Dear Worried Mom: As a Florida child injury attorney I am often consulted regarding potential claims of children injured on field trips, jets skis and after school sports. In almost all cases, the parents were required to sign some form of release promising to forgo any potential claims against the activity’s organizer.
What is a parent to do? We recommend that you investigate any potential extra-curricular activity in which your child participates and do not be embarrassed.
Verify driver’s licenses and credentials.
Verify training in first-aid.
Always make sure that they have your current contact information.
If your child has any allergies or medical needs, advise them in advance.
Florida’s Supreme Court’s recent rulings on pre-injury releases signed by parents is inconsistent and depends upon the activity. If the activity is commercial, such as a go-kart or a safari, the release can be set aside. However, if the activity is educational such as after school cheer-leading or a field trip to the Science Museum the release will be upheld.
Accordingly, our Florida child injury law firm recommends that you carefully consider the release before you sign it. If you do not understand it, have it reviewed by a competent attorney and always obtain a copy of whatever you sign.
