Liability for contractors on my property?

[carfish7]

So, I lied. It's my brother's property, but here's the deal.

He needs some trees cut down on his property. He has no insurance on said property. If a contractor falls out of the tree or lobs off a limb, can my bro be held liable? I told him I thought that the tree guy would carry his own coverage, and to make DAMN sure dude is licensed and insured. I also told him he's an idiot for having no insurance but that is another issue.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

Z (and his brother, E)

[murkat]

pretty much all contractors should be:

licsenced

Bonded

Insured

To be a "LEGAL" "contractor"....

some statutes will vary from state to state...

Must present papers at time of said contract,

make copies, etc.

I would think....

Angie's list?

[Bloozguy]

If a contractor falls out of the tree or lobs off a limb, can my bro be held liable?

make DAMN sure dude is licensed and insured.

I also told him he's an idiot for having no insurance but that is another issue.

Yes, he can be held liable.

As murkat said, don't even think of hiring anyone that is not licensed, bonded and insured...and demand to see proof before agreeing to any work.

Yes, he's an idiot for not having insurance. If a neighbor kid falls off his bike on his lawn he could get sued...

Remember, personal responsibility is a thing of the past.

[marcnorth]

I have to disagree. My father in law was a contractor for 60 years and his company held the responsibility for injuries to his workers, not the homeowners or business owners where we were working at the time if someone got injured. Just make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured in the state where the work is being done and he is responsible for his crew and any injuries to his crew. If it's property with a house on it I agree he's crazy for not having insurance on it. I'm sure it also varies state to state so check with your local government and I'm sure you can find out the answer.

I must be an idiot too, I have nine 1 acre lots in a subdivision that only has about ten houses built over the last seven years out of over a hundred lots and 40 acres of farm land with no insurance on them. The farm land is leased to a farmer who works it. I don't know if he has insurance or not. I never even thought about insurance on undeveloped land.

Angies List is based here in Indianapolis and is just like ebay, it sucks.

[carfish7]

Good info - thanks!

[rj2858]

My father in law was a contractor for 60 years and his company held the responsibility for injuries to his workers, not the homeowners or business owners where we were working at the time if someone got injured.

I must be an idiot too, I have nine 1 acre lots in a subdivision that only has about ten houses built over the last seven years out of over a hundred lots and 40 acres of farm land with no insurance on them. The farm land is leased to a farmer who works it. I don't know if he has insurance or not. I never even thought about insurance on undeveloped land.

Point 1) Your father-in-law did things right. Sadly, we don't live in that world (so much), anymore.

Point 2) Fix this as quickly as possible. Nothing bad may ever happen, but that's a hell of a lot of exposure.

[Bobby Marshall]

Marc's father-in-law was a peach. Everyone else is going to sue your brother.

I would find out who the contractor's insurance company is, independently find their phone number, and call to confirm coverage is current.