If you have a pond in your front yard are you liable if someone were to get hurt or drown?
Question:I am thinking of getting a pond in my front yard and it on a wide open street with no gate. If a little kid were to get hurt or fall in the pond would I be liable? What are the laws on this? Does anyone know? I live in Pittsburgh Pa. Thanks It would be just a tiny pond with between 15-30 gallons of water with about 2 fish in it not a big pond at all just something to decorate the front yard. Thanks for any responses!
Answers:
There may be a law that you have to have a gate around it similar to a swimming pool.
Better check your zoning laws. Ponds and pools maybe illegal in the front yard period.
And yes, you are always liable if someone hurts themself on your property, usually even if you didn't invite them onto your property, doesn't seem to matter.
Yes you are liable for anything on your property.
All you have to do is ask your building department and your insurance company and you will find plenty of liability to be had with a pond. Depends greatly on its depth though.
I wouldn't risk it without some sort of fence or barrier.
Not in this country.
well if ya live with in the city zoning you might wanna ask first to see if its legal dont know pitts zoning laws or what part your in i live in westmoreland county in the country and these are not really issues for us but its dont hurt to check befor you put it in and then have to take it out you may have to put up a fence around it
1. You must check with your city ordinances. Some cities require fences and locked gates around certain items.
2. You must check with your homeowner's insurance. Trampolines, ponds, etc. may be classified as "attractive nuisances" and if you install one you MUST make sure your policy covers this. You do not want to be sued and then find out your insurance doesn't cover it.
3. If everything checks out OK, build your pond and have fun with it! Some pond tips:
a. Your pond should be at least 18" deep to support fish.
b. Your pond needs water plants to help oxygenate the water and shade the fish. This also helps prevent algae.
c. Your pond needs an aerator--a bubbler or sprayer. This adds oxygen and combats algae.
d. Try to put your pond in half-sun, half-shade. This will help keep the water temperature stable and will keep algae from growing excessively.
e. All this sounds like a big bother, but if you do all of the above, your pond will require little maintenance.
yes, a pond is considered an "attractive nuisance". get an umbrella policy for about a million in coverage. these policies are cheap, about $125 for a year, and anyone suing you will settle for the amount of your policy.
yes!
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