Board member was injured checking lights

Note: I would like to share a story from one of my homeowners association friends who was a victim of a crime. Here is what she wrote to me:

Unfortunately, two weeks ago, I was the unfortunate recipient of what is apparently happening around the valley in parking lots. There are thieves who are sitting in parking lots watching for women to enter the post office, the park and really anywhere without their purse. They pull up next to your vehicle in a large vehicle that will help to muffle the sound when they smash out the window in your vehicle and then grab your purse or anything else of value that they see in the vehicle. Besides money and credit cards, who wants to lose their driver’s license and medical cards? This happened to me in a park with more than 100 people sitting really close to my car.

I was only gone for a minute. Their large vehicle covers the glass breaking and it is a quick grab-and-leave. The police stated that this is happening more and more in our parks and other places where people will be going for just a quick minute and don’t want to take a purse. Please get the word out to family and friends and clients as this is apparently a new way for people to steal — looking for money.

With the holidays coming, losing your purse could be devastating. They got my keys, my ID, checks, all my credits cards, medical cards, etc. Two full days to recover and it is still not done as you have to wait for replacement cards, checks, etc.

My friend was lucky that she was not hurt. There are other common-sense steps that we all can take to help keep us safe from harm, especially in a 24-hour town. Be observant. Assume that you are being watched. Be choosy where you park. Make sure your car doors are locked. Don’t text and walk as you may not see that one person coming at you. Don’t dally, walk like you have a purpose. Do remember where you parked your vehicle. Don’t hesitate to talk to an employee or a store manager if you feel unsafe walking to your car from their place of business. Have your vehicle keys in your hand, ready to use. Immediately lock your door and leave. Do not sit in the vehicle doing other things, drive off. Don’t forget to instruct your teenage drivers who think they are invincible!

Q: I am on the board of a small community (70 condos). On Sept. 20, 2017, in the evening, I was checking for burned-out light bulbs in the community. As I was looking at a number on a door, in a dark area, I found myself tripping and falling, landing on my chest. I could not move but had my phone and called a neighbor and she came to help me. I had cuts and bruises but the biggest damage was to my ribs.

It seems that there were a handicap sign and post that had been knocked over across the walkway, it could not be seen in the dark. While I was being attended to in my neighbor’s home she started calling the management company and the president of the board, to tell them of this hazard and that it needed to be taken care of immediately.

When the president arrived we learned that it had been reported to her the day before but she didn’t check it; and it also was reported to her live-in, who thinks he owns the place, and he didn’t check it. The sign is right at the base of an upstairs unit and its tenants had moved out two weeks before this. Also, upon them moving, the owners have been refurbishing the condo with new granite and paint, etc.

The person who probably damaged the sign was the past tenant upon moving, or vendors. The management company says that if I want damages covered that it would be association insurance, but that I would have to pay the deductible, which is in the thousands. They are not sympathetic to my plight at all.

The owner is saying it wasn’t them.

I was treated the next day at an urgent care and have been to my primary once, but I have been totally sitting upright with no movement for the past eight days and am just now starting to be able to get around carefully. The pain in my ribs is excruciating. My question to you is, what are my options? Someone should be held accountable and the fact that it was reported and no one took care of it just appalls me. Now, other neighbors are saying the sign was down for a while before the day I fell but people would stand it upright and then it would fall again.

I’m 75 years old and this has not been easy for me, but would like to know what you think.

A: As a board member (as well as any homeowner), you have the right to obtain the name and contact person who insures your community.

Not every homeowner association has worker’s compensation even though they should be insured as it would normally cover such an accident that occurred when a board member was performing their duty — in this case, checking the lighting. You need to find out from the association if it has worker’s compensation insurance. If so, you need to file a claim with them. Generally speaking, there is no deductible to be paid with worker’s compensation insurance.

Your primary insurance policy should have coverage for medical payments, which coverage is separate and distinct from worker’s compensation insurance. You may find by speaking with the insurance agent that the deductible is different than property deductibles, i.e., when a building burns down.

After calling the agent, you will have accurate information as to coverage and deductibles. As to you acting as a board member who was performing an association function, if there are deductibles to pay, the funds should be coming from the association.

Barbara Holland is a certified property manager, broker and supervisory certified association manager. Questions may be sent to holland744o@gmail.com.