Are Your Children Safe at Summer Camp?
April 22, 2016
So are you thinking that you’re going to drop your kids off at summer camp and those camp counselors have all been thoroughly vetted and you have nothing to worry about? Think again!
Releasing Counselors from Liability or Camp Negligence
The direction many summer camp programs are taking is to ask parents to sign liability waivers releasing the camp and counselors from responsibility if their negligence leads to injuries to your child. These are forms that you should read very carefully. Now I am not saying that those waivers will all hold up in court (different states have different interpretations) but I am saying that they will give the summer camp’s insurance company lawyers a lot to argue about assuming the program is properly insured for premises liability.
I hope you all realize that insurance companies love to collect premiums but hate to pay injury claims. Some of these waivers are so bad that the summer camp program is even asking the parents to sign an agreement to indemnify the Summer Camp for personal injuries. This means that if the Summer Camp is sued for negligently injuring your child, you as the parent would be responsible for the Summer Camp’s attorney fees and costs and that is just plain ridiculous and I don’t blame you for feeling insulted!
I believe that these liability waivers are scary also because they give the summer camp owners and operators a false sense of security. Think about it. If the Summer Camp believes that they are insulated from their own negligence and the negligence of their own employees, what will be the quality of their camp counselors and employees? As a parent I have talked to camp counselors and some are great and some are not so impressive. I have even seen lifeguards texting while they should be watching the kids in the pool.
In one instance, I refused to let my child’s summer program use a YMCA pool and facilities and they then agreed that I would not have to sign a waiver. That may or may not work for you. You could also purchase disability insurance. Good luck. Being a good parent is hard work!
DISCLAIMER: The foregoing articles etc, are not intended to be legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. They do not replace an in office attorney – client consultation.
Contact Jodat Law Group today for a free consultation on personal injury, product liability, negligence, family law, and bankruptcy. If you suspect negligence from a Summer Camp, call us. Who’s That? Jodat.
