Sport Waiver Risk Fitness Law

Julie I. Fershtman, Attorney at Law gives accurate answers to some important questions about waivers.
Dear Readers:
A few years ago, a major equine magazine interviewed me on the topic of releases of liability (sometimes called “waivers”) that are used in equine-related activities. I have long said that liability waivers and releases are, in my opinion, the most misunderstood documents in the equine industry. To explain this further, I am re-printing a portion of my interview in this article.
Question: Why do some people believe releases and waivers are not worth the
paper they’re …

This article by Doyice Cotten was originally published in Fitness Management. It has been updated (in red) and presents the provider with some valuable information regarding waivers.
Jody Corso was injured while performing an aerobic exercise under the direction of an aerobics instructor.  She fell while using a yoga ball and when she quickly regained her feet, she injured herself.  She filed suit against the United States Surgical Corporation (owner of the fitness center provided for the use of its employees), claiming the corporation, its agents, servants, and employees were negligent …

Waivers and releases of liability can fail to protect for many reasons. Releases in three 2009 cases failed to protect because the waiver did not name the protected parties either by name or by function. These three cases can give sport, recreation, and fitness providers some guidance in writing a waiver or in evaluating a waiver currently in use.
Porter v. Dartmouth College
In Porter v. Dartmouth College (2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 90516), Christina Porter died from injuries suffered when she skied off the trail on her way down the slope …