WWYD? Neighbor's DD broke her leg in MY backyard!

[crazee4mickey]

When my nephew broke his arm 2 years ago (he was 7) I sent him a huge candy bouquet.

http://www.candybouquet.com/

OMG...he absolutely loved it and shared it with his little sister and the neighbor kids!

 

[BuffettFan]

When my son was 11, he was at soccer practice, and the asst coach (Who weighed about 240#)fell on him during a scrimmage game, breaking 5 bones in his right hand. The hopsital asked about what happend, but not about the specifics. It wasn't until he was seen by the orthopedic surgeon that we were asked the name and contact info of the guy who fell on him, the name of the head coach in charge of running the practice, the name of league the team was registered with, and the property owner of the land where the practice was taking place.
A couple weeks later we heard that several people involved had been contacted by our health insurance company (Even though we had no intention of suing anyone!)
However as part of the investigation, we were interviewed by a rep...and the important question seemed to be whether we felt his injury was an accident, or a result of someones reckless behavior Once we convinced them that we truely felt it was an accident (Field conditoins ok, properly supervised, no reckless behavior) no one involved ever heard from the insurance company again.

So I think your neighbors feelings will def. be taken into consideration.

I think the goody basket is a GREAT idea ! The man who fell on my son, who had been a good friend, couldnt handle the guilt, and avoided us at all costs !!!

 

[Cindy B]

PS.. Most school nurses have old style wheelchairs in the office to use for these situations. I don't understand why she cant use crutches in school.

 

[aprilgail2]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you will be paying for this via your homeowner's

Not for sure!

I think it all depends on what the parents told the hosptial. DS was at the neighbors and he decided to jump off their deck. He landed on the ground but in a hole from their dog digging. We ended up at the ER. They asked what happened and I said "he jumped off the deck and landed on his foot wrong" and that was that. They never asked where and I didn't intentionaly leave anything out I said he jumped off the deck. No claim was made and I paid the deductable. It wasn't an accident it was my kid being stupid. She probably wasn't watching the kids but she has 3 kids to my 1. I don't expect her to watch them like a hawk, boys are boys and things happen. Nobody's insurance sued anyone else's.

That is exactly how I did it- my daughter fell at a relatives house and broke some teeth and had to get her arm xrayed and I just said she fell and hit the radiator- I sure DIDN"T say it was at someone elses house!
Another time she jumped off the bleachers at school at a evening event and hurt her foot - certainly not the schools fault that my kid was doing something she shouldn't have been! At the ER I just said she fell and hurt her foot- left out the at school part!
If there was anyway around it I sure would not bring someone else into the picture if it was not their fault. Now if they picked my kid up and threw her or something like that then it would be a different story but accidents are accidents!

 

[aprilgail2]

PS.. Most school nurses have old style wheelchairs in the office to use for these situations. I don't understand why she cant use crutches in school.

They wouldn't let them use crutches in our school either- liability issue. Halls to crowded to someone to be there on crutches.

 

[golfgal]

We had this same situation (arm, not leg) in our neighborhood lately. Only, the family of the girl has no insurance (not even for the kids - and they can afford it). The girl actually had to have surgery on it at a childrens hospital. The homeowner where it happened is scared silly because she's worrying they're going to sue (and they're the type that would. Really odd people.) Thankfully your neighbors sound like good people.

This is why we carry high liability limits on our homeowners and a large umbrella policy .

When my son was 11, he was at soccer practice, and the asst coach (Who weighed about 240#)fell on him during a scrimmage game, breaking 5 bones in his right hand. The hopsital asked about what happend, but not about the specifics. It wasn't until he was seen by the orthopedic surgeon that we were asked the name and contact info of the guy who fell on him, the name of the head coach in charge of running the practice, the name of league the team was registered with, and the property owner of the land where the practice was taking place.
A couple weeks later we heard that several people involved had been contacted by our health insurance company (Even though we had no intention of suing anyone!)
However as part of the investigation, we were interviewed by a rep...and the important question seemed to be whether we felt his injury was an accident, or a result of someones reckless behavior Once we convinced them that we truely felt it was an accident (Field conditoins ok, properly supervised, no reckless behavior) no one involved ever heard from the insurance company again.

So I think your neighbors feelings will def. be taken into consideration.

I think the goody basket is a GREAT idea ! The man who fell on my son, who had been a good friend, couldnt handle the guilt, and avoided us at all costs !!!

Exactly, to be liable for something they will have to prove negligence. I doubt you will see a claim on your homeowners insurance.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My son broke his arm at a friends/neighbors house. He fell off a swing. We told the doctors it happened there. Our insurance paid everything. The friend was never contacted. I never even thought of it.


I think a gift basket would be a great idea. It is really nice of you to think of it. Kids love those kinds of things. I'm sure it would cheer her up, and make her feel better.

 

[HM]

My DD (3 at the time) fell off a nieghbor's swing set and broke her arm. They took us to the ER and stayed until DH could meet us, but other than that, I didn't expect or need for them to do anything else for us (and they didn't).

Don't feel so bad. This could have happened anywhere at any time.

Sorry it happened though. (((HUGS)))

 

[metime]

They can only sue if there was negligence and most likely your home owner's insurance would cover it.


I wouldn't worry about it. I would get the child a get well gift (even if they didn't hurt themselves in my yard) and make them a dinner too. Also make sure you are still able to make playdates so the little girl doesn't feel like shut in becuase she can't run around like the other kids just yet.

 

[jfoofj]

Hopefully all the insurance stuff will work out... it sounds like your neighbors are decent people who aren't looking to sue anyone.

When I was 8 years old I fell at my aunt's house and needed stitches. A lot of stitches. My aunt had a bouquet of flowers delivered to my house the next day... it was the first time I had flowers delivered to me and I remember thinking how great it was, and what a big deal it was. I love all the ideas you've gotten so far too, especially making dinner one night, I'm sure her mom will appreciate that!

 

[SC Minnie]

DD broke her arm twice (same arm within 6 months) and had stitches twice by the time she was 5 . None of these happened at home- 1 broken arm at daycare, 1 broken arm at church, stitches in her forehead at another daycare, stitches in her nose at my parents house. They were all accidents. My medical insurance paid for it all. When we took her to the doctor each time they asked what happened we told them- I am sure we even told them where (especially the second broken arm, I was afraid Child Protective Services would be calling us). I never heard that our insurance contacted any of these places- we never gave out the specific names of the place just daycare, church, grandma's etc.

I hope the little girl is feeling better soon. A care package would certainly be a great idea.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I broke my hip when I was five. Since I only have half-brothers and half-sisters (who were already grown by that time), it really meant a lot to me to have kids from the neighborhood come over and play with me and one girl even went trick-or-treating for me since I couldn't go. I also had a grown neighbor (a high school history teacher) who came over every night and he got to be a really close family friend. It also meant a lot when people who were friends of my family brought me little things I could play with by myself (paper dolls, these little dolls that you came with plastic clothes that stuck to them, and a bead kit were my favorites that I can remember.) Finally, my dad got me a computer of my own (obviously, a bit too big of a thing to do for this little girl but I remember because it was the first computer I ever owned.) I would say that since this little girl has sisters, she does at least have some built-in playmates but I would still have your sons go over and play indoor games (board games or card games) with her, buy her a little goody bag, bake some cookies, etc. She'll remember your kindness to her when she grows up.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

OP here...

Well, I don't know much about 7 yr old girls, but I did the best I could. I have a 'goody bag' for her with a necklace/bracelet making kit, a Hannah Montana coloring book and crayons, a set of bracelets, and a card game. Along with 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I made today. I'm taking it to her later when I get a chance.

I have no control over what else happens, but this makes me feel a lot better to do this for her.

 

[RitaZ.]

OP here...

Well, I don't know much about 7 yr old girls, but I did the best I could. I have a 'goody bag' for her with a necklace/bracelet making kit, a Hannah Montana coloring book and crayons, a set of bracelets, and a card game. Along with 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I made today. I'm taking it to her later when I get a chance.

I have no control over what else happens, but this makes me feel a lot better to do this for her.

You've got the right attitude!

 

[allison443]

OP here...

Well, I don't know much about 7 yr old girls, but I did the best I could. I have a 'goody bag' for her with a necklace/bracelet making kit, a Hannah Montana coloring book and crayons, a set of bracelets, and a card game. Along with 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I made today. I'm taking it to her later when I get a chance.

I have no control over what else happens, but this makes me feel a lot better to do this for her.

That goody bag sounds great! I'm sure it will be appreciated!

 

[horseshowmom]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you will be paying for this via your homeowner's

It will depend upon their health insurance and "them". Many health insurance companies attempt to determine "if someone else could be responsible". They send a letter with a questionaire; "Where did it happen"? "Could someone else be responsible"? I have gotten them twice when my kids were injured playing in someone else's yard. I told them that "it was no one's fault". 'It was an accident."

I had an accident (attention got diverted and didn't see a drop off - fell and wound up with whiplash) at a trail ride. My insurance sent me the letter that DawnCt mentioned. In fact, they sent it more than once. I gave them the facts on the location, etc. and just kept explaining that it was an accident and my own fault. They finally let it drop.

OP here...

Well, I don't know much about 7 yr old girls, but I did the best I could. I have a 'goody bag' for her with a necklace/bracelet making kit, a Hannah Montana coloring book and crayons, a set of bracelets, and a card game. Along with 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I made today. I'm taking it to her later when I get a chance.

I have no control over what else happens, but this makes me feel a lot better to do this for her.

Nice idea! I'm sure she'll like it.

 

[BCV513]

OP here...

Well, I don't know much about 7 yr old girls, but I did the best I could. I have a 'goody bag' for her with a necklace/bracelet making kit, a Hannah Montana coloring book and crayons, a set of bracelets, and a card game. Along with 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies I made today. I'm taking it to her later when I get a chance.

I have no control over what else happens, but this makes me feel a lot better to do this for her.

Good for you! I'm sure that little girl will remember your kindness for a long time.

When I was six, I fell off my best friend's swingset and needed stitches in my back. It was completely my own fault. I was trying to swing across the top bar of the swingset, fell, and caught my back on a screw that was sticking out. Back then, we had old metal swingsets with rusty screws. My parents took me for stitches, and my friend's parents sent me flowers. No one ever considered suing.

 

[browneyes106]

Your neighbors sound like good fair people. I wouldn't worry too much about them going after your homeowner's insurance. You put together a good goody bag for the little girl and maybe continue offering them help.

 

[dicar123]

zachnsamsmom I just wanted to say that you're a nice person. I'm glad all of you are being decent to each other.

When I was in college and riding with my roommate, she pulled out in front of a car believing that the other car had a stop sign. I saw the car coming at me and twisted away from it, wrenching my back a bit when the car was hit.

After a short while, I started getting stiff and sore so I mentioned that I should be checked out in the ER. My parents are big "Better safe than sorry" types and I knew they would have wanted me to go. Roommate was SO upset! She insisted I was fine that I didn't need to go and was pretty cold to me over the whole thing.

In the end, I did go to the ER. They told me I was fine and my parents paid the co-pay. Insurance is insurance and in an accident I don't understand why things need to be so personal.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

When they find out it happened on your property they(the insurance not your neighbors) will probably go after your homeowners insurance to cover the claim. It is what it is and the way insurance works, I tripped in my own home and broke my ankle a few years ago, before my health insurance would pay I had to fill out a form telling them what happened and where.

That seems very unusual. I have never heard of that. I fell down my back patio steps, and broke my toe (and smashed my face in), but my medical insurance paid the claim no questions asked.

My DD broke her thumb playing dodge ball during a kids activity at our vacation resort last spring. Again, medical insurance paid without asking any questions.

The only time I have had to answer a question on an injury is if it happened on the job, or during a car accident.