Those who wander onto another person’s property on Halloween night in search of candy could slip, trip or otherwise hurt themselves. Homeowners in Georgia and throughout the country may be liable for paying damages to injured victims. However, there are steps that an individual can take to minimize the possibility that an accident occurs on his or her property. For instance, it can be a good idea to make sure that extension cords aren’t in a visitor’s path.
Individuals who allow children to take candy from them should be sure that it is free of nuts or other allergens. Those who do hand out candy with nuts should warn a child or a child’s parents before doing so. Other steps that can potentially prevent a person form getting hurt include keeping a walkway clear and keeping a dog on a leash. It may also be a good idea to forego strobe lights or fog as it might trigger negative reactions from guests who have epilepsy or asthma.
Property owners can minimize the chances of an injury or causing damage to their homes by using artificial candles in their pumpkins instead of a lit flame. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there was $114 million in property damage caused by flammable decorations in 2016.
If a property owner knows of a hazardous condition and does nothing to fix it, that person could be held liable for another person’s injuries. An attorney may use pictures, videos or other lines of evidence to show that a dangerous condition existed and that a homeowner should have taken steps to mitigate it. Failure to do so is generally considered to be an act of negligence. A victim may obtain compensation through a negotiated settlement or through a jury award.