Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Hello

I am a 36-year-old male who has a side job of cutting my neighbors lawns; my main job is an educator. I recently dropped a client and found another lawn service to cut her lawn. She was very upset and wrote a letter to me stating that I did not have insurance and she has contacted her lawyer and the township (Bensalem PA). She also said that I nicked her cable wire.

I only have 20 lawns, I am not a business just a guy who cuts lawns on my street and two other streets near me. I understand that I will have to pay to have her cable fixed. I have no problems paying for that, but is there anything else I should be worried about? What should my next step be?

Any and all help is appreciated.

Ron Caponigro


Asked on 5/27/10, 3:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Based on what you describe, the former client calling her lawyer and the township seems like an overreaction, particularly as you are willing to pay for the alleged damage to the cable wire. It would make sense for you to talk to your insurance agent about a commercial policy for your business (even though it is just you as a sole proprieter on a part-time basis). Your homeowners policy likely would not provide coverage. The business of cutting lawns brings to mind the wisdom of that great legal mind, Ace Ventura: "You could put someone's eye out with that!" Even if you formed a separate company (S-corp. or LLC), someone still could make a claim for negligence against you personally if there was an injury, so adequate insurance would be the first step. Make sure you declare the income (and deduct the expenses) on Schedule C of your tax returns.

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Answered on 5/27/10, 7:31 am


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