Originally Posted by Meeko:
I once was going to refuse to sign a similar waiver when my kids went on a school trip. I asked my attorney if that meant the adults on the trip couldn't be held liable if something terrible happened to my child. Not at all.
He explained that these waivers DO help when it comes to sue happy parents. In a true neglect case...it's not worth the paper it's written on...but it WILL help with frivolous lawsuits.
That's why I use it. If, for some reason, I was truly negligent...the parent would have a case.
BUT...If Suzy trips in the driveway and scrapes her chin...this puts the reigns on the type of parent who would sue for millions because "Suzy was going to be a famous model and now her future is ruined and she will need plastic surgery to restore her perfect face and we also need millions for pain and suffering/therapy etc etc."
I use it more as a deterrent than anything else.
Now the medical part is ironclad and is actually required by our state. We must have authorization to allow medical treatment/transport etc.
Excellent point Meeko!
The difference between outright negligence and an accident if HUGE!