Rusty Mase wrote:

If you hire the "Fly-by-Night Tree Company" and one of their uninsured
employees falls and breaks his back while working on your property,
not only will state agencies but even the federal Occupational Health
and Safety Administration is likely to come around asking questions.

Brief aside - I hired an outfit staffed by Christian reformed alcoholics
to do some tree work a few years back - a big pecan limb had broken off
and was hanging down, needed cutting clear and the tree wound dressed.

When the guy on the ladder finished the cut, the limb fell and hit a
nest of bumble bees. He took about 20 hits before he could get down and
clear the area.

I cannot imagine what he felt like - his buddies were helping him, but
he was staggering and falling - could not have helped his efforts to
remain sober, at any rate.