Legal Definitions - turntable doctrine

The turntable doctrine, also known as the attractive-nuisance doctrine, is a legal rule that states that if a property owner has a dangerous condition or object on their property that could attract children to trespass, they have a duty to protect those children from harm.

For example, if a property owner has a swimming pool that is not properly secured and a child wanders onto the property and drowns in the pool, the property owner could be held liable for the child's death. Similarly, if a property owner has a large, unsecured trampoline in their yard and a child is injured while playing on it, the property owner could be held liable for the child's injuries.

The turntable doctrine is based on the idea that children are naturally curious and may not understand the dangers of certain objects or conditions. Therefore, property owners have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent children from being harmed by these dangers.