rotecting Yourself if You Get a Drone for Christmas

According to market sources, more than 200,000 people can expect to find a drone under the Christmas tree this year…or perhaps hovering nearby. The introduction into the market of “out of the box, ready to use” drones has turned what was once limited to hobbyists into the current craze. But safety officials have serious concerns. Though no one has died yet in an accident involving a drone, there have been numerous reports of serious injury and incidents where drones have crashed into buildings, hit cars or run into bystanders.

At present, federal regulations do not cover drones. There’s no license requirement and no training or safety programs that users must complete before flying the devices. Hobbyists say that newer products, such as the DJI Phantom, are ready to operate right out of the box, unlike traditional radio-controlled aircraft. They point out that, when hobbyists must assemble the aircraft, there is necessarily a learning curve, where users develop skills by operating the device at low altitudes and slower speeds.

The key question, then, if you find a drone under the tree, is how to protect yourself from liability should you cause damage or injury while learning to operate the device. In the past, most similar types of accidents—caused by hobbyists—would fall under the coverage provided in a homeowner’s policy. However, many insurance companies have taken measures over the last year to specifically exclude drone accidents from coverage under those policies. Accordingly, you’ll want to carefully review your homeowner’s policy before your initial flight. If drone accidents are excluded, you’ll want to obtain a separate policy to cover potential liability.

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Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year from Sackstein Sackstein & Lee

Hoverboards Target of Safety Probe

Officials at the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission say reports of injuries and fires associated with hoverboards have jumped 25% in the last week. What many thought would be the hottest product under the tree this year may be just that—there have been reports in at least 10 states of hoverboards catching fire. In addition, the CSPC reports 39 emergency room visits, 16 fractures, two head injuries, two concussions and multiple sprains, abrasions and contusions.

At this point, the CSPC has not issued a recall on the product, but is asking consumers to take specific steps to minimize the risk of injury:

• The fires appear to be caused by overheating of the product’s batteries. Officials caution users not to charge the device overnight and not to put the device under the tree immediately after bringing it to a full charge. Consumers may also want to have existing batteries and chargers tested by a certified testing laboratory.
• Users should not take hoverboards on public streets, and should always wear a bicycle or skateboard helmet and other protective gear

Because of the safety concerns, many top retailers have either suspended sales altogether or limited the versions they are making available. Overstock.com no longer sells any hoverboards and Amazon.com has discontinued some makes. And most major airlines have banned the devices on board a plane , whether as carry-on or in checked bags. Airline officials have expressed concern that the lithium-ion batteries in the devices are a potential problem.

Contact Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP

At Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP, we have more than 60 years of experience protecting the rights of personal injury victims. For a free initial consultation,
contact our office online or call us toll free at 888-519-6400.