Last winter I cleared the snow from my garden path and the area of pavement outside the front of my house. I did this partly for my own sake but also because I used to clear the pavement when I lived in Northern Germany where winter's like this are not uncommon. However, at least three people have told me to not clear the pavement as people could "sue" me.
Is this true? I find it difficult to believe that to be the case and if it is true what a sad and pathetic society we live in.
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I think the argument goes like this:
It's not his fault that the snow fell, so he wouldn't be to blame if someone slipped on the snow.
Once he decided to clear the snow, he took responsibility for changing the natural phenomenon, so he took on board the risk associated with that change.
I don't know if that's exactly what a lawyer would say, but it's what I think would be the argument
I hope a judge would throw that garbage out, but you never know. I agree with you, VFR, but there you go.
In essence you are fine if you leave it in a "natural state" as it is deemed "act of God" but once you interfere with the natural state you leave yourself open.
Sad but true.
I was this time last week....
In places like Germany where it snows all the time, I think they change the blame around. Snow isn't an 'act of God', it's something that happens all the time, and it would be negligent not to clear it.
The law differs elsewhere in the world but this appears to be the position in the UK (or England and Wales at least).
http://ezinearticles.com/?Clearing-Snow-Outside-Your-Home-Could-Result-in-Compensation-Claims-For-Liability-Against-You&id=3542962
Rural people are atheists?
Anyone who slips over in the snow and ice and wants to sue anyone because of it should be locked up. FACT.
The council or freeholder is responsible for the pathways, roads etc.
The fact that councils like Bexley choose to ignore this fact, take a gamble that people will not take them to court if they slip/ have a fall.
People have to take resonable care* ( whatever that means) but try walking around Rome and looking at the appauling state of the streets/pavements etc.
I was there a couple of weeks ago with a mate who is in charge of highways for a leading council and he was amazed at the poor upkeep!
So the sensible response is when in Rome,...... keep your eyes open, and accept some personnal responsability.
If i fell over, and the council had made no attempt at all, to clear the main footpaths, I would issue a court action, unlike most I would pursue it....
This link effectively confirms what I've said above but makes the additional point that it could be difficult for any would be plaintiff to prove maliciousness or carelessness.
However do you really want to take the risk of exposing yourself to legal action?
My attitude to all this changed years ago when I saw an elderly neighbour waiting at a bus stop in the rain and offered her a lift which she accepted. Later in the journey a car drove into the back of me whilst I was stationary at a roundabout. The son of this lady wrote me two snotty letters threatening to sue ME for personal injury to his mother even though nobody else had suggested the accident was my fault.
Doing a good turn caused me a lot of needless stress and I have some legal knowledge but would not profess to be an expert.
I am no longer so willing to help people out after that experience and certainly would not clear my pavements as I have neighbours that are the type to "try it on."
Remembering my time in Germany, the clearing of the street was like a community exercise, neighbours helped each other out.
A couple of people thanked me, one person said well done while I was clearing the pavement.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868
So please ignore the scare stories. They're usually started by lawyers who don't know anything about Health & Safety.
Get shoveling or else!
Having said that, have just been out clearing a path outside my front door and am now completely fucked. Mind you, I do live in a 10 bed mansion with a fifty foot drive!
That would make a good story line for a film.
Maybe Billy Connelly would like to be in it? ; )
Make sure if you're driving tomorrow you brush off your roof & if you're walking make sure your bobble hat isn't packing a snow drift.
Twice this week I have faced an avalanche from car roofs with over a foot of snow on them. Its been like a massive snowball hitting you at 30 plus mph
The number of drivers who just clear the front windscreen is also worrying,
Just how bone idle and selfish are some drivers?