Post by Gsseagle on Nov 4, 2006 21:24:46 GMT -5
A jury in Lehigh County has found a farmer 10% liable for compensation due a woman who was accidentlly shot by a bullet fired by a hunter on the farmers property. The jury found the farmer liable because he granted permission to the hunter to allow him to hunt on his property. The hunter was well outside the 150 yard safety zone when the shot was fired. The bullet had to travel through a wooded area and nearly three quarters of a mile of terrain, to hit the victim. Definately a freak accident. When the case went to trial, the hunter, claimed he could not afford an attorney, due to lack of funds, and defended himself. Now get this, under Penna "joint and several" liability rules, if the party found most responsible, (the hunter was 90% liable), is unable to pay the damages awarded by the jury, the other parties (the land owner)are liable for the total amount.
The case is being appealed, but for now farmers may already be taking precautions. The farmer in this case, says he knows of some people who are not letting anyone on their property, as well as his own, this deer season, due to this ruling.
This incident happened near our area just north of Allentown. If this ruling stands, you can bet farmers will have second thought , on allowing hunters to use there land.
The case is being appealed, but for now farmers may already be taking precautions. The farmer in this case, says he knows of some people who are not letting anyone on their property, as well as his own, this deer season, due to this ruling.
This incident happened near our area just north of Allentown. If this ruling stands, you can bet farmers will have second thought , on allowing hunters to use there land.
