ASK BEFORE YOU CUT

[jdscj8]

People please ASK before you go on someones land to cut. Wensday we had a guy and his wife go into our timber with out asking anyone, and both got hurt. he cut a tree and it was falling at her so she jump into the creek and broke her leg, he went to help her and fell hit his head on a rock and knocked himself out, its a creek that you can't just climb out of.
No one knew they where there, i didn't find them untill about 10:00 pm when i checked on the horses. The lady heard my truck and started yelling when i shut it off. There are alot of farmers and land owners that would be happy to let you help clear land off, but please be respectful and ask, and let them know when you go in to cut and get done for safty sakes. That way if there is a problem someone will at least know your there. And if they don't hear from you for a while they come check on you.


THANK YOU, JD

 

[Brian VT]

If they didn't ask, they were trespassing and stealing. Plain and simple.
On top of that, the possibility exists that they could get a slimy lawyer and a liberal judge and win a lawsuit against you.
What a country.

I have hundreds of acres behind my house that belong to a quarry operation that's based in Sweden. I could cut trees and
no one would probably ever know or care. I didn't touch any before asking the quarry manager for permission.

 

[Pagey]

It's good that you found them! That sounds like it could have turned into a much worse situation. Let's hope they are grateful and don't turn around and do something silly.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Seems the world is full of fools. Those fools almost paid the ultimate price. It is just so hard to believe that people think they can just go wherever they want and take whatever they want. I just do not understand it.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Wow. What do you say to someone like that? Trespass, steal wood, cutting unsafe with someone else around...

I guess they're getting punishment enough, but there is always the chance that you get a lawsuit too (stupid as that is).

 

[mainstation]

What a tale!! They were lucky indeed. Lawsuit, wtf? Stupid is as stupid does.
Pretty expensive firewood.
Even if you post your land off limits there will always be assholes who will walk right on by those signs.

 

[jdscj8]

If i wouldn't have found them who knows how long they would have been there. They were ticketed at the hospital for trespassing,thieft,and distruction of personal property. And i guess more can be added by the judge in court next month. Our property does have a locked gate that they did cut, and is posted no trespassing. So from what i was told by the sheriff they can't come back on us. As for the others that have our ok to hunt, ride horses, motorcycles,4wheelers, cut wood out here have all signed liability waivers our attorney drew up years ago, and we have never had a problem they always let us know when thy go in and out, if we are not home they leave a note on the door. They think there bugging us but it makes us feel better.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I can't get over the gall of someone to actually cut a lock and do that.

There's a lot of private land being closed off to hunting, or only open for a hunting lease- making it a rich man's game in a lot of places. Land owner's got to pay the taxes, so I don't begrudge them their rights in this regard at all, but thanks to folks like you for your attitude. I have been done a kindness by landowners that I approached directly. One in particular out in Amherst, MA.

 

[BrowningBAR]

They were ticketed at the hospital for trespassing,thieft,and distruction of personal property. And i guess more can be added by the judge in court next month.

Good! Too many times I hear people getting away with crap like that. I still wouldn't be surprised if they tried to sue, whether they have a case or not has never stopped anyone before.

 

[jdscj8]

Heres the funny thing. If they would have went 100 more yards around the corner they would have found my stacked split dried oak stash, theres about 12 cords there. hahahaha

Your right they might try and sue, but on the 23rd of March we'll find out more, it's going to be pretty interesting to say the least.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

jdscj8, please keep us posted as to the results of this because this could happen to many of us and perhaps you can show the right way to tackle these nuts.

That is funny about them not finding your oak stash. lol

 

[Backwoods Savage]

HOW & WHY DID MY POST DISAPPEAR?

Repeat after me: Abra Cadabra and diggery doo, where oh where has my post blew?

 

[rphurley]

Particularly in light of the fact that they were ticketed, I GUARANTEE you that they will sue. That's just how our country has become. If it goes to trial, in many states they only need to convince a jury of idiots that you were somehow at fault. It doesn't make any sense, but you see it everyday in the newspaper. Particulary, with medical malpractice claims. I'd plan on suing them for the emotional stress of finding them and saving their lives! Also, as a healthcare professional, I'd also bill them for my time. :cheese:

 

[Duetech]

jdscj8,
It may be advisable to contact your lawyer with a plausible counter suit. Something like "they knew if they got hurt they could try to sue and used that for the basis of their suit" so you sue for mental distress 10-20 times what they hope to get from you and your lawyers fees and then you sue the lawyers for being profiteers at the expenses of the innocent." What a mess...I hope they don't try to sue. If there is a judge who would allow a case like that they should be forced to face impeachment proceedings. Just because they got elected, or selected like the federal Supreme Justices, doesn't mean we have to let them keep their job if they fail to support faithful public trust. The real reason we have the "justice" travesty in this country that we do is we ignore the bad decisions that are made instead of doing something about it. Now they can act with impunity and we get to pay the price.

 

[Apprentice_GM]

I'm gobsmacked. They cut a lock on a gate with fence designed to keep out trespassers, walk on your land without permission, cut down your trees without permission, hurt themselves, you rescue them, and everyone is talking about YOU getting sued? Unbelievable!

We did have a case here in my shire (county) which made national headlines where a drunk and stoned idiot jumped off rocks, in the middle of the night, into the sea, at a beach which is patrolled during the day by volunteer lifesavers but (obviously?) not at night, he got injured (paraplegia) and sued the council . . . and won $5 million (initially). Fortunately for justice and sanity the appeal over turned the case so personal responsibility still carries some weight Down Under.

I would have thought at a very minimum:

1) They replace the chain / lock at their cost.
2) Upgrade the fence / gate if needed, at their cost, to avoid future idiots repeating this episode.
3) 100 hours of community service, as in cutting, splitting and stacking firewood for you, at their cost (gas and equipment)
4) A written apology.

I am amazed at the hide of these people. Wow. I hope it turns out alright for you, I too would like to hear what happens in terms of lawsuits and court findings.

 

[rphurley]

I'm gobsmacked. They cut a lock on a gate with fence designed to keep out trespassers, walk on your land without permission, cut down your trees without permission, hurt themselves, you rescue them, and everyone is talking about YOU getting sued? Unbelievable!

We did have a case here in my shire (county) which made national headlines where a drunk and stoned idiot jumped off rocks, in the middle of the night, into the sea, at a beach which is patrolled during the day by volunteer lifesavers but (obviously?) not at night, he got injured (paraplegia) and sued the council . . . and won $5 million (initially). Fortunately for justice and sanity the appeal over turned the case so personal responsibility still carries some weight Down Under.

I would have thought at a very minimum:

1) They replace the chain / lock at their cost.
2) Upgrade the fence / gate if needed, at their cost, to avoid future idiots repeating this episode.
3) 100 hours of community service, as in cutting, splitting and stacking firewood for you, at their cost (gas and equipment)
4) A written apology.

I am amazed at the hide of these people. Wow. I hope it turns out alright for you, I too would like to hear what happens in terms of lawsuits and court findings.

I'm glad to hear that personal responsibility still counts for something. When I was in Australia back in 2000, ( New Years under the bridge in Sydney) my buddy from Melbourne was concerned that Australia was following the US's lead and throwing personal responsibility out the window! You should see how we have to accommodate illegal immigrants and people who don't want to actively participate in taxpaying, productive society. Have you heard of the Octomom?

 

[Apprentice_GM]

A lot of Aussies are very concerned about us following in the litigious footsteps of the US, and want to avoid it if possible. The big story that still gets circulation over here around BBQ's is the one of the woman who sued McDonalds and won millions when she spilt hot coffee on her lap in drive-thru. We can't believe she won. Ummm, everyone knows coffee is hot, it's made with boiling water, but putting a small-print warning on the lid as Maca's does now avoids future lawsuits?

Yes, we've heard of the octomum - my understanding is she convinced a platonic friend to donate sperm, used IVF to get 8 babies, the hospital doesn't want to send them home because she can't care for them properly (understandable) and she's been offered a million dollars to do a porn film. Is that the one or are there more?

 

[rphurley]

[

Yes, we've heard of the octomum - my understanding is she convinced a platonic friend to donate sperm, used IVF to get 8 babies, the hospital doesn't want to send them home because she can't care for them properly (understandable) and she's been offered a million dollars to do a porn film. Is that the one or are there more?[/quote]

That's the one, but I don't want to hijack this thread. I hope you're near Byron Bay and Nimbin or someplace cool like that!
Rich

 

[jdscj8]

I've talked with my attorney (our families have farmed next to each other for over a hundred years) he thought it was funny. I like the 100 hours of community service, i'll remember that. And they didn't walk in, they drove in, with there volvo station wagon with a 12 foot trailer, THATS STILL SITTING HERE, we should ask for impound/storage fees. I need to call the sheriff and have um come get it. Or should i pull it up to the house and try and get i tow fee?? haha

 

[BrowningBAR]

I've talked with my attorney (our families have farmed next to each other for over a hundred years) he thought it was funny. I like the 100 hours of community service, i'll remember that. And they didn't walk in, they drove in, with there volvo station wagon with a 12 foot trailer, THATS STILL SITTING HERE, we should ask for impound/storage fees. I need to call the sheriff and have um come get it. Or should i pull it up to the house and try and get i tow fee?? haha

I say go for the tow fee! Or quickly register your property as an impound lot and charge them for the length of time the car was "impounded".

So, was this a newer model Volvo Station wagon? If so, were these a couple of yuppie idiots trying to "get back to nature" and cut down their own wood?

Might I also suggest you set up webcams throughout your property so the next time this happens you can post videos up on YouTube so you can share with the rest of us.

 

[jdscj8]

I wish i had the money to put up web cams all over i'd be rich. Between the skinny dippers in the river and everyone wantin to hunt my deer herds, i could set up huntin tours.

Its a older 80's tan volvo with tinted widows and lots o rust.

The lady was really hot, the guy reminded me of ozzy.

 

[rowerwet]

the macdonalds case was appealed, the final settlement was 30k for her medical bills, (the most insane part was she was a passenger on the back of a big motorcycle) of that 30k her lawyer got 1/3 so she lost 10k for her trouble. (good!) AND you all pay for that case every time you eat at Mcd's. ( I worked there, they told all of us the final outcome)

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I wish i had the money to put up web cams all over i'd be rich. Between the skinny dippers in the river and everyone wantin to hunt my deer herds, i could set up huntin tours.

Its a older 80's tan volvo with tinted widows and lots o rust.

The lady was really hot, the guy reminded me of ozzy.

Definitely time to set up a few trail cams. If possible, mount them high and aim them down. You won't cover as much area that way but you won't get as many stolen either.

I sure wish you good luck with this mess. I also like the community service part and yes, I'd definitely keep that car locked inside your fence and charge for storage fee.

 

[ashpanannie]

Those two owe you more than an apology, and I sincerely hope you get one of those in court. I think your idea of calling the sheriff to come get the car is the best thing to do.

I was delighted to hear your stacked wood was not found! They would have turned into rabid beavers and started gnawing on it every night. Shame on them both. I hope their woodstove stays cold for the duration, and that they have to stay busy picking icicles off of their butts.

 

[Gwleo]

I would not worry about a lawsuit. If it happens, it happens but my belief is that most judges and juries here in the midwest wouldn't give 'em a penny.

Call the law center and have them deal with the vehicle. Oh, take pictures and keep them. Pictures of their vehicle and where it is, pictures of where they were cutting, pictures of where they where injured, pictures of everything and I mean everything. I would do this as soon as possible. Pictures are a huge help in the legal system.

A report by you of what happened might help and takes up little space on the computer. There usually aren't any statute of limitations on civil lawsuits (I believe) and a report could help if it comes up in the years to come. Of course, your attorney should be advising you to do all of this!