If someone cuts themselves going through your trash at the curb at your house, is the homeowner liable?

Answer 1

No. Courts have held that the garbage no longer belongs to you once you discard it. Serves them right I'd say.

Answer 2

I don't know man, good question. Though you probably won't be held liable, I have heard of some off the wall things happening. For instance, I heard about a guy that lives close to me that had a pond, and some guys were on his property in a boat and drowned to death. Even though it was private property and he didn't know the guys were there he got sued because he didn't have a dock for the boat. Stupid. I know, but that's how our government works now days, it's not right i don't think. I mean especially since the guys were "trespassing" on his land. I'm not sure if the guy lost the case or not, so it could have gotten overturned in court. I would imagine it got overuled, but you never know.

Answer 3

As long as it was the trash that caused the injury, probably not. If the person cut themselves on your trash can or a fence or something not trash, there could be some liability issues, but not likely.

Answer 4

Nope - you had no duty to protect or warn them.

Ownership is irrelevant. Example: you could abandon your fridge when it falls off the truck on the highway, calling it trash, and you would still be liable when someone hits it becasue you created a dangerous condition when you had a duty not to.

Answer 5

nope. because once its on the curb , its considered public property (which is why police can actually go through your trash without a warrant, once its out on the curb)

Answer 6

Do this. Tell the idiot to sue you. When he does, counterclaim for trespass. This assumes that the trash was actually ON your property.

Answer 7

No, it is reasonable to assume there may be broken or hazardous items in a trash can.

Answer 8

no