North Carolina may allow a parent to sign away a minor’s right to sue for injuries when the minor is engaged in non-profit activities sponsored by schools, volunteers, or community organizations
Posted: November 23, 2011 Filed under: North Carolina, Youth Camps | Tags: Adventure travel, Camp Lejeune, JimMoss, Marines, Minor, NC, North Carolina, North Carolina Supreme Court, Ropes course Leave a commentKelly v. United States of America, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89741
However, the decision was not made by the North Carolina Supreme Court and not a ruling by the court and the actual legal issue.
In this case the plaintiff, a fifteen year old minor went on an orientation visit to Camp Lejeune as part of her Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at her high school. While participating in the confidence course (or what used to be called the obstacle course) she was injured. Her injuries were not identified in the lawsuit; however, she was suing for $10,000,000.00.
The minor could not attend the camp unless she and her mother signed the release.
The reason for the decision was based on the plaintiff’s motion to strike the defendants’ answers. This is a preliminary motion that attempts to knock out the specific defenses of the defendant. One of the defenses the plaintiff attempted to eliminate was the defense of release.
This order and decision from the court are not a final decision on the merits of the case. This is only a preliminary motion; however, it is interesting in how the court ruled on the issue of the mother signing the release.
So?
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The court reviewed release law in general and found that in North Carolina, releases are generally enforceable. Releases are strictly construed against the party attempting to enforce them (the defendants). To be valid in North Carolina a release cannot be enforced if it:
(1) is violative of a statute;
(2) is gained through inequality of bargaining power; or
(3) is contrary to a substantial public interest.
The release in this case did not violate any of the above three prohibitions.
The court then looked at whether the release signed by the minor plaintiff was valid. Under North Carolina law, like all other states, a release signed by a minor is voidable by the minor unless it meets rare exceptions. The exception to the contract prohibition is contracts for necessities or when a statute allows a minor to sign a contract. Here, neither of these issues was the reason the release was signed. So the release signed by the minor has no value and is void.
The court then looked at the release signed by the mother. The court found that a minority of states that had looked at the issue, had found releases for minors signed by parents so the minor could engage in “non-profit activities sponsored by schools, volunteers, or community organizations.”
The analysis then looked at whether the North Carolina Supreme Court would hold the same way. The activity the minor engaged in was extracurricular and voluntary and done for the benefit of the child. As such the court held the North Carolina Supreme Court would hold the release valid.
So Now What?
Before a rule, law can be cast in wet concrete (nothing is ever cast in stone) it must be decided by the highest court in the state. Here, the federal court looking at the issue made the decision. The North Carolina Supreme Court at some later time could decide that this is not the way it wants to rule.
Furthermore, the ruling is not that the release signed by the mother is valid. The ruling is the defense of release being argued by the defendant is not thrown out by the court. The legal issue of whether or not the release is a valid release under North Carolina law is still at issue.
The decision is important and will probably be followed later in the case, but there is no guaranty. However, it is a positive step to stop lawsuits.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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States that allow a parent to sign away a minor’s right to sue
Posted: November 23, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Minor, North Dakota, Wisconsin Leave a commentIf your state is not listed here, you should assume a parent cannot waive a minor’s right to sue in your state.
|
State |
By Statute |
Restrictions |
| Alaska | Alaska: Sec. 09.65.292 | Sec. 05.45.120 does not allow using a release by ski areas for ski injuries |
| Arizona | ARS § 12-553 | Limited to Equine Activities |
| Colorado | C.R.S. §§13-22-107 | Some commentators consider the statute a little weak |
| Florida | Florida Statute § 744.301 (3) | |
|
By Case Law |
||
| California | Hohe v. San Diego Unified Sch. Dist., 224 Cal.App.3d 1559, 274 Cal.Rptr. 647 (1990) | |
| Florida | Global Travel Marketing, Inc v. Shea, 2005 Fla. LEXIS 1454 | Allows a release signed by a parent to require arbitration of the minor’s claims |
| Florida | Gonzalez v. City of Coral Gables, 871 So.2d 1067, 29 Fla. L. Weekly D1147 | Release can be used for volunteer activities and by government entities |
| Massachusetts | Sharon v. City of Newton, 437 Mass. 99; 769 N.E.2d 738; 2002 Mass. LEXIS 384 | |
| Minnesota | Moore vs. Minnesota Baseball Instructional School, 2009 Minn. App. Unpub. LEXIS 299 | |
| North Dakota | McPhail v. Bismarck Park District, 2003 ND 4; 655 N.W.2d 411; 2003 N.D. LEXIS 3 | |
| Ohio | Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club, Inc., 696 N.E.2d 201, 82 Ohio St.3d 367 (1998) | Maybe only for non-profits |
| Wisconsin | Osborn v. Cascade Mountain, Inc., 655 N.W.2d 546, 259 Wis. 2d 481, 2002 Wisc. App. LEXIS 1216, 2003 WI App 1 | However the decision in Atkins v. Swimwest Family Fitness Center, 2005 WI 4; 2005 Wisc. LEXIS 2 voided all releases in the state |
|
On the Edge, but not enough to really rely on |
||
| North Carolina | Kelly v. United States of America, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89741 | Ruling is by the Federal District Court and only a preliminary motion |
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Texas makes it easier to write a release because the law is clear.
Posted: November 21, 2011 Filed under: Minors, Youth, Children, Summer Camp, Youth Camps | Tags: Minor, Releases / Waivers, Summer Camp, Texas Leave a commentGalvan, et al., v. The Salvation Army, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47257
Too bad no one read the law to the Salvation Army in this case.
This case was filed in the Federal District Court of the Southern District of Texas. The decision was based on a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by the plaintiff to throw out the defendant’s defense of release. Normally, these types of motions are filed by the defendants to end the litigation not by the plaintiff. There was also an issue of whether the charitable immunity statute applied to limit the damages in the case.
The facts which gave rise to the case are the defendants were parents of an eleven year-old boy who attended Camp Hoblitzelle which was owned and operated by the Salvation Army of Texas. While attending the camp the minor was riding a zip line when he fell 40-50’ suffering unnamed injuries.
There was a blank in the release where the activity the parties were releasing was to be filled in. The blank line in this case was filled in with the plaintiff’s name Cynthia Perez written in as the activity. The court took delight in pointing this out.
Summary of the case
The plaintiff filed their motion for summary judgment to eliminate the defense of release. The minor’s mother signed the Permission/Waiver Form for Residential Camps prior to the minor attending camp.
Under Texas law, there are two tests to determine if a release is valid; (1) the express negligence doctrine and (2) the conspicuousness requirement test.
“A release that fails to satisfy both of the two requirements is unenforceable as a matter of law.”
The Express Negligence Doctrine is:
The express negligence doctrine requires that a party’s intent to be released from the consequences of that party’s own negligence must be expressed in specific terms within the four corners of the release document.
The release in this case used the language “…hereby voluntarily releases The Salvation Army from any and all liability resulting from or arising in any manner whatsoever out of any participation in any Activity.” This language was not strict enough to place the signor on notice that they were giving up their legal rights according to the court.
The release was not clear. It did not state that the defendant was being released for its future negligence. Although there is no requirement that the word negligence be in the release and referenced, it is clear the release would be difficult to write without the word negligence. The court held the release at issue had no clear expression or language showing intent to release the defendant from its own negligence.
Consequently, the release failed the Express Negligence Doctrine.
The Conspicuousness requirement test requires.
… the releasing language must be conspicuously written, such that a reasonable person would have noticed it. Examples of conspicuous language include language that appears in contrasting type or color, in all capital letters, or otherwise calls attention to itself.
With regard to the conspicuousness, requirement test the court stated.
The release language is in the same font and font size as the remainder of the document. There is no bolding, underlining, or other mechanism to make the release language conspicuous. Instead, the release language is buried in a full page of single-spaced, small font size text.
Here is a great example that your release cannot hide the important legal language from anyone signing it.
The court also looked into the Charitable Immunity Act and held the issue was not ripe because whether or not the defendant was subject to the limitation of damages would not be an issue unless the plaintiff was able to recover an amount greater than the limitation of $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence.
The court also stated the Charitable Immunity Act did not apply to defendants whose “act or omission that is intentional, wilfully negligent, or done with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.” The plaintiff had plead actions of the defendant in almost identical language which was another issue making the issue not ripe for decision.
So Now What?
This decision is a road map on what not to do with a release in Texas.
1. Make sure your release states that it is a release and the person signing it is giving up their legal rights.
2. Make sure the language in the release is clear. The plaintiff is releasing you from liability for your negligence in advance of any injury. You are going to have to use the word negligence in your release.
3. The release language cannot be hidden. It must be set out in such a way that it is identifiable as something important that the signor needs to know about.
4. All blanks in the document need to be located in one place so it only takes a quick scan to make sure everything is completed properly.
5. Anything that can be completed by the defendant or filled in must be completed by the defendant.
6. Have an attorney that knows and understands your operation and the law affecting your business write your release.
Writing a release is not like cooking. When you cook you have to really screw up to make something that is not edible. (I’ve been single my entire life so my definition of edible may be different from yours……) Writing a release is a much more precise endeavor.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Galvan, et al., v. The Salvation Army, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47257
Posted: November 21, 2011 Filed under: Legal Case, Minors, Youth, Children, Summer Camp, Texas, Youth Camps | Tags: Minor, Releases / Waivers, Summer Camp 2 CommentsGalvan, et al., v. The Salvation Army, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47257
To read the analysis of this case see: Texas makes it easier to write a release because the law is clear.
Bruce Galvan, et al., Plaintiffs, v. The Salvation Army, Defendant.
CIVIL ACTION NO. H-10-3365
United States District Court For The Southern District Of Texas, Houston Division
2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47257
May 3, 2011, Decided
May 3, 2011, Filed
CORE TERMS: Charitable Immunity Act, summary judgment, Charitable, amount of damages, conspicuousness, premature, matter of law, own negligence, settlement, affirmative defense, font, charitable organization, liability insurance coverage, per person, per occurrence, notice requirements, bodily injury, jury verdict, conscious indifference, reckless disregard, self-insurance, conspicuous, discovery, retention, qualify, cap, insurance coverage, enforceable, undisputed, attended
COUNSEL: [*1] For Bruce Galvan, Individually and as Next Friend, Cynthia Perez, Individually And as Next Friend, Plaintiffs: John Paul Venzke, LEAD ATTORNEY, The Venzke Law Firm LLP, Houston, TX; Michael Andrew Fisher, Dyment & Fisher, Houston, TX.
For Salvation Army, Defendant: Teresa Jones Del Valle, LEAD ATTORNEY, Del Valle Law Firm, P.C., Houston, TX.
JUDGES: Nancy F. Atlas, United States District Judge.
OPINION BY: Nancy F. Atlas
OPINION
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This personal injury case is before the Court on the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Regarding Defendant’s Affirmative Defense of Release (“Release Motion”) [Doc. # 23] filed by Plaintiffs Bruce Galvan and Cynthia Perez. Defendant filed an Opposition [Doc. # 27], and Plaintiffs filed a Reply [Doc. # 28]. Also pending is Plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Regarding Defendant’s Defense of The Charitable Immunity and Liability Act of 1987 (“Charitable Immunity Motion”), to which Defendant filed an Opposition [Doc. # 29], and Plaintiffs filed a Reply [Doc. # 34]. Having reviewed the full record and having considered relevant legal authorities, the Court grants the Release Motion and denies without prejudice the Charitable Immunity Motion.
I.FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs [*2] Bruce Galvan and Cynthia Perez are parents of Plaintiff Christopher Galvan. Christopher was eleven years old when he attended Camp Hoblitzelle, a facility owned and operated by Defendant The Salvation Army. In June 2010, while at Camp Hoblitzelle, Christopher Galvan fell 40-50 feet from a zip-line and was seriously injured. Before Christopher attended Camp Hoblitzelle, Cynthia Perez signed a “Permission/Waiver Form for Residential Camps.” See Exh. A to Release Motion.
Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit seeking to recover from The Salvation Army for the injury to Christopher Galvan. Defendant has asserted the existence of the Release as an affirmative defense. Defendant has asserted also that The Charitable Immunity and Liability Act of 1987 (“Charitable Immunity Act”) limits its liability in this case to $500,000.00 per person and $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. Plaintiffs have moved for summary judgment on each of these arguments. The motions have been fully briefed.
II.STANDARD FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for the entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a sufficient showing [*3] of the existence of an element essential to the party’s case for which that party will bear the burden at trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986); Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 37 F.3d 1069, 1075 (5th Cir. 1994) (en banc); see also Baton Rouge Oil and Chem. Workers Union v. ExxonMobil Corp., 289 F.3d 373, 375 (5th Cir. 2002). In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the Court must determine whether the “pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322-23; Weaver v. CCA Indus., Inc., 529 F.3d 335, 339 (5th Cir. 2008). Summary judgment is an appropriate mechanism for resolving issues of law arising from a materially complete factual record. See Trevino v. Yamaha Motor Corp., 882 F.2d 182, 184 (5th Cir. 1989).
III.RELEASE MOTION
Defendant has asserted the existence of the Release signed by Cynthia Perez as an affirmative defense. Plaintiffs argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on the release defense because the Release in this case fails to satisfy the [*4] requirements for it to be enforceable.
Under Texas law, there are two fair notice requirements for release agreements: (1) the express negligence doctrine and (2) the conspicuousness requirement. See Storage & Processors, Inc. v. Reyes, 134 S.W.3d 190, 192 (Tex. 2004); Dresser Indus., Inc. v. Page Petroleum, Inc., 853 S.W.2d 505, 509 (Tex. 1993). The express negligence doctrine requires that a party’s intent to be released from the consequences of that party’s own negligence must be expressed in specific terms within the four corners of the release document. See Fisk Elec. Co. v. Constructors & Assocs., Inc., 888 S.W.2d 813, 814 (Tex. 1994); Ethyl Corp. v. Daniel Constr. Co., 725 S.W.2d 705, 708 (Tex. 1987). The conspicuousness requirement provides that the releasing language must be conspicuously written, such that a reasonable person would have noticed it. See Dresser, 853 S.W.2d at 511. Examples of conspicuous language include language that appears in contrasting type or color, in all capital letters, or otherwise calls attention to itself. See Reyes, 134 S.W.3d at 192 (citing Littlefield v. Schaefer, 955 S.W.2d 272, 274-75 (Tex. 1997)); Dresser, 853 S.W.2d at 511.
Compliance with [*5] the fair notice requirements is a question of law for the Court. Dresser, 853 S.W.2d at 509. A release that fails to satisfy both of the two requirements is unenforceable as a matter of law. Storage & Processors, 134 S.W.3d at 192. In this case, the Court concludes that the Release asserted by Defendant does not satisfy either requirement.
The Release provides that the signer “hereby voluntarily releases The Salvation Army from any and all liability resulting from or arising in any manner whatsoever out of any participation in any Activity.” See Release, Exh. 1 to Release Motion. As an initial matter, the Release purports to release Defendant from liability for injury suffered while participating in any “Activity.” The “Activity” is to be identified by filling in a blank line on the Release form. On the Release at issue in this case, the “Activity” line contains no identified activity but, instead, has “Cynthia Perez” written in as the “Activity.”
More importantly, the Release language does not specifically state that Defendant is being released from liability for its own future negligence. Indeed, there is no express mention of negligence at all. Although there is no requirement that [*6] the release contain the specific word “negligence,” the intent to release a party from liability for its own negligence must be clearly expressed. See Atlantic Richfield Co. v. Petroleum Personnel, Inc., 768 S.W.2d 724, 726 (Tex. 1989); Silsbee Hosp., Inc. v. George, 163 S.W.3d 284, 290 (Tex. App. — Beaumont 2005, review denied). In the Release at issue in this case, there is no clear expression of an intent to release Defendant from its own negligence in connection with Christopher Galvan’s participation in zip-lining.
The Release fails also to satisfy the conspicuousness requirement. The release language is in the same font and font size as the remainder of the document. There is no bolding, underlining, or other mechanism to make the release language conspicuous. Instead, the release language is buried in a full page of single-spaced, small font size text.
The Court concludes that the Release in this case does not satisfy the express negligence or conspicuousness requirements and, as a result, the Release is not enforceable as a matter of law.
IV.CHARITABLE IMMUNITY MOTION
The Charitable Immunity Act limits liability of a qualified charitable organization to $500,000.00 per person and [*7] $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 84.006. To qualify for the limitation, the charitable organization must have liability insurance coverage “in the amount of at least $500,000 for each person and $1,000,000 for each single occurrence for death or bodily injury . . ..” See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 84.007(g). The Charitable Immunity Act provides that the liability insurance coverage “may be provided under a contract of insurance or other plan of insurance authorized by statute and may be satisfied by the purchase of a $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage combined single limit policy.” See id.
Defendant asserts that it is entitled to the damages limitation of the Charitable Immunity Act. It is undisputed that Defendant has over $35,000,000.00 of insurance coverage. It is also undisputed, however, that the first $500,000.00 is in the form of a self-insurance retention and the next $4,500,000.00 is in the form of The Salvation Army’s Risk Trust. Plaintiffs argue that Defendant is not entitled to the damages limitation because Defendant is self-insured and self insurance does not meet the statutory requirement of the Charitable Immunity Act. 1
1 Plaintiffs [*8] also argue that Defendant is judicially estopped to assert the Charitable Immunity Act’s limitation because a different Salvation Army entity in Maine asserted in a lawsuit in 1997 that the Salvation Army entity in Maine did not have insurance coverage. The Court concludes on this limited record that Plaintiffs have not established an adequate factual basis for judicial estoppel to apply.
Plaintiffs in this case have not alleged an amount of damages. They allege that the amount in controversy is in excess of $75,000.00. See Amended Complaint [Doc. # 16], ¶ 1. Plaintiffs allege also that Christopher Galvan’s medical bills exceed $200,000.00. See id., ¶ 5. Thus, on this record, the specific amounts alleged by Plaintiffs do not exceed the Charitable Immunity Act’s limitation. Moreover, the amount of damages has not been established by either settlement or a jury award to be in excess of the Charitable Immunity Act’s limitation. As a result, the Court concludes that a decision on whether the limitation applies to a fully-funded self insurance retention is premature at this stage of the proceedings. See, e.g., Morgan v. Fellini’s Pizza, Inc., 64 F. Supp. 2d 1304, 1316, n.6 (N.D. Ga. 1999) [*9] (noting that a request for summary judgment as to whether a damages cap applies was premature); Rafferty v. Howard, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98423, 2010 WL 3768142, *1 (S.D. Miss. Sept. 20, 2010) (holding that preliminary ruling on whether statutory cap applies was premature). If there is a settlement or jury verdict for more than $1,000,000.00 in this case, the Court will at that time decide whether Defendant qualifies for the Charitable Immunity Act’s limitation.
Additionally, the Charitable Immunity Act provides that its limitations do not apply “to an act or omission that is intentional, wilfully negligent, or done with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.” See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 84.007(a). Plaintiffs specifically allege that Defendant’s actions in this case were “intentional, willfully negligent, or done with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of Christopher Galvan and others.” See Amended Complaint [Doc. # 16], ¶ 12. Should the jury find that Defendant’s actions were as alleged by Plaintiffs in paragraph 12 of the Amended Complaint, the issue regarding whether self-insurance satisfies the insurance requirement of the Charitable Immunity Act [*10] would become moot.
V.CONCLUSION AND ORDER
The release relied upon by Defendant satisfies neither the express negligence doctrine nor the conspicuousness requirement. As a result, there has been no effective release of Defendant for its alleged negligence in this case. Plaintiffs have not alleged an amount of damages and no amount of damages has been determined either through settlement or by jury verdict. As a result, it is premature to decide whether the Act limits the amount of damages recoverable in this case. It is, therefore,
ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Release Motion [Doc. # 23] is GRANTED and Plaintiffs’ Charitable Immunity Motion [Doc. # 26] is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE as premature.
SIGNED at Houston, Texas this 3rd day of May, 2011.
/s/ Nancy F. Atlas
Nancy F. Atlas
United States District Judge
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Poorly written release gave the plaintiffs the only chance they had to win
Posted: November 14, 2011 Filed under: Climbing Wall, Michigan | Tags: Climbing, Climbing Wall, Gross negligence, Lawsuit, Michigan, Negligence, Release, Summary judgment Leave a commentLucas v Norton Pines Athletic Club, Inc., 2010 Mich. App. LEXIS 1066
A release should be written to stop litigation, not encourage it.
Wood climbing wall at a camp in Wisconsin,USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In Lucas v. Norton Pines Athletic Club, Inc. the lawsuit stems from the plaintiff falling from the climbing wall in the club. The club was using auto-belay systems, which worked. However, the plaintiff failed to clip into the carabiner on the auto-belay.
When the plaintiff joined the athletic club, he signed a release titled Participant Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. To climb on the climbing wall, he had to sign a second release titled Climbing Wall Release of Liability.
The first release, the general club release had a clause that stated release specifically did not cover claims “arising from the willful or wanton negligence of Norton Pines Athletic Club or its officers, agents, or employees.”
The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment based on the releases. The court granted the motion for summary judgment. The plaintiff appealed. The only issue was whether the actions of the defendant were willful or wanton negligence.
The factual issue giving rise to the willful and wanton claim was the club had rules on how to use the climbing wall. The rules required that a member of the club had to have an employee of the club clip them and out of the carabiner before and after climbing.
The plaintiff was an accomplished climber and had developed a routine where he would look at the employee on duty who would visually inspect the carabiner connection to his harness and not physical inspect it.
The plaintiff on this climb did not check with the employee and climbed. Approximately, 20’ up the wall he fell to the ground.
So?
Under Michigan’s law, a release stops claims for ordinary negligence but not for gross negligence. Willful and wanton negligence is the same as gross negligence under Michigan’s law. See Utah’s decision upholds a release for simple negligence but not gross negligence in a ski accident, Good Release stops lawsuit against Michigan bicycle renter based on marginal acts of bicycle renter and Gross Negligence beats a release…but after the trial.
Willful or wanton negligence under Michigan’s law is “if the conduct alleged shows an intent to harm or if not that, such indifference to whether harm will result as to be the equivalent of a willingness that it does.”
One who is properly charged with recklessness or wantonness is not simply more careless than one who is only guilty of negligence. His conduct must be such as to put him in the class with the willful doer of wrong. The only respect in which his attitude is less blameworthy than that of the intentional wrongdoer is that, instead of affirmatively wishing to injure another, he is merely willing to do so. The difference is that between him who casts a missile intending that it shall strike another and him who casts it where he has reason to believe it will strike another, being indifferent whether it does so or not.”
Because the plaintiff’s only pleaded general negligence and reckless misconduct, the release stopped the claims. On top of that, there was no evidence that the club employee acted intentional or affirmatively, only negligently.
So Now What?
There were two major mistakes in this case that in another state or even another judge could have gone the wrong way.
First never tell the person signing your release how to sue you. You want the release to say to everyone who signs it, that you cannot be sued. If you tell them in the release, the release is not good against X, Y and Z, the claims of the plaintiff will be pled to show you did X, Y and Z. Why not, the plaintiff has nothing to lose. But, for the education you provided in the release, you would not have been sued.
Second if you make rules, they cannot be ignored. More so, when the rules you make are tied to your release. Here, the rule was that employees have to clip people in. If you make a rule, and you do not follow it, you set yourself up for a lawsuit.
Releases work if you do not do something that voids them. Always make sure when you have your release written that everything makes sense and does not create a situation where you can void your own release.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Lucas v Norton Pines Athletic Club, Inc., 2010 Mich. App. LEXIS 1066
Posted: November 14, 2011 Filed under: Climbing Wall, Legal Case, Michigan | Tags: Climbing Wall, Litigation, Release Leave a commentLucas v Norton Pines Athletic Club, Inc., 2010 Mich. App. LEXIS 1066
Clinton Lucas and Robyn Lucas, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v Norton Pines Athletic Club, Inc., and David Swinburne, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 289685
Court of Appeals of Michigan
2010 Mich. App. LEXIS 1066
June 10, 2010, Decided
NOTICE: THIS IS AN UNPUBLISHED OPINION. IN ACCORDANCE WITH MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS RULES, UNPUBLISHED OPINIONS ARE NOT PRECEDENTIALLY BINDING UNDER THE RULES OF STARE DECISIS.
PRIOR HISTORY: [*1]
Muskegon Circuit Court. LC No. 08-45745-NO.
CORE TERMS: misconduct, reckless, climbing, eye contact, recreational activity, climber, ordinary negligence, climb, auto-belay, protocol, harness, general negligence, wilful, posted, rock, assumption of risk, wanton negligence, negligence claims, citation omitted, co-participant, coparticipant, indifference, recklessness, casts, Climbing Wall Rules, acknowledgement, initiating, routine, tether, staff
JUDGES: Before: OWENS, P.J., and O’CONNELL and TALBOT, JJ.
OPINION
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiffs appeal as of right from the grant of summary disposition in favor of defendants pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7). We affirm.
This appeal arises from an accident that occurred at defendant Norton Pines Athletic Club (hereinafter “the Club”). Plaintiff Clinton Lucas (hereinafter “plaintiff”) suffered injuries after falling approximately 20 feet from the Club’s indoor rock climbing wall. At the time of the accident David Swinburne, an employee of the club, was monitoring the climbing wall.
When initiating their membership with the Club, plaintiffs executed a Participant Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement that provided, in relevant part, for a “release and . . . discharge” of the Club and its employees from any claims of injury “which may occur from any cause during such participation and/or use of the facilities.” The Release also included a specific acknowledgement that the member assumed the risk of participation in activities at the Club. However, the Release specifically did not cover claims “arising from the willful or wanton negligence of Norton Pines Athletic [*2] Club or its officers, agents, or employees.” In addition before engaging in climbing of the rock wall, each member of the Club was required to execute a Climbing Wall Release of Liability, which also included an acknowledgement regarding the assumption of risk of the member in participating in this activity and discharged the Club and its employees “from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action on account of injury or death to myself . . . which may occur from any cause during such participation and/or use of the facilities.” The Club also posted Climbing Wall Rules and Regulations, which required each member climbing the rock wall to wear a harness that must be attached with metal carabiners to tethers that descend from an auto-belay, or safety mechanism, which are secured to the wall. A climber’s release of his or her grip from the climbing wall engages the auto-belay mechanism, which serves to lower the climber in a slow and safe manner to the ground. The Club’s posted Climbing Wall Rules require that “[o]nly a Norton Pines staff member is allowed to hook and unhook climber to and from the belay,” and “[o]nly a Norton Pines staff is allowed to check the safety of [*3] equipment after it is put on.”
Plaintiff was an experienced climber and had developed a routine or practice with Swinburne that would permit plaintiff to secure his own clip onto the harness and ascend the wall after making eye contact with Swinburne to visually verify that plaintiff’s harness was properly attached to the auto-belay system. On the day of plaintiff’s fall, he and Swinburne had followed this routine a number of times. However, on his last climb, plaintiff ascended the wall without clipping the harness to the auto-belay system or making eye contact with Swinburne to indicate that he was initiating his climb. Swinburne was in the vicinity, but reading a magazine when plaintiff commenced his climb. Plaintiff lost his grip on the wall and, without attachment to the safety mechanism, fell approximately 20 feet to the ground, incurring injuries.
Plaintiffs filed suit against both Swinburne and the Club alleging several counts of general negligence and reckless misconduct. Defendants sought summary disposition, pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (C)(8), arguing there was no genuine issue of material fact based on plaintiff’s assumption of risk and the execution of valid releases [*4] and waivers. The trial court initially granted summary disposition only on plaintiffs’ general negligence claims and denied defendants’ request for the dismissal of plaintiffs’ reckless misconduct claim. On reconsideration the trial court subsequently dismissed plaintiffs’ reckless misconduct claim and this appeal ensued.
Initially, we note that the various waivers and releases signed by plaintiffs precluded his claims of ordinary negligence. Specifically, “A contractual waiver of liability also serves to insulate against ordinary negligence, but not gross negligence.” Xu v Gay, 257 Mich App 263, 269; 668 NW2d 166 (2003), citing Lamp v Reynolds, 249 Mich App 591, 594; 645 NW2d 311 (2002). Notably, the various releases signed by plaintiffs indicate a waiver of liability for general negligence but not “willful or wanton negligence” or misconduct, which is defined in case law as being established “if the conduct alleged shows an intent to harm or, if not that, such indifference to whether harm will result as to be the equivalent of a willingness that it does.” Xu, 257 Mich App at 269 n 3 (citation omitted).
Plaintiffs have pleaded only general negligence and reckless misconduct. On appeal, [*5] plaintiffs do not challenge the dismissal of their general negligence claims but assert error in the trial court’s grant of summary disposition on their claim of reckless misconduct. Plaintiffs contend that the trial court erred in limiting their claim of reckless misconduct only to injuries caused by a “co-participant” in a recreational activity rather than applying this standard to encompass all recreational activities as implied in Ritchie-Gamester v City of Berkley, 461 Mich 73, 89 n 9; 597 NW2d 517 (1999), which provided:
We recognize that we have stated this standard broadly as applying to all “recreational activities.” However, the precise scope of this rule is best established by allowing it to emerge on a case-by-case basis, so that we might carefully consider the application of the recklessness standard in various factual contexts.
Contrary to plaintiffs’ position, the Court’s ruling in Ritchie-Gamester was very specific, stating in relevant part:
[W]e conclude that coparticipants in a recreational activity owe each other a duty not to act recklessly. Because the trial court properly concluded that plaintiff could not show that defendant violated this standard, summary disposition [*6] was proper. [Id. at 95 (emphasis added).]
Based on the factual circumstances of this case, there is no basis to assert reckless misconduct as a basis for imposition of liability as Swinburne is merely the employee of a venue housing a recreational activity and not a coparticipant. Accordingly, the trial court correctly found that the case at hand is not analogous to Ritchie-Gamester and properly dismissed plaintiffs’ claim of reckless misconduct.
Further, even if Swinburne could be construed as a co-participant, his failure to act does not rise to the level of reckless misconduct, which is defined as:
“One who is properly charged with recklessness or wantonness is not simply more careless than one who is only guilty of negligence. His conduct must be such as to put him in the class with the wilful doer of wrong. The only respect in which his attitude is less blameworthy than that of the intentional wrongdoer is that, instead of affirmatively wishing to injure another, he is merely willing to do so. The difference is that between him who casts a missile intending that it shall strike another and him who casts it where he has reason to believe it will strike another, being indifferent whether [*7] it does so or not.” [Behar v Fox, 249 Mich App 314, 319; 642 NW2d 426 (2002) (citations omitted).]
There was no evidence presented of any affirmative or assertive behaviors by Swinburne to support an assertion of reckless conduct. At most, Swinburne was negligent because he was inattentive to plaintiff’s activity at the initiation of his climb. Swinburne’s complicit participation with plaintiff in ignoring the rules and regulations for the rock-climbing wall could only be construed as ordinary negligence based on their having established a mechanism or procedure to assure plaintiff’s safety while climbing. While the procedure followed deviated from the Club’s policy it does not evidence a level of willfulness or indifference necessary to establish reckless misconduct.
Plaintiffs also contend that the trial court erred by making findings of fact and failing to construe the evidence most favorably to the party opposing summary disposition. A trial court may not make findings of fact or weigh credibility in deciding a motion for summary disposition, and all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the nonmovant. Amerisure Ins Co v Plumb, 282 Mich App 417, 431; 766 NW2d 878 (2009). [*8] Defendants sought summary disposition in accordance with MCR 2.116(C)(7). In deciding a motion based on that sub-rule, a trial court may consider “affidavits, depositions, admissions, or other documentary evidence” that would be admissible at trial. MCR 2.116(G)(2); Odom v Wayne Co, 482 Mich 459, 466; 760 NW2d 217 (2008).
Specifically, plaintiffs argue that the trial court erroneously found, as an undisputed fact, that plaintiff and Swinburne had adopted an “eye contact protocol” and that reasonable minds could not conclude that Swinburne’s behavior had exceeded ordinary negligence. According to plaintiffs, acceptance of the use of an “eye contact protocol” is contrary to the facts established by the record based on the Club having established and posted a formal procedure for securing climbers in its “Climbing Wall Rules & Regulations” coupled with Swinburne’s acknowledgment that this policy was mandatory and that he lacked the authority to override or ignore that policy.
Swinburne and plaintiff both admitted that the procedure they had adopted using eye contact was a deviation from the Club’s written rules. However, Swinburne and plaintiff also testified that they believed the “eye [*9] contact protocol” was appropriate due to plaintiff’s climbing experience and because it achieved the intended goal of verifying that plaintiff was properly attached to the tether. The trial court properly considered this evidence and construed it in a light most favorable to plaintiff. The only reasonable construction of the evidence was that Swinburne and plaintiff had developed their own protocol to insure that plaintiff was securely attached to the safety mechanism, albeit contrary to the Club’s rules and regulations. This did not comprise improper fact-finding by the trial court.
Affirmed.
/s/ Donald S. Owens
/s/ Peter D. O’Connell
/s/ Michael J. Talbot
GCY Confluence Award Winner Announced
Posted: November 11, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment
Forgetting your beacon is manslaughter in Europe….if you wife dies in an Avalanche
Posted: November 9, 2011 Filed under: Avalanche Leave a commentVerdict confuses everyone
In what many are calling a crazy decision, a man has been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to three months of prison, suspended for allowing his wife to ski without an avalanche beacon.
Both were experienced skiers, he more than her. He triggered a slab avalanche which buried he.
The slide occurred on a 35° slope the risk was given as Considerable (3/5). The lack of beacon seriously delayed finding the victim even when rescue services arrived on the scene. The 58 year old woman had suffered from serious head injuries after being buried over a meter in dense snow.
Because the woman was not wearing a beacon the rescue took a considerable amount of time.
The deicison has left many people very confused in Austria.
Michael Larcher, director of education of the Austrian Alpine Association has questioned the verdict. He points out that although the woman was less experienced than her husband they had been touring together for years, “she was no beginner but had enough personal knowledge to know to turn on her beacon. Given that the lack of beacon was the main reason for the verdict, in my opinion, you cannot put all the responsibility on the husband, it is an issue of personal responsibility”
Estolf Müller, representing the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service said that “judging who is experienced is legally very difficult, I’m really sceptical when the courts intervene in a private sport so long as innocent bystanders are not endangered. When you go into the backcountry everyone has to be responsible for themselves.”
So?
The man in this case may also be facing a civil suit by the family on top of losing his wife. Personally, I think this is a little extreme. However it points out the differences between the United States and Europe.
Most European countries are based on a criminal system to enforce the standards of care. If you do not take care of someone you face jail time.
In the US we rely on a civil litigation system. If you do not take care of someone you face a lawsuit. Only in extreme cases where your actions are so bad or intentional can you face losing your freedom in the US. I show it visually this way.
The Red Column is the amount of proof needed to convict in a Criminal Case. The Blue Column is the amount of proof needed to win a civil case.
The US is based on a system that personal freedom is important and society, not the government should decide when someone has injured another. In Europe, the government is in charge of deciding the wrongs and rights of all of society.
For articles about this see Another Litigation versus Criminal example and Litigation v. Jail Time.
To see the article go to 3 months suspended sentence for forgetting beacon
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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It’s Snowing! Register for the 2012 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo
Posted: November 8, 2011 Filed under: Skiing / Snow Boarding Leave a comment
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Four releases signed and all of them thrown out because they lacked one simple sentence!
Posted: November 7, 2011 Filed under: Indiana, Jurisdiction and Venue (Forum Selection), Ohio, Tennessee | Tags: Gymnastics, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Trampoline, United States district court 4 CommentsThis is a sad case stemming from the death of young man who had traveled from Ohio
Photograph of girls performing synchronized trampoline at WAGC in Quebec November 2007. Trampqueen 21:52, 15 November 2007 (UTC) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
to Tennessee to participate in a gymnastic event, the John Macready Flip Fest Invitational in Knoxville. The deceased was an experienced participant on the trampoline. During the event, he fell off the trampoline hitting the concrete floor with his head.
Summary of the case
So Now What?
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Bonne, et al., v. Premier Athletics, LLC, et al., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77802
Posted: November 7, 2011 Filed under: Jurisdiction and Venue (Forum Selection), Legal Case, Sports, Tennessee | Tags: Gymnastics, Jurisdiction, Minor, Release, Top Flight T&T Boosters, Trampline, USA Gymnastics, Venue Leave a commentBonne, et al., v. Premier Athletics, LLC, et al., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77802
Matthew R. Bonne, et al., Plaintiffs, v. Premier Athletics, LLC, et al., Defendants.
No. 3:04-CV-440
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77802
October 23, 2006, Filed
SUBSEQUENT HISTORY: Motion granted by, in part, Motion denied by, in part Bonne v. Premier Ath., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79956 (E.D. Tenn., Oct. 29, 2007)
CORE TERMS: gymnastic, summary judgment, sanctioned, wrongful death, membership, athlete, guardian, trampoline, booster, choice of law, significant relationship, decedent’s, sibling, place of business, moving party, non-moving, competed, death action, reckless conduct, exculpatory clause, gross negligence, surviving spouse, superior right, deceased, spotters, matting, registration form, paralysis, sponsor, host
COUNSEL: [*1] For Matthew R Bonne, Individually next friend Jordan T Bonne, Shirley K Bonne, Individually, next friend, Jordan T Bonne, next friend, Aaron Bonne, next friend, Brooke Bonne, next friend Trey Bonne, next friend, Andrew Bonne, Plaintiff: Stephen E Yeager, Lowe & Yeager, Knoxville, TN.
For Premier Athletics, LLC, doing business as, Premier Gymnastics and Tumbling Center, Defendant: John W Baker, Jr, Baker, O’Kane, Atkins & Thompson, Knoxville, TN.
For USA Gymnastics, United States Gymnastics Federation, Defendant: Samuel W Rutherford, Stokes & Rutherford, Knoxville, TN.
JUDGES: Thomas W. Phillips, United States District Judge.
OPINION BY: Thomas W. Phillips
OPINION
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This a wrongful death case involving parties with diversity under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Defendants, Premier Athletics, LLC, USA Gymnastics and United States Gymnastics Federation, have moved for summary judgment as to plaintiffs’ claims. The parties have filed extensive briefs pertaining to the motion for summary judgment in which they have fully briefed all of the issues and submitted record evidence in support of the parties’ positions. The court has reviewed the briefs and [*2] evidence submitted, and does not feel that oral argument is necessary. For the reasons which follow, the motion will be granted as to the claims of Aaron Bonne, Brooke Bonne, Trey Bonne, and Andrew Bonne. In all other respects, the motion will be denied.
Background
This case involves a tragic accident that occurred on January 17, 2004, during the John Macready Flip Fest Invitational in Knoxville, Tennessee. The plaintiffs’ son, Jordan Bonne, was competing in a trampoline event when he fell off the trampoline, hitting his head on the concrete floor. Jordan died from his injuries two days later.
Defendant, Premier Athletics, was the host organization, sponsor and facilitator of the event, which was sanctioned by USA Gymnastics (USAG). Defendants USAG and the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) are the national governing bodies for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. Their principal place of business is in Indiana but they sanction gymnastic events all over the United States. At the time of the accident, Jordan was classified as a junior elite trampolinist according to USAG. Junior elite is the second highest classification in USAG sanctioned competition. [*3] Jordan had competed in numerous local, state and national competitions, and had recently competed internationally in his age group. Jordan competed in both the synchronized and individual trampoline events. The day before the accident, Jordan had competed in synchronized trampoline competition at Flip Fest.
Jordan was a member of the Top Flight Gymnastics Team. Jordan was also a member of USAG. In order for a gymnast to compete in a USAG sanctioned event, USAG requires all participants to be a member of USAG. For membership, USAG requires athletes to complete an “Athlete Member Application” every year. Membership is required to compete in USAG sanctioned events. Section Five of the membership application directs parents to read the reverse side of the application. Paragraph 3 of Section 5 includes the following language:
WAIVER AND RELEASE. I am fully aware of and appreciate the risks, including the risk of catastrophic injury, paralysis, and even death, as well as other damages and losses associated with participation in a gymnastics event. I further agree that USA Gymnastics, the host organization, and sponsor(s) of any USA Gymnastics sanctioned event, along with the [*4] employees, agents, officers and directors of the organization, shall not be liable for any losses or damages occurred as a result of my participation in the event, except for such loss or damage as the result of the intentional or reckless conduct of one of the organizations or individuals identified above.
Section 6 of the Athlete Member Application provides as follows:
All signatures required for acceptance of membership . . .
Required for any athlete who is not yet eighteen years old: As legal parent or guardian of this athlete, I hereby verify by my signature below, that I fully understand and accept each of the conditions listed in the Athlete Membership Agreement as described in Section Five for permitting my child to participate in any USA Gymnastics sanctioned event.
This 2004 membership application was signed by Jordan’s mother, Shirley Bonne in December 2003. Mrs. Bonne stated that she most likely signed the document in Kentucky as it was her habit to do so. In previous years, Shirley Bonne had signed similar forms containing the same waiver and release language. Jordan had also signed forms with identical waiver and release language in the past.
[*5] Top Flight Gymnastics had a similar waiver and release in its registration form. The Top Flight Gymnastics registration form provided:
As legal guardian of Jordan Bonne, I hereby consent to the above person’s participation in Top Flight Gymnastics’ programs, I recognize that potentially severe injuries, including permanent paralysis or death can occur in any activity involving height or motion, including gymnastics and related activities, including tumbling and trampoline.
I understand that it is the express intent of Top Flight Gymnastics to provide for the safety and protection of my child, and, in consideration for allowing my child to use these facilities, I hereby forever release Top Flight Gymnastics, its officers, employees, teachers, and coaches, from all liability for any and all damages and injuries suffered by my child while under the instruction, supervision, or control of Top Flight Gymnastics or its employees.
. . .
This acknowledgment of risk and waiver of liability, having been read thoroughly and understood completely, is signed voluntarily as to its content and intent.
This waiver and release was signed by Shirley Bonne on January 7, 1999.
[*6] Top Flight T&T, a booster club that supported Top Flight Gymnastics required a similar waiver and release for athletes who participated in its programs. This waiver and release stated:
As legal guardian of Jordan Bonne, I hereby consent to the above person’s participation in Top Flight’s T&T Boosters programs. I recognize that potentially severe injuries, including permanent paralysis or death can occur in any activity involving height or motion, including tumbling and trampoline.
I understand that it is the express intent of Top Flight T&T Boosters to provide for the safety and protection of my child, and, in consideration for allowing my child to use these facilities, I hereby forever release the Top Flight T&T Boosters, its officers, employees, teachers and coaches from all liability for any and all damages and injuries sustained by my child while under the instruction, supervision, or control of Top Flight T&T Boosters or its employees.
. . .
This acknowledgment of risk and waiver of liability, having been read thoroughly and understood completely, is signed voluntarily as to its content and intent.
Matthew Bonne, Jordan’s father, had also signed similar [*7] waiver and release forms for Jordan. He testified via deposition that he “probably” signed the Top Flight Registration Form. He acknowledged that he signed the booster club form. In the case of both these forms, he stated that he did not recall whether he read them before signing. Matthew Bonne traveled with his son on several occasions to different gymnastics events, including one that was held in Russia. He also attended several of Jordan’s practices.
As a result of the accident at Flip Fest on January 19, 2004, plaintiffs filed the instant action for the wrongful death of Jordan. The plaintiffs are residents of Ohio. In their complaint, Matthew and Shirley Bonne, individually and as next friends, parents and natural guardians of Jordan, sued Premier, USAG and USGF. Further, the Bonnes, as next friends, parents and guardians of Aaron Bonne, Brooke Bonne, Trey Bonne and Andrew Bonne (Jordan’s siblings) sued defendants contending that USAG and USGF were negligent in that they sanctioned an event which failed to provide a safe environment, utilized untrained spotters, failed to ensure sufficient floor matting, failed to require experienced and trained spotters, and failed to require [*8] sufficient safety matting. As a result of defendants’ alleged negligence, plaintiffs seek damages including parental and sibling consortium, expenses, and the pecuniary value of Jordan’s life.
Defendants USAG and USGF have moved for summary judgment asserting that the releases signed by Shirley and Matthew Bonne bar all claims against defendants. The releases exclude USAG and USGF from any liability resulting from injuries occurring in sanctioned events. As the host organization, sponsor and facilitator of the Flip Fest event, Premier is also expressly excluded from liability.
Analysis
Rule 56(c), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, provides that summary judgment will be granted by the court only when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The burden is on the moving party to conclusively show that no genuine issue of material fact exists. The court must view the facts and all inferences to be drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S. Ct. 1348, 89 L. Ed. 2d 538 (1986); Morris to Crete Carrier Corp., 105 F.3d 279, 280-81 (6th Cir. 1987); [*9] White v. Turfway Park Racing Ass’n, Inc., 909 F.2d 941, 943 (6th Cir. 1990); 60 lvy Street Corp. v. Alexander, 822 F.2d 1432, 1435 (6th Cir. 1987). Once the moving party presents evidence sufficient to support a motion under Rule 56, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the non-moving party is not entitled to a trial simply on the basis of allegations. The non-moving party is required to come forward with some significant probative evidence which makes it necessary to resolve the factual dispute at trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986); White, 909 F.2d at 943-44. The moving party is entitled to summary judgment if the non-moving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of its case with respect to which it has the burden of proof. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323; Collyer v. Darling, 98 F.3d 211, 220 (6th Cir. 1996).
Choice of Law
Defendants argue that Ohio law should apply to the interpretation of the USAG membership application which contains an exculpatory clause. Plaintiffs, on the other hand, argue that Tennessee [*10] law is the correct choice of law to apply to determine the rights and liabilities of the parties. Plaintiffs further argue that Tennessee public policy prohibits the enforcement of exculpatory clauses by parents on behalf of their minor children and thus, the USAG waiver is void in this case.
The plaintiffs reside in Ohio. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment states that Mrs. Bonne completed and signed Jordan’s USAG member application in Ohio. However, Mrs. Bonne stated in her affidavit, that she most likely signed the application in Kentucky, where the Top Flight gym is located. The application was sent to and received by USAG in Indiana.
A federal court in a diversity case applies the law of the state in which the court sits, including the state’s choice of law rules. Davis v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., 873 F.2d 888, 892 (6th cir. 1989)(citing Erie R.R.Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 58 S. Ct. 817, 82 L. Ed. 1188 (1938). It is not clear from the defendants’ motion whether they dispute that plaintiffs’ tort claims are to be analyzed under applicable Tennessee law. However, they do dispute whether Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, or Tennessee law governs the analysis of the release and [*11] waiver provisions at issue. Defendants assert in their motion that this is a contract dispute which should be analyzed under Tennessee’s choice of law rules related to contract claims. The court disagrees. This is a wrongful death action based upon tort, not contract. As regards the effect of the waiver and release between the parties, it will be determined by the law that governs the substantive tort rights of the parties.
The Tennessee Supreme Court in Hataway v. McKinley, 830 S.W.2d 53 (Tenn. 1992), adopted the “most significant relationship” approach of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws, § 175, to determine the rights and liabilities of the parties in a wrongful death case. Section 175 provides:
In an action for wrongful death, the local law of the state where the injury occurred determines the rights and liabilities of the parties unless, with respect to the particular issue, some other state has a more significant relationship under the principles stated in § 6 to the occurrence and the parties, to which event the local law of the other state will be applied.
The accident causing Jordan’s [*12] death occurred at the Flip Fest in Knoxville, Tennessee. Thus, under the “most significant relationship” test, Tennessee law applies unless another state has a more significant relationship. To determine if another state has a more significant relationship, § 145 of the Restatement provides factors to be weighed and balanced. Those factors are (1) the place where the injury occurred, (2) the place where the conduct causing the injury occurred, (3) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties, and (4) the place where the relationship, if any, between the parties is centered.
Applying this test to the instant case, as stated above, Tennessee is where the injury and death occurred. Second, Tennessee is the place where the conduct causing the injury occurred. Third, the plaintiffs are residents of Ohio, USAG and USGF have their principal place of business in Indiana, but they sanction gymnastic events all over the United States. Premier is a Tennessee limited liability company with its principal place of business in Knoxville, Tennessee. Last, the relationship between the parties was centered in Tennessee because Jordan’s death occurred [*13] while he was participating in Flip Fest in Knoxville. The Flip Fest competition in Knoxville was the only mutual and central contact these parties had with one another. Therefore, it is clear that Tennessee is the state that has the “most significant relationship” with the parties in this case. Thus, Tennessee choice of law rules dictate that Tennessee tort law applies.
In a tort action, the effect of a release between the parties is determined by the law that governs the substantive tort rights of the parties. Mackey v. Judy’s Foods, Inc., 867 F.2d 325, 328 (6th Cir. 1989)(citing to Restatement (Second) of Conflicts of Laws, § 170, Comment b). As Tennessee law governs the rights and liabilities of the parties in the tort action, Tennessee law will also be applied to interpret the effect of the release and waiver provisions in the USAG application.
Effect of Waiver & Release
In Childress v. Madison County, 777 S.W.2d 1 (Tenn.App. 1989), the Tennessee Court of Appeals noted that “[t]he general rule is that a guardian may not waive the rights of an infant or an incompetent.” Id. at 6 [*14] (citing 39 Am.Jur.2d Guardian & Ward, § 102 (1968); 42 Am.Jur.2d Infants § 152 (1969)). As in Childress, Jordan’s rights could not be contracted away by his mother in the State of Tennessee. It is Tennessee’s stated public policy to protect minors and prohibit exculpatory releases for them. Mrs. Bonne could not execute a valid release or exculpatory clause as to the rights of her son against USAG, or anyone else, and to the extent the parties to the release attempted and intended to so do, the release is void.
Moreover, exculpatory clauses purporting to contract against liability for intentional conduct, recklessness or gross negligence are unenforceable. See Childress, 777 S.W.2d at 5; Adams v. Roark, 686 S.W.2d 73 (Tenn. 1985). Plaintiffs’ complaint alleges defendants’ failure to provide a safe environment, failure to utilize trained spotters, and failure to ensure sufficient safety matting, all constitute gross negligence and reckless conduct. Defendants have not challenged these allegations in their motion for summary judgment. Thus, accepting plaintiffs’ allegations [*15] as true, the release at issue here would not shield defendants for liability for their gross negligence and reckless conduct. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for summary judgment based on the waiver and release will be denied.
Claims of Jordan’s Siblings
Defendants assert that since both Jordan’s parents are living and are named , as plaintiffs in this actions, no right to sue on Jordan’s behalf has passed to his siblings. Thus, the claims of Aaron Bonne, Brooke Bonne, Trey Bonne and Andrew Bonne, should be dismissed as a matter of law.
The statutes permitting an action for the wrongful death of another create “no right of action existing independently of that which the deceased would have had, had he survived.” Rogers v. Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, 807 S.W.2d 242, 245 (Tenn.App. 1990); Memphis St. Ry. Co., v. Cooper, 313 S.W.2d 444, 447, 203 Tenn. 425 (1958). Although living beneficiaries of the deceased may seek a limited recovery for their own losses in addition to those of the decedent, see Hill v. City of Germantown, 31 S.W.3d 234, 239 (Tenn. 2000); Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hosp., 984 S.W.2d 593, 598 (Tenn. 1999), [*16] the right of action itself remains one that is “single, entire and indivisible.” See Wheeler v. Burley, 1997 Tenn. App. LEXIS 578, No. 01A01-9701-CV-00006 (Tenn.App. Aug. 27, 1997). Therefore, “there can be but one cause of action for the wrongful death of another.” Matthews v. Mitchell, 705 S.W.2d 657, 660 (Tenn.App. 1985).
Because multiple actions may not be brought to resolve a single wrongful death claim, the statutes carefully prescribe the priority of those who may assert the action on behalf of the decedent and any other beneficiaries. In a dispute between the surviving spouse and the children of the decedent as to who may maintain the action, the surviving spouse clearly has “the prior and superior right above all others.” Foster v. Jeffers, 813 S.W.2d 449, 451 (Tenn.App. 1991); see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-107. In fact, the children of a deceased may maintain an action only if the decedent is not survived by a spouse or if the surviving spouse has waived his or her right of priority. Id. Applying Tennessee law to the instant case, the court finds that Jordan’s parents have a superior right, as opposed to Jordan’s siblings, [*17] to maintain this cause of action against defendants for the wrongful death of Jordan.
Recognizing that a claim for loss of consortium does not represent a claim for damages separate from the wrongful death action itself, but rather embodies one component of the decedent’s pecuniary value of life, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that a trial court should dismiss any other pending wrongful death actions upon proper filing of an action by party holding a superior right. See Kline v. Eyrich, 69 S.W.3d 197, 208 (Tenn. 2002). Accordingly, because Jordan’s parents have the superior right to maintain this action, the court will dismiss the claims of Aaron Bonne, Brooke Bonne, Trey Bonne, and Andrew Bonne.
Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, defendants’ joint motion for summary judgment [Doc. 16] is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. The motion is GRANTED as to the claims of Aaron Bonne, Brooke Bonne, Trey Bonne, and Andrew Bonne. In all other respects, the motion is DENIED. The parties will prepare the case for trial.
The parties motions for oral argument on the summary judgment motion [Docs. 28, 33] are DENIED.
ENTER:
[*18] s/ Thomas W. Phillips
United States District Judge
“WAKE UP BRECK” JUMP STARTS THE 50th ANNIVERSARY SKI SEASON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 AT BRECKENRIDGE COFFEE SHOPS
Posted: November 6, 2011 Filed under: Ski Area Leave a commentFree Coffee!
Breckenridge’s 50th Anniversary Season Starts 11/11/11
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AAC Hiring & Join Us for Adventure Film Fest
Posted: November 6, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment
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2012 Cycling Race Calendar Finalized
Posted: November 5, 2011 Filed under: Cycling Leave a commentThe 2012 USA Cycling Racing Calendar is out.
March 22-25: Redlands Bicycle Classic (2.2), Redlands, CA – men and women
April 26-29: Joe Martin Stage Race p/b Nature Valley (2.3), Fayetteville, AR – men and women
May 2-6: SRAM Tour of the Gila (2.2), Silver City, NM – men and women
June 3: Liberty Classic (1.HC) – Philadelphia, PA – women
June 13-17: Nature Valley Grand Prix (2.1), MN – men and women
July 17-22: Cascade Classic Stage Race (2.2), Bend, OR – men and women
Aug. 3-5: Tour of Elk Grove (2.3), IL – women only
Aug. 21-23: Aspen/Snowmass Pro Women’s Race (2.5.2), Aspen, CO – women only
Sept. 15: Univest Grand Prix (1.HC), Souderton, PA – men only
2012 National Criterium Calendar
March 31: Cigar City Brewing Criterium (1.4), Tampa, FL – men only
April 14: Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium (1.1), Charlotte, NC – men and women
April 21: Sunny King Criterium (1.3), Anniston, AL – men and women
May 4-6: USA CRITS Speedweek (2.5.2), SC and GA – men and women
May 6: Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling (1.2), Dana Point, CA – men only
May 12: Tour de Grove (1.2), St. Louis, MO – men and women
May 19: Wilmington Grand Prix (1.3), Wilmington, DE – men and women
May 28: Tour of Somerville (1.2), Somerville, NJ – men only
May 31: Base Camp International p/b Verizon Wireless (1.3), Basking Ridge, NJ – men only
June 2: Glencoe Grand Prix (1.3), Glencoe, IL – men and women
June 8-10: Saint Francis Tulsa Tough (2.5.1), Tulsa, OK – men and women
June 9-10: Air Force Cycling Classic (2.5.1), Arlington, VA – men and women
June 17: Harlem Skyscraper Criterium (1.4), Manhattan, NY – men only
June 28-July 1: Tour of America’s Dairyland (2.5.2), WI – men and women
July 8: Manhattan Beach Grand Prix (1.2), Manhattan Beach, CA – men only
July 14: Exergy Twilight Criterium (1.2), Boise, ID – men and women
July 28: Herman Miller Grand Cycling Classic (1.2), Grand Rapids, MI – women only
Aug. 25-26: Chris Thater Memorial (1.2), Binghampton, NY – men and women
Sept. 23: TD Bank Mayors Cup (1.4), Boston, MA – men and women
To see more information about the races go to: USA Cycling reveals 2012 racing calendars. The Criterium calendar and information can be found at: USA Cycling adds criterium calendar.
The information on the USA Cycling site can be found at: National Racing Calendar (NRC) and 2012 Nat’l Racing Calendar, Nat’l Criterium Calendar unveiled.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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Get pedaling: It’s a political ad, but it has a lot of truth in it!
Posted: November 4, 2011 Filed under: Cycling Leave a comment
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James,
My favorite memory from the summer was — hands down — Colorado hosting the USA Pro Challenge.
It was a wonderful event that attracted the best cyclists in the world to altitudes many had never been before. For seven days, the pro riders crisscrossed Colorado’s beautiful landscapes as hundreds of thousands of tourists and fans watched from the roadside.
The race was a marvel of human endurance and sheer athleticism. None of the stages were easy — something I learned firsthand when the race organizers let me ride the time trial course in Vail.
 Truth be told, my pace was somewhere between the speed of eventual stage winner Levi Leipheimer (ahem) and….well… a giraffe on roller-skates. But for a guy who is more at home on a scooter, it was pretty cool.
All that aside, attracting world-class events like the USA Pro Challenge brings national exposure to our cities and towns, boosts our economy, and shows the rest of the country what a wonderful place Colorado is to live, work, and play.
In fact, the race pumped over $83 million into Colorado’s economy and was a huge boon for our small towns along the race route.
We need more of that.
As more people see what a great place Colorado is, they are going to visit more and bring new business here. In fact, we’ve already had success doing just that. In the last month, Colorado has become the home to both GE Solar and Arrow Electronics, two companies that will put thousands of Coloradans to work.
And it’s no accident either.
Making Colorado competitive has been a goal of ours since the very early days of our small but mighty campaign. It’s why we developed the Colorado Blueprint for economic development. The Blueprint represents the insights and participation of nearly 10,000 Coloradans in all 64 counties. It’s a “bottom-up” plan that focuses on local and regional collaboration.
It reminds me of what a “peloton” does during a bike race.
A “peloton” is the formal name for a large group of cyclists who band together and ride very close to one another to reduce drag and save energy for later in the race. Individual riders even take turns battling the wind at the front of the pack so the others can rest.
That’s not just a strategy for winning professional bike races. In many ways “collaboration” is the new “competition.” While small business owners may not wear spandex, they know that smart collaboration — just like the peloton — is a winning strategy for economic development.
Our “Bottom-up” plan also establishes measurable guideposts — just like a bike race — so we can track our progress, identify obstacles to job creation (like red tape and inefficient regulation), and identify opportunities to attract new companies and investment in the businesses already here.
While we are on the subject of bike races, we’ve been thinking about taking this experience to the Eastern Plains. How cool would it be to bring the bike enthusiam we saw during the USA Pro Challenge to this part of Colorado? There are great vistas, fewer hills to get over for novice bikers like me, and some of the most hospitable people in America.
We’re still working through all the details, but stay tuned to hear about our idea for a “Pedal on the Plains” ride next year.
Talk to you soon.
Sincerely,
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Paid for by Hickenlooper for Colorado
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Avalanche Center Newsletter #01
Posted: November 4, 2011 Filed under: Avalanche, Skiing / Snow Boarding Leave a comment
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Recurring donations: I would like to donate: 100.0050.0020.0010.005.00 every 1234 MonthsWeeksYearsDays 
USA Cycling to host cyclo-cross race in Colorado Springs
Posted: November 4, 2011 Filed under: Cycling Leave a comment
Business Opportunity Announced for Bicycle and Food Services on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
Posted: November 3, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment ![clip_image001[4]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4tnGBtEr_wY/TrDC0f2DERI/AAAAAAAAAvg/BSJFifjcJlM/s1600-h/clip_image00142.gif "clip_image001[4]"){kind=small} |
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![clip_image003[4]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8d5ap_ds5YE/TrDC1aCygxI/AAAAAAAAAvw/VnMsW_YkmwA/s1600-h/clip_image00342.jpg "clip_image003[4]") |
Grand Canyon News Release
![clip_image004[4]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOWbQ3CZhj4/TrDC2zQ5atI/AAAAAAAAAwA/4ZdenzKO2X0/s1600-h/clip_image00442.gif "clip_image004[4]"){kind=small}
Business Opportunity Announced for Bicycle and Food Services on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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States that allow a parent to sign away a minor’s right to sue
Posted: November 2, 2011 Filed under: Release (pre-injury contract not to sue), Summer Camp Leave a commentIf your state is not listed here, you should assume a parent cannot waive a minor’s right to sue in your state.
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State
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By Statute
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Restrictions
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| Alaska | Alaska: Sec. 09.65.292 | Sec. 05.45.120 does not allow using a release by ski areas for ski injuries |
| Arizona | ARS § 12-553 | Limited to Equine Activities |
| Colorado | C.R.S. §§13-22-107 | Some commentators consider the statute a little weak |
| Florida | Florida Statute § 744.301 (3) | |
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By Case Law
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| California | Hohe v. San Diego Unified Sch. Dist., 224 Cal.App.3d 1559, 274 Cal.Rptr. 647 (1990) | |
| Florida | Global Travel Marketing, Inc v. Shea, 2005 Fla. LEXIS 1454 | Allows a release signed by a parent to require arbitration of the minor’s claims |
| Florida | Gonzalez v. City of Coral Gables, 871 So.2d 1067, 29 Fla. L. Weekly D1147 | Release can be used for volunteer activities and by government entities |
| Massachusetts | Sharon v. City of Newton, 437 Mass. 99; 769 N.E.2d 738; 2002 Mass. LEXIS 384 | |
| Minnesota | Moore vs. Minnesota Baseball Instructional School, 2009 Minn. App. Unpub. LEXIS 299 | |
| North Dakota | McPhail v. Bismarck Park District, 2003 ND 4; 655 N.W.2d 411; 2003 N.D. LEXIS 3 | |
| Ohio | Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club, Inc., 696 N.E.2d 201, 82 Ohio St.3d 367 (1998) | Maybe only for non-profits |
| Wisconsin | Osborn v. Cascade Mountain, Inc., 655 N.W.2d 546, 259 Wis. 2d 481, 2002 Wisc. App. LEXIS 1216, 2003 WI App 1 | However the decision in Atkins v. Swimwest Family Fitness Center, 2005 WI 4; 2005 Wisc. LEXIS 2 voided all releases in the state |
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On the Edge, but not enough to really rely on
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| North Carolina | Kelly v. United States of America, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 89741 | Ruling is by the Federal District Court and only a preliminary motion |
What do you think? Leave a comment.
Copyright 2011 Recreation Law (720) Edit Law, Recreation.Law@Gmail.com
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Application Deadline Changes for Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award
Posted: October 28, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentDeadline is now December 1, 2011
Today, The American Alpine Club announces that the application deadline for the prestigious Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award has been moved up one month. The new deadline is December 1, 2011.
The Lyman Spitzer program promotes state-of-the-art, cutting-edge climbing through financial support of small, lightweight climbing teams attempting bold first ascents or difficult repeats of the most challenging routes in the world’s great mountain ranges. $12,000 is awarded annually to three to six endeavors that best meet the criteria for “cutting-edge” climbing.
Previous winners of the AAC Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award have made some of the world’s finest first ascents, including Jobo Rinzang (6,907m) in Nepal and Peak 5,592 (a.k.a. Seerdengpu, a.k.a. The Barbarian) in southwestern China’s Shuangiqiaogou Valley; the award has also supported attempts on Latok I, K7, and Shingu Charpa, among many others.
Application documents and further details: americanalpineclub.org/grants.
Through the generous contribution of Lyman Spitzer, Jr., a longtime American Alpine Club Member and lover of the mountains, the AAC initiated the Lyman Spitzer Climbing Grants Program in 2000. Spitzer was an accomplished physicist, best known for his research on star formation, plasma physics, and his leadership and vision in articulating the notion of the space-based telescope. He is the namesake of NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. His mountaineering accomplishments include first ascents on Baffin Island and in the Canadian Rockies, as well as numerous repeats of difficult peaks like Mt. Waddington throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Additional Grant Information
Upcoming is the application deadline for the McNeill-Nott Award. Applicants need apply by January 1. The Award, with the help of Mountain Hardware, honors the memory of Karen McNeill and Sue Nott. It awards financial assistance to amateur climbers attempting new routes or unclimbed peaks with small and lightweight teams. Previous winners have, among other things, explored and climbed new routes in Greenland’s Fox Cirque, the Suches Valley of the remote Cordillera Apolobamba, on the border of Bolivia and Peru, and Southeast Alaska’s Wood River Range.
In addition to the Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award and the McNeill-Nott Award, The American Alpine Club offers grants for everyday climbers attempting big-walls, new or notable free climbs,and alpine objectives. Of significant prominence is the Club’s “Gateway Grant”; this Mountain Fellowship Award offers funding to climbers under the age of 26 to aid them in making the transition to the Greater Ranges. For more details and specific application information for this and other AAC grants visit americanalpineclub.org/grants.
What do you think? Leave a comment.
Copyright 2011 Recreation Law (720) Edit Law, Recreation.Law@Gmail.com
Twitter: RecreationLaw
Facebook: Rec.Law.Now
Facebook Page: Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Travel Law
Blog: www.recreation-law.com
Mobile Site: http://m.recreation-law.com
Keywords: #RecreationLaw, #@RecreationLaw, #Cycling.Law #Fitness.Law, #Ski.Law, #Outside.Law, #Recreation.Law, #Recreation-Law.com, #Outdoor Law, #Recreation Law, #Outdoor Recreation Law, #Adventure Travel Law, #law, #Travel Law, #Jim Moss, #James H. Moss, #Attorney at Law, #Tourism, #Adventure Tourism, #Rec-Law, #Rec-Law Blog, #Recreation Law, #Recreation Law Blog, #Risk Management, #Human Powered, #Human Powered Recreation,# Cycling Law, #Bicycling Law, #Fitness Law, #Recreation-Law.com, #Backpacking, #Hiking, #Mountaineering, #Ice Climbing, #Rock Climbing, #Ropes Course, #Challenge Course, #Summer Camp, #Camps, #Youth Camps, #Skiing, #Ski Areas, #Negligence, #Snowboarding, #RecreationLaw, #@RecreationLaw, #Cycling.Law #Fitness.Law, #SkiLaw, #Outside.Law, #Recreation.Law, #RecreationLaw.com, #OutdoorLaw, #RecreationLaw, #OutdoorRecreationLaw, #AdventureTravelLaw, #Law, #TravelLaw, #JimMoss, #JamesHMoss, #AttorneyatLaw, #Tourism, #AdventureTourism, #RecLaw, #RecLawBlog, #RecreationLawBlog, #RiskManagement, #HumanPowered, #HumanPoweredRecreation,# CyclingLaw, #BicyclingLaw, #FitnessLaw, #RecreationLaw.com, #Backpacking, #Hiking, #Mountaineering, #IceClimbing, #RockClimbing, #RopesCourse, #ChallengeCourse, #SummerCamp, #Camps, #YouthCamps, #Skiing, #Ski Areas, #Negligence, #Snowboarding, #AAC, #AmericanAlpineClub, #LymanSpitzerCuttingEdgeAward, #McNeill-NottAward, #MountainHardware,
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WordPress Tags: Application,Deadline,Changes,Lyman,Spitzer,Edge,Award,Dealine,December,American,Alpine,Club,teams,ascents,mountain,criteria,Previous,winners,Jobo,Rinzang,Nepal,Peak,Seerdengpu,Barbarian,China,Shuangiqiaogou,Valley,Latok,Shingu,Charpa,Through,contribution,Member,lover,mountains,Grants,Program,formation,physics,leadership,vision,notion,NASA,Space,Telescope,Baffin,Island,Canadian,Rockies,Waddington,Canada,Additional,Grant,Information,McNeill,Nott,Applicants,January,Hardware,memory,Karen,assistance,climbers,Greenland,Cirque,Suches,Cordillera,Apolobamba,Bolivia,Peru,Southeast,Alaska,Wood,River,Range,addition,prominence,Gateway,Fellowship,transition,Greater,Ranges,Leave,Recreation,Edit,Gmail,Twitter,RecreationLaw,Facebook,Page,Outdoor,Adventure,Travel,Blog,Mobile,Site,Keywords,Outside,Moss,James,Attorney,Tourism,Risk,Management,Human,Rock,Ropes,Course,Challenge,Summer,Camp,Camps,Youth,Areas,Negligence,SkiLaw,OutdoorLaw,OutdoorRecreationLaw,AdventureTravelLaw,TravelLaw,JimMoss,JamesHMoss,AttorneyatLaw,AdventureTourism,RecLaw,RecLawBlog,RecreationLawBlog,RiskManagement,HumanPoweredRecreation,CyclingLaw,BicyclingLaw,FitnessLaw,RopesCourse,ChallengeCourse,SummerCamp,YouthCamps,AmericanAlpineClub,LymanSpitzerCuttingEdgeAward,NottAward,MountainHardware
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