Gross Negligence Law in Pennsylvania

By Doyice Cotten

 

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court (Tayer v. Camelback Ski Corporation, Inc., 2012) addressed the issue of the

enforceability of waivers when the act in question was recklessness; it ruled that there is a dominant public policy against enforcing waivers seeking to protect reckless behavior. Unfortunately, the court left unaddressed the issue of waivers when the action involved gross negligence.

It was not until 2019 when the question was answered.

Helping Providers to Understand a Major Defense: Assumption of Risk

 

This article was originally published on Recreation-Law.com, an excellent newsletter dealing with outdoor sport and recreation law. Its author, James H. Moss, J.D., is a well-known attorney specializing in the outdoor recreation industry. Jim has kindly granted permission to reprint the article.

Even Hikers Sue for their Injuries

By James H. Moss, J.D.

Citation: Kalter, et al., v. Grand Circle Travel, et al., 631 F.Supp.2d 1253 (C.D.Cal. 2009)

State: California, United States District Court,

Book Cover image

 

NEW EDITION
Greatly Expanded – 292 Pages
How to have a more Effective Waiver
Evaluate your Current Waiver
Many Changes in:
    State Waiver Laws
    State Waiver Law for Minors
Likelihood of Enforcement
      (Is a waiver likely to be enforced in your state?)

Informed Consent
Electronic Waivers
Expanded Gross Negligence Sections
To purchase your copy:
Go to the books section of this website to order by Paypal or check.  Price of $73 includes Priority Shipping.

 

Kentucky Health Club Allowed To Produce Waiver To Show That The Club Did Not Breach Its Standard Of Care

 By Doyice Cotten

Lori Hassler joined Results by Design, LLC in order to begin a training regimen in the hope of “toning up” for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. She listed her goals on intake paperwork as a tighter abdomen, muscle definition in arms, and more energy. She was aware that she suffered from diabetic kidney disease. The trainers put together a coordinated exercise program, nutrition plan, and dietary supplementation (vitamins) regimen. After about six weeks on the plan,

Which Sports Are Considered the Most Dangerous?

By Edgaras Abraxinsas

Taking part in sports is a recommended way of feeling fitter and healthier. Yet, not every type of sport is going to give you the same benefits.

In fact, there are some sports out there are considered to be incredibly dangerous for your health. So what are the sports that only the bravest among us would try?

Boxing

It is no surprise to see that boxing is one of the activities where you have a high chance of getting injured.

Established Protecol for Administering Electronic Waiver Protects Fair When Participant is Killed

By Doyice Cotten

The 28th District, an agency in the State of California, organizes and operates the San Bernardino County Fair and owns and operates the event location. The fair’s attractions are owned and operated by independent vendors. The vendor in this case, FD Event, owned and operated the “Free Drop Experience.” It involved jumping off scaffolding 36 feet high onto a stuntman airbag. When constructing the scaffolding for the May, 2015, fair the platform at the top was eliminated because it seemed to add too much stress to the tower.

Insufficient Language Results in Waiver’s Failure to Protect for Negligence in a Deep Sea Fishing Trip – Admiralty Law

By Doyice Cotten

Sport, recreation, and fitness businesses regularly depend upon liability waivers for protection from liability for injuries resulting from the negligence of the business. What is still astounding is the quality of some of the waivers relied upon by some businesses. Some small businesses have investments of hundreds of thousands of dollars; other businesses’ investments are in the millions. In spite of this, some are relying upon what seems to be a 25 cent waiver.

In New Pelican Charters,LLC v.

You Be the Judge: Injury Caused by Collapsing Massage Chair

By Doyice Cotten

Check out your waiver savvy on this case! Vicki Taylor, an Atrium employee, received a free massage provided to hospital personnel for “Hospital Appreciation Week” by MHR Solutions, LLC d.b.a. Massage Envy and Atrium Medical Center.

Prior to the massage, Vicki signed a waiver of liability which included the following language,

You understand and voluntarily accept any risks of which you have been advised about associated with your massage, or from any use of the company’s facilities,

Inadequate Exculpatory Language and Facility Improvements After an Incident Involving Possible Negligence

By Doyice Cotten

Lisa Garvine fell from her horse during a charity horse ride offered by Oxford Grain & Hay Company on land owned by the State of Maryland. This suit ensued (Garvine v. Maryland, 2019).

While moving to the start line, Garvine and her horse fell into a creek that was lower than the trail and hidden by undergrowth. There were no barriers or warning signs to warn riders of a culvert,