aid care you can until it arrives. If this is deemed unnecessary, perform basic treatment and drive the person to the hospital.
2. Obtain Documentation of the Area
Write down what happened and obtain statements from any witnesses. Record or photograph the scene and any objects involved in the incident. Documentation is important for filing an insurance claim and for fighting against a lawsuit if you end up in court.
3. Contact the Necessary People
Premises liability accidents are usually covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. Notify your indemnifier of what has occurred as soon as possible. They will give you instructions for the next steps you should take, including filing a claim. You should also begin searching for an attorney if you don’t already have one.
While it can be stressful when a person gets hurt in front of you, and doubly so when it happens in your home, it is important to remain calm. By doing so and taking action immediately, you can mitigate the damage done.