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Originally Posted by Silver Duck
...I have to sympathize with the property owners on this one; common law is one thing, common decency is another... I know that NH is less lawsuit-happy than MA, but wouldn't allowing strangers to use one's property casually open one up to the possibility of being sued if a person doing so was injured?...
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S D, you are absolutely correct in your sympathies, and most people must agree with your line of thought because some of the outrageous examples given in this thread rarely if ever occur....unless a good dose of alcohol or drugs have been administered, but that's a whole 'nother story!
Remember, in NH it is not you allowing strangers access, but the common law beliefs held by the State's courts.
However, you must always be cognizant of hazards and "attractive nuisances" on your property, and your liability should someone be injured. Two easy examples....an old open well that someone could fall in to, or an in-ground pool not properly fenced off. There are many examples over the years of tragedies involving these two common hazards resulting in liability for a property owner.
Again, there is a wealth of information on the NH Fish & Game website on the open land concepts and liabilities that can be incurred by landowners, along with suggestions to minimize these risks. The F&G site is excelent reading for anyone interested in the State's great outdoors, whether you are a sportsman (or woman) or not....
Check it out!
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