Developing a ‘Safety Training Grid’

Ian McGregor, Ph.D.
President, McGregor & Associates

I am pleased to be able to bring you this article by Ian McGregor, a well-known leader, professional, and consultant in the Risk Management field. Dr. McGregor is a true expert in the field. Here Ian tackles a real problem facing sport, recreation, and fitness managers — training employees.  For more information, Dr. McGregor can be contacted at [email protected]. We are pleased that we will be able to occasionally post more risk management articles from SportRisk,

Illinois Waiver Law: The Importance of the Language that Defines the Scope of a Waiver

By Doyice J. Cotten

Patricia Cizek visited the North Wall Rock Climbing Gym to attempt some bouldering. She fell or dropped from the wall and landed with one foot on the mat and one off; she broke her ankle. It was her first day of bouldering. She sued alleging negligence as well as willful and wanton conduct (Cizek v. North Wall, Inc., 2018).

Even as a beginner, she understood that rock climbing involved being at a height higher than the ground.

Snow Tubing Case Helps to Clarify the Tough Maine Waiver Law

By Doyice Cotten

 Karrol Leadbetter went snow tubing at Family Fun Management, a Maine amusement center. She suffered an injury and sued the center alleging negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness (Leadbetter v. Family Fun Mgmt, 2018).

The snow tube course consists of a number of parallel snow-covered tracks divided by man-made berms of snow. At the bottom of the tracks is a common runout area with a man-made pile of snow, which acts as a retaining wall to slow snow tubers at the end of their runs.

Bicycle Racer Killed in Collision with Support Vehicle Parked in the Traffic Lane

By Doyice Cotten

Suzanne Rivera competed in a bicycling race organized by Velo Promo, LLC and USA Cycling, Inc. During the race, she struck a support van  parked in the lane of the road designated for the cyclists on a downhill, curved section of the course. She was killed. The heirs sued defendants Velo Promo, USA Cycling and Richard Ciccarelli (the driver of the support van) alleging negligence (and gross negligence).(Rivera v. Velo Promo,

Waiver Not Against Public Policy in Pennsylvania Health Club Slip & Fall Incident

By Doyice Cotten

Dolores Vinson, a member of LA Fitness, slipped and fell when she stepped on a wet mat. She sued the club for negligence in their maintenance (Vinson v. Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC, 2018). The club claimed protection based on a liability waiver in the membership agreement. The trial court granted the LA Fitness motion for summary judgment.

Pennsylvania Law

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has named three conditions that must be met for a waiver to be enforceable.

Does Your Waiver Make any Promises to Your Clients?

By Doyice Cotten

It is not uncommon in liability waivers for the writer to include such language as a promise of safety, an effort to make the activity safe, a promise of safe equipment, an assurance of good supervision, and/or assertion of well-trained staff or instructors.  However, as you will learn in this post, this is not a very good idea. While this case deals only with Alaska waiver law, the inclusion of such promises in your waiver  might bear reconsideration.

How Long does a Waiver Last?

  By Doyice Cotten

In a 2018 New Jersey waiver case (Weed v Sky N.J., LLC, 2018 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 410), the primary issue revolved around the enforceability of an arbitration agreement included in the liability waiver. There were two important questions addressed. First, what is the duration of a waiver (and the arbitration agreement)? And second, who can sign a waiver on behalf of a minor.

Under New Jersey law, it is well established that parental waivers (a waiver signed on behalf of a minor by a parent or a legal guardian) are unenforceable.

Two Health Club Cases Clarify Delaware Waiver Law

By Doyice Cotten

Reminder: There is a new Fitness Law Academy Newsletter designed specifically for fitness professionals. It is written by Dr. JoAnn Eickhoff-Shemek, a fitness industry authority. And the best news of all —  its FREE!.    Click here for your free subscription!   djc

In 2016, the Delaware Supreme Court addressed a case in which a Planet Fitness health club member was injured when a cable broke on a seated rowing machine (Ketler v.

Hot Air Balloons: Is a Balloon a Common Carrier in California?

 

By Doyice Cotten

The issue as to whether an activity or mode of transportation is a common carrier can determine the duty owed to passengers. A recent California case (Grotheer v. Escape Adventures, Inc., 2017), addressed the issue of whether a hot air balloon is a common carrier. The court defined a common carrier of persons as anyone “who offers to the public to carry persons.” (Civ. Code, § 2168.)

The duty that a common carrier owes to its clientele depends upon whether the ride is gratuitous or if there is a fee charged.

Connecticut Court Admits Waiver to Show Plaintiff Knew the Inherent Risk of Horseback Riding

By Doyice J. Cotten

Stefana Pecher took riding lesson at Showtime Stables which was owned by Rhea Distefano. After about six lessons, the horse ridden by Pecher was acting lazy, was not obeying commands, and was reacting slowly. She was told by the instructor to use the crop to tap lightly on the shoulder of the horse; the horse bolted, causing her to fall and injure herself.

During the trial, the defense entered into evidence a photo of a warning sign posted at eye level at the barn door and a liability waiver signed by the plaintiff.