PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR FARMERS 



A farm operator may be held legally liable for injuries and illnesses in- 

 cluding death arising from the operation of the farm business which are suffered 

 by (1) members of the general public or (2) farm employees. 



Farmers Comprehensive Personal Liability or Comprehensive General Liability 

 policies are used to provide protection to farmers against injuries to the general 

 public. Employer's liability and Workmen's Compensation are both designed to give 

 protection against injuries to employees. 



The decision as to the desirability of carrying these forms of insurance de- 

 serves very careful consideration by the farmer. 



Public Liability Insurance 



Public or General Liability Insurance is used to cover liability resulting 

 from injuries to, or death of members of the general public, or from damage to 

 their property that arises out of the activities of the farmer. 



Any property owner is responsible for the safety of those on his property. 

 On farms the presence of livestock, power machinery, and farm ponds add to the 

 dangers involved and the need for insurance of this type. Policies may be "general" 

 in that they cover the legal liability of the family of the insured on the home 

 farm only or Comprehensive in that they cover legal liability of the family of the 

 insured any where for their negligent acts. 



Basic coverage usually is written for $10,000 and the common medical payment 

 coverage is $250. The Comprehensive policy has a $1,000 property damage feature. 



Additional coverage may be obtained by either increasing the amount of basic 

 coverage or by adding endorsements to the original policy to cover other possible 

 hazards. For example, liability due to accidents occurring while the farmer is 

 engaged in custom work , coverage for liability that might arise from the sale of 

 farm products , at locations off the farm, or delivery, moving or transportation 

 of farm livestock or other similar operations may create hazards. 



As examples of what can occur consider these recent accidents. Johnny was a 

 bright two-year old youngster and had gone with his mother to a roadside stand for 

 produce. While Farmer Jones was waiting on Johnny's mother, Johnny ran across the 

 parking area, tripped and fell face down in a rubbish pile which Farmer Jones had 

 intended to burn that morning. Something sharp pierced Johnny's right eye. Johnny's 

 trip to the country ended in the local hospital where the eye was removed. 

 Johnny's parents brought suit against Farmer Jones. Their lawyer said Farmer 

 Jones was negligent. The jury agreed and awarded $30,000 to Johnny. 



F0rwer Smith advertised "Good Apples, Pick Your Own, Bring Your Own Container." 

 Harry Brown saw the ad and appeared at the farm the next afternoon. Smith showed 

 him the trees and apples snd Harry began to pick them. After picking a few from 

 the ground he climbed a ladder placed in the tree. He fell to the ground just as 

 he finished filling his basket, injuring his hip and breaking his collarbone. After 

 a stay in the hospital he sued Smith. In court he said, "The ladder was defective 

 and Smith was negligent in not warning me." "Not so," said Smith's lawyer, 

 "ordinary prudence should have indicated caution. Brown was at fault. He was 

 careless and he should know that climbing ladders is dangerous." The award was 

 $13,000 to Brown. 



