The Release of Liability document is signed by a hopeful participant and given to the operator of some sort of activity, such as an outdoor event, an organized trip or an athletic event. The participant releases the operator from liability for any injuries or damages which arise out of such participation. In addition, a parent or guardian can provide consent for his or her child to participate in the activity. Finally, the document gives the operator temporary authority to seek medical treatment for minors should the need arise. This is especially important if the parent or guardian will not be accompanying his or her children in the activity (for example, sending a child on a chaperoned church youth trip). Although the Release of Liability document is designed to limit the liability of the operator for an injury to the participant, it does not protect the operator for damages or injuries caused by the operator's negligence or willful acts. Further, an injured party may try to ignore the Release. Therefore, it is highly recommend that the operator, in addition to requiring the Release, also maintain adequate liability insurance to further limit the operator's exposure to liability. |