Texas law question. We own a treadmill that still works, but has started to smell like the motor is burning?

Question

during use. Rather than take it to have it fixed, we are wanting to throw it out and buy a new one. My question is this. If we put it out by the road and someone picks it up and takes it home and uses it and it catches on fire and does property damage or injures someone, would we somehow be liable for it? Once it is "trashed", is it a take at your own risk type thing or how does this work.

Answer 1

I do live in TX too. In my city there is a phone number you can call and they come and collect bulky unwanted stuff, or call goodwill or Salvation army, they will take care of it for no charge.

Answer 2

Here is something you haven't considered.

Let's say you put it out for garbage pickup. Let's say neighborhood kid finds it and plays with it. Now he/she falls and get hurt.

This is YOUR liability as it occurred at your property. It may even be considered an attractive nuisance.

What I would do is, either donate it to a charity where they can fix it and sell it, or destroy it to a point where it is not easily usable. (ie remove the motor, remove the belt)

You'll never know what will happen if you leave it to chance.

Answer 3

The burning is probably friction on the rubber drive belt, and nothing that will catch fire.

If you put a sign on it that says "free", you may leave the door open, but if you just abandon it, there is no way they can come back to you.

The safest thing to do is put it in the same place you would put your garbage.

Answer 4

If you dumped a car off at the dump and somebody killed themself trying to drive it, it's their fault. If you get rid of it, it's not your responsibility anymore. It's not like you're trying to sell it, you're giving it away.