Tag Archives: gross negligence

What Does Your Waiver Protect Against? Inherent Risks – Ordinary Negligence – Acts Greater than Ordinary Negligence

By Doyice Cotten

There are literally hundreds of waiver cases in which the waiver protected the provider from liability for ordinary negligence by the provider. In the Salinger case below, the waiver specifically stated that Grace Farms was released from liability for negligence (meaning ordinary negligence) and would have protected the provider from such liability. However, the plaintiff alleged “greater than ordinary negligence,” which in Minnesota meant willful and wanton conduct. In most states, waivers do not protect against gross negligence,

A Look at Florida Waiver Law!

This is a well-researched article pointing out some important aspects of Florida waiver law. Thanks to Nina Conte for allowing SportWaiver.com to publish this article. Nina received her law degree from Florida International and is an associate with Cole, Scott, and Kissane P.A. The article originally appeared on the firm website.  As you read the article, note that Florida is one of the few states that will enforce waivers for gross negligence. Also, note the care that must be taken in preparing a waiver in Florida.

Risk Management: Learn from the Mistakes of Santa Fe Springs

By Doyice Cotten

What is Risk Management? An expert in adventure law, Reb Gregg says:

The primary purpose of a risk management plan is not the avoidance of legal liability. Rather, it is the maintenance of a quality program; that is, one which deals reasonably and fairly with its clients or students and their families. A program that delivers what it says it will deliver, and does so in the context of reasonable management of the risks,

Will Waivers Protect Against Liability for Gross Negligence and Other Extreme Actions?

This article was taken from Waivers & Releases of Liability 7th ed. and updated for SportWaiver.com. Click SportWaiver for a limited time special price on the book.

By Doyice Cotten

Waivers are now enforceable and can protect the service provider from liability for ordinary negligence in almost every state. However, courts in most states generally hold that waivers intended to protect against gross negligence, reckless conduct, willful or wanton conduct, and intentional acts are against public policy. 

More on Parental Waivers in Florida

By  Doyice  and Mary Cotten

On February 7 of this year we posted an article “Updating Parental Waiver Law — Part I”

updating laws regarding parental waivers in Florida and a number of other states. The Florida statute addressed was s. 744.301 in which the legislature authorized parental waivers for injuries or loss resulting from the inherent risks of the activity (but NOT from the negligence of the provider).

In this article I want to make our readers aware of another statute that might be important to parties signing or relying on parental waivers in Florida.

Assumption of Risk – Waivers – Indemnification: What Do They Do?

This Table is excerpted from the 7th edition of Waivers & Releases of Liability by Doyice and Mary Cotten.

Have you ever wondered “What is the difference between assumption of risk and a waiver?” What about “‘What exactly is the function of a waiver?” or “What does indemnification language do?” Well, this table will explain the differences in the three concepts and will help you to see why a good “waiver” really should include all three.