Does Signing a Waiver Mean You Can’t Sue a Camp if Your Child Is Injured?

From outdoor adventures to sports and arts programs, summer camps can provide children with a range of exciting and educational experiences. When parents send their children to summer camps, they expect the supervisor and camp counselors to take safety precautions to protect them from dangers. 

If an adult disregards safety rules, regulations, and a child’s specific needs, they may be held liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence. However, many parents sign liability waivers that may restrict their rights and ability to hold parties accountable. 

Can I Sue a Camp After I’ve Signed a Liability Waiver?

To answer these questions, you’ll need to take a closer look at the contents of the liability waiver. A liability waiver acts as protection against the summer camp and its staff from being held liable for injuries that occur during camp activities. Many parents believe that as soon as they sign these waivers, they lose the right to sue those responsible for the damages their child sustains. 

However, most New York courts will not enforce liability waivers that give up the right to sue when a child suffers severe injuries due to negligence. A court may invalidate a waiver if the document is overly ambiguous or is against public policy. These may occur if the document is not clearly worded or is written in a way that causes misinterpretation. 

Also,  liability waivers don’t protect summer camps or their staff from liability for injuries resulting from their own negligence or intentional misconduct. If your child’s injury resulted from the summer camp’s failure to provide adequate supervision, maintain equipment or facilities, or follow safety guidelines, you might have a valid compensation claim.

Compensation You May Recover After a Summer Camp Injury Accident

The summer camp and its staff have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care in providing campers a safe and secure environment. When they fail to provide protection and prevent an accident due to their negligence, parents have the right to pursue legal action. Some of the compensation they may recover in a summer camp injury claim includes:

• Pain and suffering
• Past and future medical expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation cost
• Emergency medical transportation fees
• Hospitalization bills
• Prescription medication bills
• Lost wages or income
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages
• Physical disfigurement and impairment

If your child is injured at summer camp, seek medical attention and document the incident as soon as possible. While this may be challenging since parents are often not at the accident scene, a summer camp injury lawyer has experience and resources to help gather evidence for your claim. As soon as possible, consult with a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and determine whether you may have a valid compensation claim.

Speak With an Experienced New York Summer Camp Accident Lawyer Today

Your ability to recover compensation and hold the camp accountable for the injuries they inflict on your child significantly depends on the content of the liability waiver and the type of accident. Without an experienced lawyer with extensive knowledge and resources, you may miss the legal issues within your claim and lose the compensation you deserve. 

The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe has over 100 years of combined experience protecting those within our community harmed by the negligence of others. We fight for our client’s rights and have recovered millions in compensation for previous clients. Find more legal resources by subscribing to our YouTube channel and speaking with one of our lawyers by calling 516-358-6900 or completing our contact form today.

For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900