What to Know About Attractive Nuisances

Attractive nuisances are hazards that can be found on a property, but their hazardousness is not as obvious to some people. When we are talking about some people, we are often talking about children. These attractive nuisances could get the attention of a child, tempting them into trespassing onto someone else’s property and getting injured. If your child gets hurt on someone else’s property, you may be able to sue for damages even if they were not invited onto that property. A Darlington County, South Carolina slip and fall lawyer can help you figure out if you have a case.

What Could Be Considered Attractive Nuisances?

There are plenty of hazards that can be considered attractive nuisances. Some common ones include:

• Trampolines
• Swimming pools
• Wells
• Machinery, like lawn equipment
• Fountains
• Scaffolding
• Dangerous animals

Think back to when you were a child. If you saw any of these things, they would probably pique your interest. Children do not think of danger in the same way that adults do. If they see something that looks cool, they may go to check it out. This is true even if that means trespassing, which is why property owners need to make efforts to keep their own land free from any attractive nuisances.

Which Hazards Are Not Typically Considered Attractive Nuisances?

There are also some hazards that are sometimes mistaken for attractive nuisances but are not actually considered to be them. If your child was harmed by one of these things it would probably be harder to pursue a personal injury case:

• Ponds or lakes
• Cliffs
• Sharp objects
• Open pits
• Fire
• Poison
• A wild or domesticated animal

Generally, these are hazards that even a child should understand the danger of. Another issue is that many of these cannot really be addressed by a property owner.

How Can I Show That a Property Was Dangerous?

If your child was hurt on someone else’s property, showing that the owner made no efforts to protect people from attractive nuisances could be a good way to show that they should be held responsible for the injuries caused. You may be able to collect photographic evidence that shows:

• The gate for the pool has no lock
• There is no fencing around a trampoline
• It is easy to climb onto the roof or scaffolding
• Lawn equipment is left out unattended
• A treehouse is easy to access
• Animals are allowed to roam the property freely

In many cases, simply putting up a sign about the hazard is not enough. There needs to be a serious effort on behalf of the property owner to protect others from attractive nuisances on their land.

Talk to Our Legal Team

When you are ready to pursue a personal injury case, contact the James Law Office, LLC. We can take a look at your situation and advise you on the next steps to take.