If you’ve been presented with a release of liability, you should be very careful when you make the decision as to whether or not you should sign it. In fact, you should be very careful with anything you sign when it comes to a case, as it can affect the outcome and the compensation you receive. That is why a pedestrian accident lawyer is here to share:
- What a release of liability is
- The consequences of signing the release
- And who you should hire to help you understand what you’re signing.
This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for legal advice.
What Is A Release Of Liability?
A release of liability is a legal document that you may be asked to sign under different circumstances. For example, if you want to go sky diving or even play in a local soccer club, you may be presented with this document. It may also be a document presented to you in the event that you’re in an accident and you’re settling with the insurance company.
This document may also be referred to as a liability waiver or a hold harmless agreement. Regardless of the document title, you should understand the consequences of signing this agreement.
You have probably encountered one of these in some form or another. Any activity that could potentially end in an injury features this kind of document which you have to sign first. It might be easy to think of extreme examples like sky diving, but even something as simple as going to a water park in the summer can have a waiver you sign.
What Are The Consequences Of Signing A Release Of Liability?
If you sign a release of liability, you give up certain legal rights that you may have had if you didn’t sign it. That is the purpose of the document: by participating in the activity listed in the document, you agree not to hold the company liable if you are injured in some way. You will not be able to seek compensation for your injuries or losses. It does not matter how serious your injuries are or if they get worse over time. You may not be able to seek compensation. You would be responsible for your own losses as our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC can explain.
Get Professional Assistance Understanding The Release Of Liability
A release of liability is an important document. It’s vital that you understand what the document states you’ll give up. Before you sign one, you should talk with a personal injury attorney. They can clearly advise you on whether the document is fair or whether you should not sign it.
Additionally, even if you have signed a waiver, those do not always cover the injuries you have sustained. A waiver for a pool might cover slick surfaces but not the chairs around the pool which pinched your child’s fingers. Contact an attorney near you for more information on releases of liability.