December 2010

MORE INFORMATION: She has medical bills and lost wages. As the home renter, am I liable for her injury claims, or is it the homeowners liability? ATTORNEY ANSWER: That depends upon a number of factors.  Did you enter into a lease with the landlord?  If you did, does the lease state whether the landlord or the tenant is liable for the injuries to a guest of the tenant?  Did the landlord carry homeowner’s insurance?  Did you, as the tenant, carry renter’s insurance?  The lease creates contractual obligations between the landlord and tenant which may govern where there is liability.  In the absence of a lease, the landlord is still required to provide a safe, habitable environment and if the landlord does not, he may be liable for negligence.  Each situation is fact specific.

MORE INFORMATION: I was in a motor vehicle accident in MA, likely at fault, and will be sued. ATTORNEY ANSWER: Your IRA will be safe as long as you are insured.  The key point to consider is whether you have adequate coverage.  If you have a minimum policy, carrying limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, for instance, and you hurt someone in a serious accident, your personal assets could be at risk if the value of the injured party’s bodily injury claim is greater than the coverage available.  Speak to your insurance agent, or me, about having sufficient coverage to protect yourself and your family.