Mt. Juliet and Lebanon TN
There’s nothing like making memories on summer break when you take the family to a trampoline park. However, if you have ever visited a trampoline park, you may have been asked to sign a “liability waiver” before your child can jump on the trampolines. Unfortunately, many parents sign the paperwork without thoroughly reading the entire content and never knowing or understanding a waiver’s purpose. Therefore, our personal injury lawyer in the Nashville area at the Law Office of Yancy Belcher shares on the blog today what jump park waivers actually mean so that you can fully understand what you agree to when you and your family visit these establishments.
Tennessee State law allows companies or people to use contracts to circumvent penalties relating to simple negligence. However, some exceptions don’t allow gross negligence.
In some cases, a minor child may attempt to forge their parent’s signature on a waiver or find an incompetent adult to sign the paperwork to access the activities. But, according to our experienced personal injury lawyer in Mt. Juliet, under Tennessee law, minors are helpless, and the waiver signed by anyone other than the child’s parents has no standing in court. In addition, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a longstanding case that affirms that when parents sign a liability waiver, they relinquish their right to sue for negligence if their child gets injured. Still, the release doesn’t withhold the child’s right to hold the establishment or organization responsible for their injuries.
In some cases, establishments or organizations attempt to camouflage verbiage that states the parents retain the responsibility if the company must pay the minor for damages by court order, which typically creates an indemnity agreement. However, since the agreement places the child’s interest against the parents, the agreements aren’t worth their weight in water.
Medical bills are another caveat if your child becomes injured at a jump or theme park. In most cases, medical care expenses get billed to the parent who has the right to waive the expenses. Although parents can’t claim loss of wages because of their child’s injury, they should have the insured’s name not be the same as the parent signing liability waivers.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Nashville area including Hermitage and Mt. Juliet, TN
Injuries at a jump or theme park can become more complex when minors are involved. However, liability waivers may not be what they seem, and just because you sign one doesn’t mean the establishment or organization is no longer responsible for your child’s injuries entirely. If you or your child become injured at a jump or theme park, seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney in Hermitage at the Law Office of Yancy Belcher. We offer free consultations and can quickly conclude if your case has legitimate grounds for negligence. Call the Law Office of Yancy Belcher at (615) 773-2889 to schedule an appointment or contact us online to consult with a personal injury lawyer today.
