Could This Happen to You? Recreation Workers Can Take Steps to Prevent Injury and Avoid Liability

Published August 1, 1993

Preventing injuries in sport and recreation and avoiding liability requires more than a first aid kit, a waiver or an insurance policy. Nor are checklists of safety reminders a guarantee that participants will be safe from harm, and that an organization or facility will be safe from liability claims. A clear understanding of negligence answers the recreation professional or volunteer's question: "how does the law expect me to behave in carrying out my duties?". Meeting this standard requires knowledge of the various techniques used to manage risks in recreation facilities, events and programs. This article is an overview of negligence, standard of care, liability and risk management concepts for the recreation professional.

Read more (PDF): Could this happen to you?

Originally published: LawNow, 1993