Thread: A Fear of Uneven Ground

Tweet

As most of you know, this year my husband and I have decided to transform our usual yard haunt into a haunted house under our carport and a little bit on our driveway. The problem is that as is typical with the Texas heat, the ground has shifted and our driveway has some problems with cracks in the cement and places where the the cement is uneven like where the driveway meets the sidewalk. My husband says that everything will be fine as long as we post a sign warning people to be careful where they walk, but I have nightmares about someone tripping and falling, and then sueing us. (We don't have a lot, but I would really like to keep what we have!)

I've checked with our homeowner's insurance, and was told that we would have to take out a separate, very expensive policy for that one night to be covered, which is NOT going to happen.

I thought of trying to fill the cracks and level the low spots using play sand, but then I worry about people slipping, especially since our driveway has a 30% slope to it!

Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do to minimize this possibilty of my nighmares coming true, short of pouring an entire new driveway? I know that there are a lot of big time haunters out there who might have had to deal with this before, and I would love to get any suggestions you could offer.

I have the same problem with my backyard...but I also agree that you should post warning signs and people entering at their own risks. Might not hurt to check up with your home owners insurance to make sure it covers things like that....just in case.

Otherwise, short from filling in with cement, or getting a whole new driveway, you might be better not using it at all if you are really so concerned.

I seriously can't even believe the world has come to this. I graciously invite you onto property for your scareing pleasure, you accept said invitation, fall cuz you're clumsy and come back and sue me?!

Crazy world we live in....

anyone throwing out carpet around you? or put up a sign not responsible for accidents like they do at garage sales

It is sad, but you have to watch your back these days. Can you build ramps over the uneven parts?
We had someone trip on the curb and fell into the yard. They sued our homeowners insurance. They won. It was a bogus lawsuit ,but insurance company would not fight it. The next year I handed out candy at the foot of the driveway.

Good Luck with the Haunt.

that's awful. people are so sue happy nowdays. anything to make a buck. don't people have morals anymore?

Originally Posted by creepingdth

that's awful. people are so sue happy nowdays. anything to make a buck. don't people have morals anymore?

I agree with that statement! It is called allstate-itis! Home and auto it is all the same thing now. But if we tried to sue someone we would never win!

Originally Posted by zom13ie

I agree with that statement! It is called allstate-itis! Home and auto it is all the same thing now. But if we tried to sue someone we would never win!

No joke! and when someone makes a claim if they're hurt at your haunt, the home owner's insurance company will drop ya afterwards. It is a SAD world we live in so scare them all real good while we can.

Originally Posted by mommyto3

I seriously can't even believe the world has come to this. I graciously invite you onto property for your scareing pleasure, you accept said invitation, fall cuz you're clumsy and come back and sue me?!

Crazy world we live in....

I get what you mean, but you have to remember that the fall can come not from THEIR clumsiness, but from YOUR neglect in providing a safe path to walk. You want to avoid knowingly putting people at risk because one fall injury can screw up a person for life. If you mix an uneven path with people in costumes, often challenged by poor sight through masks, long robes, odd shoes, low lighting, and you have the makings for a disaster. It's up to YOU to provide a safe pathway. If you can't, one thing to do is channel people around bad spots to safe spots. You have control over where the path leads them. And if you can't provide a safe path, then the best thing to do is NOT do a walk through haunt. Because as sure as anything, someone WILL eventually trip and fall. And they may leave your property with a smile and be lighthearted about it, until a few days later when back pain or their neck or that knot on their head makes them visit a doctor. Expenses incurred. More expenses incurred. And then, as sure as anything, the lawsuit.

It sucks. People are sew happy. Don't give them a reason to sew you. And you can accomplish that with careful planning, and still have a haunt. But if it's not possible, avoid the risk.

Dan

WOW! I'm more nervous that ever, but I absolutely understand what you are saying. I just hate that people can't just enjoy the fun of the haunt and not turn it into something ugly.

I liked your suggestion of using old carpet, and I will keep my eyes open. Maybe by laying plywood down over the bad spots and then carpet over that, there won't be anything to trip over.