Age to Sign A Waiver

ironclaw

This is a small bit obscure but here we go

For many extreme activities such as paintball, sky diving, airsoft and other extreme sports its the the norm to sign a form that basically says you can't sue and accept the risks yourself ("Sign your life away")

Now, many of these sports allow you to take part from 16 upwards. What I'd like to know, is there any law that says you cannot sign "your life away" if you are under 18? If a club was to bring a group to one of these activities and someone under 18 signed the form and subsequently got hurt, where does the liability lie? Are the parents / guardians (Who may not be present AND / OR may have no knowledge of the form & signature of the child) liable? Or is the group liable?

I'm sorry if its a obtuse questions but I'm looking for clarification on it as a organiser for such a group.

Thank you!

darragh666

Im not sure what the answer to your question is but something that is worth noting about signing a wavier is that your not exactly agreeing to a legal contract not to sue. Your signing indicates that you are aware of the risks etc

For example if someone signed a wavier and used a false name it wouldnt necessary protect them.

I suppose that kind of logic would apply to your question but im not entirely sure.

ironclaw

darragh666 wrote: »

Im not sure what the answer to your question is but something that is worth noting about signing a wavier is that your not exactly agreeing to a legal contract not to sue. Your signing indicates that you are aware of the risks etc

For example if someone signed a wavier and used a false name it wouldnt necessary protect them.

I suppose that kind of logic would apply to your question but im not entirely sure.

I have heard that some arn't worth the paper they are on. However the good one's seem to be able to argue in court that the person claiming (For example broke there leg running through a forest) signed a form that specifically said that the activity was dangerous, in a wooden area, hazards etc so as such they were aware.

I'm not really looking to examine how water tight these forms are. What I want to know is, in a court of law, for a minor (someone under 18) who is ultimately responsible for signing that form? Them or guardians?

Evolute

If its a waiver for paintball or airsoft or any extreme sport or a sport with possible insurance liabilities.
Your legal guardians will have to sign the waiver If your under 18.
Infact if the waiver does'nt say that if your under 18 years of age that your parent or legal guardian must sign it.
Well that would be a pretty useless waiver in my opinion.