Neighbor's Property Damage Blame Game Turns Legal: Unexpected Twist Revealed
Hmmm… Have you ever wondered, as the storm clouds are gathering, if your garden trampoline would like to take a little trip of it’s own? Apparently, one neighbor didn’t, and oh boy, did his trampoline ever have other plans! Karma, with a little legal twist, you might say!
You see, during a storm, many of us rush around securing garden furniture or parking cars in safer spots. But let’s ponder a moment this peculiar item – the backyard trampoline. It’s like a ship ready to set sail on the windiest of seas if not properly tethered down. This here isn’t just about the weather; it’s about responsibility (or the lack thereof!) and the unexpected consequences of flying objects during Mother Nature’s playtime. What does a flying trampoline raining havoc upon the neighborhood teach us?
Oh, let’s not get too bogged down in the moral though… here’s where it gets fun, hilarious even! Turns out our story’s trampoline enthusiast got a lesson in liability courtesy of their attorney neighbor! Now, imagine this scene – one guy’s trampoline, once a haven for joyful bouncing, now embarks on an uncharted journey, crashing like an uninvited guest into his neighbor’s property. Not just damaging some shrubbery, mind you, but causing thousands in damages! And then, the owner tries to dodge the accountability faster than a lawyer at a free lunch seminar!
But you know what? Even the most cunning of us can get caught out. This lawyer neighbor did what lawyers do best. Instead of throwing a tantrum or sending angry letters, he simply took the legal path. And the trampoline owner’s attempts to avoid compensation (probably citing some act of God clause) backfired magnificently. Because, as it turns out, the storm didn’t make the trampoline fly, human negligence did!
It’s a lesson in more ways than one. Here’s a thought-prooking question for ya – When the storm hits, and your belongings might take flight, who covers the damage?
Hint: It should be you, not Mother Nature. And certainly not your neighbor! LEARN MORE
Before a storm, it’s important to protect yourself and your belongings, as it can pose significant safety risks to people and cause damage to homes and properties. The usual recommendations are to stay updated on weather forecasts, stay indoors if possible, and secure items that could be blown away or wrecked by the wind.
However, this man failed to do the latter, and his trampoline flew over to a neighbor’s property, costing thousands of dollars in damages. He tried to avoid paying the compensation he owed but couldn’t, as the nearby resident was a lawyer and knew exactly what to do in such a situation.
It’s important to protect yourself and your belongings during a storm
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
This man failed to do so, which cost him thousands of dollars
Image credits: pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Evillawyer2010
The original poster even shared video footage of the flying trampoline:
“Some trampolines can be very dangerous and even some smaller trampolines you see in people’s backyards can be 100-plus kilos”
All belongings should be secured or put somewhere safe during a storm, especially trampolines, as they have a large surface area, which makes them highly susceptible to flying away in high winds. When their owners fail to do this, they can end up entangled in power lines, train tracks, and neighbors’ yards, creating dangerous situations.
“Some trampolines can be very dangerous and even some smaller trampolines you see in people’s backyards can be 100-plus kilos,” said State Emergency Service (SES) southern zone commander Ben Pickup. “They literally become an airborne missile which can cause damage to your property, to your neighbours and, if it goes into people or powerlines, it has the potential to cause a lot of injuries.”
However, all of this can be easily prevented. It’s best to have it always secured, as storms may come at random times, or there might not be enough time for you to take the necessary precautions before severe weather.
Ideally, it would be safest to move the trampoline to a sheltered area or disassemble it to prolong its lifespan. In case that’s not possible, the next best thing would be to at least remove safety netting and poles, as they can act like sails and increase the chances of it flying away. Or move it to a location where it’s less exposed to the wind. If that’s also not possible, the trampoline should be tied down to the ground as firmly as possible.
For this purpose, there are tether kits that help to secure it to the ground. Usually, they include metal stakes and straps that provide enough stability for the trampoline to not fly away. Another option is to place two 20-kg sandbags over each U-shaped leg of the trampoline. Unfortunately, they can move easily in rough, windy conditions, which means that they aren’t foolproof.
