Hiring neighbor's kid to mow lawn

[Mermaidman]

One of the neighbor's kids (~15 yr old) came by looking for work - Lawn mowing. He had his own mower.

I don't mind hiring him - Seems like a good kid willing to work hard for some pocket money, but I'm concerned about liability. What if he slips and seriously hurts himself?

Have you ever paid a child to mow your lawn? What do you think about the liability issue?

 

[dabuddha]

I think if he does hurt himself, you'll be liable for it.

 

[Kirby]

Have him sign some kind of waiver?

 

[MotF Bane]

Needing to sign a waiver to mow lawns.

What have we come to?

 

[ichy]

It's a sign of a sick society that we now worry about liability when hiring kids to mow our lawns.

 

[xanis]

It's sad that our world has reached the point where people don't want to let KIDS MOW LAWNS for fear of legal retribution.

That being said, I think that I'd pass on it. There are a lot of nutjob helicopter parents that would love to sue the pants off of someone if their kid got a scrape from doing some work. You really just never know.

 

[edro]

Needing to sign a waiver to mow lawns.
What have we come to?

Litigation has forever changed society and will continue to do so.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

This is a conversation to have with your homeowner's insurance company.

 

[Mermaidman]

Have him sign some kind of waiver?

Probably not legally binding because he's a minor.

It's sad that our world has reached the point where people don't want to let KIDS MOW LAWNS for fear of legal retribution.

That being said, I think that I'd pass on it. There are a lot of nutjob helicopter parents that would love to sue the pants off of someone if their kid got a scrape from doing some work. You really just never know.

Hey--I feel the same way. I want to reward kids who are willing to work hard, but not at my expense!

 

[dpodblood]

Needing to sign a waiver to mow lawns.

What have we come to?

Sad, but yes our society is that sad. I would talk it over with the kids parents. Maybe have them sign something.

 

[highland145]

Well, first you have to stop yelling, "Get off my lawn" and brandishing your gun.

Edit: What's your liability if you have a lawn service?

 

[nick1985]

This thread makes me sad

 

[IronMan77]

This thread makes me sad

2nd.

 

[Caecus Veritas]

no amount of "talk" with the kid's parents will lessen the danger of liability. it really is a sad state of our society but what can you do... without the kid having worker's comp and business liability insurance, you'd be screwed if he ends up losing a finger mowing your lawn.

 

[Golgatha]

Well, first you have to stop yelling, "Get off my lawn" and brandishing your gun.

Edit: What's your liability if you have a lawn service?

You have liability insurance to cover yourself and your workers.

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

You have liability insurance to cover yourself and your workers.

You would be surprised how many small businesses operate without insurance. Or with only partial insurance(Meaning: Only the types of insurance for which the government requires for their license, and nothing more).

 

[highland145]

You have liability insurance to cover yourself and your workers.

You mean the lawn service? Wouldn't/couldn't the homeowner have some liability if a guy gets hurt?



Umbrella policy, ftw.

 

[MaxFusion16]

ask to see his long form birth certificate as well, don't wanna employ illegals now

 

[Cal166]

Simple, tell the kid to get insured and that you are willing to pay 10x amount like the rest of the contractors out there. Good way for him to start his own business, starting with you.

 

[SandEagle]

i asked this same question a few years ago and got some dumb ass responses. i think some of the same posters are here to. just keep an eye on the kid. even better, have him sign a waiver

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2077509

 

[maniacalpha1-1]

Simple, tell the kid to get insured and that you are willing to pay 10x amount like the rest of the contractors out there. Good way for him to start his own business, starting with you.

Have the kid buy business insurance and worker's compensation? That could cost him thousands of dollars. Not to mention it could be difficult to find an insurer willing to insure a child running a business..

 

[Exterous]

It's sad that our world has reached the point where people don't want to let KIDS MOW LAWNS for fear of legal retribution.

That being said, I think that I'd pass on it. There are a lot of nutjob helicopter parents that would love to sue the pants off of someone if their kid got a scrape from doing some work. You really just never know.

I agree on both accounts.

 

[TridenT]

lol wtf

I've never even thought of the liability thing. /notanevilattorney

 

[Perknose]

The way I see it, you could hire the kid to mow your lawn while you have sex with the wife, or you could hire the kid to have sex with your wife while you mow the lawn.

Either choice presents its own unique legal pitfalls. I think it comes down to who would do which job better. OP?

 

[highland145]

The way I see it, you could hire the kid to mow your lawn while you have sex with the wife, or you could hire the kid to have sex with your wife while you mow the lawn.

Either choice presents its own unique legal pitfalls. I think it comes down to who would do which job better. OP?

The kid, on both counts.:biggrin: