Thread: Liability Issues?

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I live in an older home that is built on a basement foundation. The steps to the porch are tall and steep but the porch itself is enclosed. I am thinking about making a sign that says, "BEWARE OF THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS" and adding some blinkies and sound effects. There will be a Headless Horseman to greet them on the porch (I can't pass that up, I have two very dark mahogany bay horses that I call the Nightmare and the Demon Stallion for Halloween). Anyway, I think about things like somebody getting scared and falling of the steps even if I use lights to define the path. Has anyone ever been hurt on your property because they were frightened by a prop? Have you been threatened by a lawsuit or asked to pay damages? Would it freak out your homeowners' insurance if it happened?

While I've never had anyone get hurt/injured, I've had people fall down after being scared. Our final garage scene is designed with some startling scares and on a few occassions folks have either fallen backward while reacting to a scare, or simply tripped themselves up if in a group. Thus far it's all been taken in context and no one has ever threatened litigation. I think your home owners ins. would cover something like this, unless you physically caused someone to fall. Probably something to take up with your insurance agent.

We've never had any experience with the types of questions you've raised here, Madame Turlock, but you are very wise for considering these circumstances...it seems that more and more people are just looking for the chance to sue these days- ridiculous...

But the ideas you have for haunting sound fantastic!!! Why, I would LOVE to come across a house like yours at Halloween, so much FUN it would be!! 'BEWARE THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS', yep that is a very cool idea! (I remember watching the movie several years back.. )

Originally Posted by Laurie S.

We've never had any experience with the types of questions you've raised here, Madame Turlock, but you are very wise for considering these circumstances...it seems that more and more people are just looking for the chance to sue these days- ridiculous...

But the ideas you have for haunting sound fantastic!!! Why, I would LOVE to come across a house like yours at Halloween, so much FUN it would be!! 'BEWARE THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS', yep that is a very cool idea! (I remember watching the movie several years back.. )

What would we do without a broad-base of movies to energize the creative side of our mind. I guess we would have to have original ideas (ouch...that might be painful). Enjoy you day at the forum.

As long as the area is decently lit, you should be okay. Also, place the horses a little further away from the actual entrance. Try not to scare them right on the edge of the steps.
You should be fine.

Originally Posted by Shadow Mistress

As long as the area is decently lit, you should be okay. Also, place the horses a little further away from the actual entrance. Try not to scare them right on the edge of the steps.
You should be fine.

Make sure you have a nice sturdy hand rail also. It could not hurt. Your front porch sounds a bit like mine, except I have no front yard (what do expect in a 120 odd year old house). So I haunt a friends yard that is relatively flat. I have toyed with the idea of adding his garage, but we don't get enough TOTs as it is.

Your general liability should cover (same as if someone came on your property and tripped over landscaping.) As long as you didn't physically cause (by pushing, tripping, etc.) the accident, then you should be o.k.

I love the creature-under-the-stairs idea btw. Add some thumping, growling &/or moaning, and you'll be lucky if anyone wants to come up to your door!

I sue you, you sue me, isn’t so nice we live in such a PC world!

Call me foolish but consider maybe a sign at the entrance to your property lettered in dripping blood that says "Beware Enter Under Your Own Risk!"

You know as that type of sign might be a good idea. I have some attorney friends...I think I'll ask them for some good language to use.

Originally Posted by Dragon

Make sure you have a nice sturdy hand rail also. It could not hurt. Your front porch sounds a bit like mine, except I have no front yard (what do expect in a 120 odd year old house). So I haunt a friends yard that is relatively flat. I have toyed with the idea of adding his garage, but we don't get enough TOTs as it is.

I love old homes. Ours was built in 1936. It is a traditional Cape Cod but I would have a Victorian if there were any in our area. It is built on flat land. Sometimes it's good, but I love the look of rock and terraced gardens. Don't you love the creaking sounds you get with an old house?