Injury disclaimers – do they prevent the right to claim compensation?

By Ian Morris | Updated September 14th, 2023

79 questions have been answered on this subject, why not ask your own?

What is a personal injury disclaimer?

Disclaimers are used to provide a warning to people visiting a premises or partaking in certain activities. They are designed to make sure that people are made aware of foreseeable risks of injury, or where responsibility will rest if items are lost, broken or stolen. Often when we take part in a potentially dangerous activity, the organiser will ask the participants to sign a disclaimer to confirm that they are aware of the risks the activity presents.

Many such disclaimers seem to indicate that the business or organiser can in no way be held liable if there is an injury as a result of the activity. We have all read the wording ‘the Management accept no responsibility for injury or loss of property’. However, the fact is that displaying a notice, or asking someone to sign a disclaimer, does not completely absolve a business or organisation from being held liable should someone end up suffering an injury or a loss. In most cases, disclaimers are not legally binding and we’ve succeeded with many claims for compensation where claimants have signed a disclaimer.

Reduction of risk, not responsibility

Disclaimers should be seen in a good light when they are used correctly. Making sure that people appreciate certain activities are dangerous and that risks are understood is a good thing. We all want to reduce the risk of injury and see less accidents happening. When people know what the risks are, they are minded to act safely and follow instructions carefully. Even with obvious risks, we benefit from being reminded.

However, many businesses or organisations use disclaimers as a way of trying to absolve themselves of any responsibility for health and safety. The wording is aimed to discourage people from pursuing their right to seek compensation for any injury they sustain.

Disclaimers should only be seen as a warning to patrons or participants, rather than a prevention of any liability, and used only to make sure that when the instructions in any signed disclaimer have been followed, the risk of injury should be minimised.

Negligence overrides any disclaimer

The provision of a disclaimer sign, or being required to sign a disclaimer before taking part in an activity, does not absolve the organisation in question from being liable should someone then go on to sustain an injury as a result of their negligence.

When it comes to personal injury compensation, a disclaimer will not be worth the paper it is written on if the organiser of the event or activity has failed to ensure that they have adequately prepared for the risk of injury, or failed to provide the correct equipment, guidance or training needed to minimise the risk of injury.

The responsibilities to ensure that equipment is correctly maintained, properly serviced, risks adequately assessed, safety equipment provided and that hazards are marked and removed where possible, remain regardless of whether or not a disclaimer is signed or displayed. In cases where someone is injured when a business or organisation has failed in any of these areas, liability is likely to attach to that organisation and a claimant will have a strong prospect of succeeding with a claim for personal injury compensation.

On the other hand, if someone has been made fully aware of the risks of an activity and given very specific safety instructions to follow in a disclaimer, and they then chose to ignore that warning and suffer an injury, the injured person would have no viable grounds to pursue a claim for compensation as they have failed to heed the adequate warnings given to them.

A common example

Take a look at the picture giving an example of a disclaimer sign shown here. The business in question states that they accept no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from the use of this terrace unless prescribed at law. What does this mean? Does it really mean that they have no responsibility for your safety when visiting their premises?

The disclaimer shown is of no use to the business. It does not absolve themselves from the responsibilities that they and any business faces with regards to health and safety. Simply displaying a warning sign doesn’t mean they don’t have to make sure their premises are safe for use.

For example, if a business had erected this sign and then left their terrace littered with tripping hazards, sharp edges or any other risks to injury, and one of their customers were then injured in a fall or suffered a nasty laceration, the business would still be liable for the injury and loss incurred.

Claiming if you are injured after reading or signing a disclaimer

If you have been injured after signing or reading a disclaimer, you can still look to make a claim for personal injury compensation. At Direct2Compensation we can quickly assess whether or not you have a viable claim. In a brief telephone conversation, we’ll be able to advise you whether the disclaimer will be a barrier to you claiming compensation for your injuries and losses.

Thinking about claiming compensation? It’s usually really quick for us to find out if you have a valid claim, just leave a question below or call us on 01225 430285, or .

79 questions have been answered on this subject, why not ask your own?

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Questions

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I signed a disclaimer for cataract operation, I was told I would be able to see without spectacles but not for reading, I was happy with that but in the event my vision is now worse and was told I will need spectacles for long sight,
before being signed off I was told the results were less than they hoped for and the operated eye now had slightly shorter vision.
Before signing I was advised of the risks but also that I would be able to see clearly without spectacles so of course I signed.

The fact that you were presented with and have signed a disclaimer ahead of the surgical procedure is a standard protocol. With the best will in the world, with any surgical procedure, there is a risk that things won’t work out as hoped. Clearly in your case, the outcome is not what you had hoped for or perhaps been told to expect. However, that in and of itself does not indicate that there has been negligent treatment.

You may well have grounds to pursue a claim for clinical negligence compensation, but only if it is found that the way you were treated was incorrect or negligent. Firstly, you need to complain to the Hospital and Department who provided the surgery and ask for clarification of the procedure you underwent and whether anything ‘went wrong’. Depending on the responses, you may wish to seek a 2nd opinion (ask to see a separate specialist). If anyone advises you that the issue could be attributed to a mistake or negligence, you would then be able to pursue a claim for clinical negligence compensation – something we can assist with.

Can i claim compensation for a broken leg needing surgery and still have ongoing issues 9 months later. If I injured myself on a drop slide having signed an acceptance of risk and Injured myself by how I landed but the website says participants would have a safety briefing for all activities which did not occur for the drop slide.
I signed the accident book and said I was ok and I’d just landed funny when i left to go to hospital but obviously was in shock and didn’t know I should have had a safety briefing or that I would still be having issues 9 months on and still be on restricted duties at work delaying my promotion etc.

Have you ever made further contact with the venue in question to update them on your injury and query the lack of any safety briefing?

As an accident book entry was completed at the time, it may be possible to pursue a claim for personal injury and if there was any further follow up with the venue in question, there could be sufficient evidence available to enable our specialist Solicitors to succeed with your claim.

So I went to bongos bingo last night where everyone was encouraged to get up and dance on the benches. I actually fell off and I’ve broken my wrist. On reflection the benches are not stable enough to be on. Do I have a case thanks

Was an accident book entry completed? If not, make sure you write to the venue/company and report what happened and the injury sustained.

To get further advise with a view to starting your claim for compensation, please call us on 01225430285 or use our website form to request a call from us.

I slipped in a shop and later emailed them to tell them about my injuries (they did not take my details at the time even though they saw I was clearly injured ) and that I thought they could improve the stairs I slipped on. They emailed back to apologise for not taking my details at the time and that they are getting someone in to improve safety as well as doing a new risk assessment the next day. However at the bottom they have added a disclaimer to say I cannot share their email.
I went to minor injuries the next day to get myself checked out, missed a days pay & am still in pain.
Is there anything I can do to get compensation?

The attempt to prevent you from sharing what the 3rd party has said to you with chosen trusted parties – such as a Solicitor acting for you in a claim against them is bizarre. On what basis do they consider that they have the ability to prevent you from doing so?

You have done the right thing in emailing the store after they failed to take your details and complete an accident book entry at the time of the incident. This ensures that there is evidence available to support your claim. Please call us on 01225430285 so that we can discuss the incident and help you to start a No Win No Fee claim for personal injury compensation. Alternatively, you can request a call from us by providing some further information via this link: start your claim

Damaged asbestos has been discovered in my home in the bedroom of a housing association property. I live on the ground floor, i have been requesting that my housing officer and a building inspector needs to visit my property since the end of July last year. I was reassured not to worry they weren’t going to evict me? Offered different options of where I could go or be relocated to, when I had signed a disclaimer.

In a case like this, it is vital that you ensure that you only enter in to written communications with your housing provider – you should detail all issues of maintenance and risks to your safety or security and you should also cite any issues you have faced in terms of physical pain or emotional distress due to their lackadaisical approach to the reports you have made to them. You should also seek relevant medical attention from your GP to discuss both the physical and emotional trauma caused to you by this incident and request an appropriate referral to a specialist.

Ensuring the above is completed will give you the best possible chance of succeeding with a claim for personal injury compensation – something our Solicitors can assist you with on a No Win No Fee basis.

Hi Ian, my husband has fallen on a jetty, he has broken his ribs,it had been raining and our jetty was very slippy. Our jettys have not been replaced like all the others. There is a disclaimer as you walk on the jetty.

Do you know why this jetty had not been replaced and whether the replacement jetty’s would make such a fall less likely? Unless the jetty in question has been reported as hazardous and in need of repair/attention prior to the incident, it is unlikely that it would be possible to succeed with a claim.

Hi Ian,
I was just doing a quick trawl on the internet regarding disclaimers and came across your article above and your replies to posts. As a H&S professional I just wanted to say that this is a good, balanced and informative review of the use of disclaimers. Also good advice to the posts below. Thanks.
Brod Paul CMIOSH, FIIRSM, FIIAI, MIFireE, MIFSM

Thank you for your comment.

I am going on a training day for work and have been informed that I am to take a colleague. How can I state that I take no responsibility for their welfare?

Your employer cannot compel you to provide transport for a colleague, but by simply providing a lift in your car or by being asked to go to the training with a colleague, you are not liable for their welfare.

On one side of our block of flats there is a steep slope going down to the basement. It can be seen clearly as one approaches from the entrance to the grounds. However, if one approaches from the garden side, there is a line of bricks where the grass ends and the drop is not seen from that angle. We are intending to put up a danger notice with a picture of someone falling. Would we be liable if someone then fell after the notice went up?

Who owns the land in question? If there is a walkway that could lead to someone unexpectedly falling over the small wall and down the bank (perhaps in the dark), then erecting a fence would be the right course of action. However, if it is a grassed area and not designed to be a pedestrian access, any person who were to then fall down the bank is likely to be seen to have been the author of their own demise so to speak. Erecting a clear warning sign ahead of and directly at the top of the bank/by the wall would be a sensible move.

We are small group of woman doing dance exercise in a hall. There isn’t a teacher. Will a disclaimer, signed by everyone be sufficient?

If you are simply a group convening for the purpose of friendly voluntary exercise/activity, there is unlikely to be any need for any disclaimer. Of course, there is a risk of injury as a result of undertaking an activity such as dance (soft tissue injuries, ankle sprains, muscle pulls etc), but in such circumstances, the only way any such injury could form the basis of a personal injury claim would be if there was a problem with the venue in question – such as floor damage or building disrepair. In which case any claim would be against the organisation responsible for the management and maintenance of the hall.

We run an allotment where people bring their own Mowers Rotovators Tillers strimmers etc can we as an association put a sign up saying we accept no responsibility for Injuries incurred by use of your own Electrical or Mechanical equipment whilst on this site

You are well within your rights to erect such a disclaimer.

I was injured on a water obstacle course had 2 surgeries on my leg . Have evidence with a picture my injuries are due to negligence. I am told from the owner has no insurance and that I did sign a disclaimer.
If he doesn’t have insurance have I any way to make a claim with no insurance ?
Regards

Is this a water obstacle course that is open to and marketed to the public? If so, one would expect them to have suitable insurance cover in place.

Many thanks for your speedy reply to my question it clears things up for us. I agree the club have been generous in their offer.

You are welcome, I hope you enjoy the free night away and that the insurers are speedy in setting the claims for vehicle damage and theft.

Hi our local village is hoping to hold a plant trail to raise money for charity and encourage people to grow plants.
Residents who grow extra plants will offer the plants for free (donations for charity accepted in a collection pot) on their driveways.

We publish a poster with the day of the trail and the locations / route of the trail.
Would we need any form of insurance? People participating in the trail will be walking cycling or running along the public highway until they get to the individual locations then stand on the driveway to choose the plants they want.

We could do a risk assessment for each plant location and a disclaimer? Do you think this would suffice? Are we just responsible/liable for the time they are on the driveways?

It is hard to see how you or any of the plant providers could be liable for injury or loss of a participant in such an event. However, it is prudent to ensure that every location is checked to make sure that there are no obvious tripping hazards or risks of injury to those taking part. If any site does present a risk of injury – perhaps some uneven surfaces or steps, erecting a clear hazard warning sign regarding said risks at the entrance to the site would be a good move.

I am Chairman of a very small classic 4wd drive owners club. Four times a year we like to meet up for a run in various parts of the UK. These are always on the public highway, but often include a substantial amount of ‘green lanes’ which can be uneven, overgrown and for short sections can be challenging. Before the event we ask members to sign a disclaimer to show that they understand the nature of the route and that they are driving on their own insurance. and at their own risk. There is no compulsion to attempt a section that they do not feel competent to drive, although the vehicles themselves are hugely capable. If a driver makes a mistake or attempts a section beyond his capabilities, can the club be held liable if an injury should occur. Is a disclaimer of any use in these circumstances.

It is hard to see how any individual could hold your club liable should they have an unfortunate accident in the circumstances you describe.

Hello,
We own a field where we keep horses, at one end is an open area where people park to visit our local Church.
Would we be covered if we put up signs to say we take no responsibility for personal injury or loss from/damage to vehicles, provided of course we regularly check the area for hazzards.
We dont really want to stop people from parking there but equally have not given anyone permission and we dont want to be liable should there be an incident/accident.
Many thanks

Your plan seems reasonable and fair. Of course, you will be liable if you are found to have been negligent in anyway, so as long as you do undertake regular checks and identify and then remove any hazards – and ensure that the horses are kept securely, you should face no negative consequences.

I have been asked to sign the following waiver. Can they enforce this specific exemption if they are responsible?

I HEREBY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN ANY/ALL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT AT THE CLOCKWORK HOTEL, including but not limited to, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released (The Clockwork Hotel), from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault.

No organisation can expect to see a waiver of the type you quote stand up in a court. No party can absolve themselves of liability should they have acted negligently!

I have just started a company doing outdoor activities and have full public liability insurance for the activities we cover. In that case do I actually need to have groups sign a disclaimer?
Thanks for any advice.

As I have previously said, a disclaimer in and of itself is worthless. However, adding a disclaimer to the full provision of safety warnings, full risk assessments and induction training to all participants in the activities you undertake is a very sensible move.

The disclaimer should reference the training/guidance given and that should any participant fail to act on the instruction and guidance given or not wear the safety items provided, consume alcohol or act in a dangerous and inappropriate way, that you will not accept liability.

We want to go canyoning, and the form the company running it wants us to sign explicitly states that they will not be liable in case of negligence. Should we sign it?

No disclaimer and no organisation can avoid liability if they are found to have acted negligently. In this case, the disclaimer should be signed but only once the organisation has provided a comprehensive induction and provided clear advise as to the instructions that you must follow and explained the unavoidable risks that such an activity will present.

Hi, I’m going to be running beginners snorkelling sessions on my local beach. I’m qualified and have the relevant liability insurance. I’ve been using a waiver – liability and assumption of risk form that the training association uses. I have been told this isn’t necessary as in UK law this wouldn’t stand in court if there was a claim against me. Is this true and what is the legal requirement? I want to ensure that people are aware of the risk, that they conduct themselves in a way that they understand the risk, that they don’t take part if they have any medical or health conditions that would put them or myself at risk or lead to an injury I have to deal with. I’d welcome your advice. Thank you

Disclaimers have a valid place in the prevention of injury, loss and indeed in being held liable should injury or loss occur. However, simply displaying a disclaimer on it’s own is not a sufficient process to make sure that you cannot be liable.

In your situation, you obviously need to make sure that each and every person joining in a session has been given an appropriate briefing of the process that they will go through, a clear explanation of the ‘do’s and dont’s‘ and perhaps be asked to sign a checklist following such a briefing to confirm that they have been given such a briefing. You’ll also need to ensure that your qualifications remain up to date and that you regularly check your equipment for maintenance issues, repairs and replacements etc.

I own a small part of a communal wood, all of the owners invite friends and family to use the woods for camping etc. No facilities are provided.
There is vehicle access through 2 sets of locked gates.
We also have people who trespass in the wood occasionally but we are not bothered as long as they do no harm.
My question is: There are many natural trip hazards and the potential for branches or even trees to fall and injure or kill someone.
Should and is it possible to have a sign warning people that they enter at their own risk?

Placing a disclaimer notice at various locations on the property is a sensible and helpful move. It reminds people of the potential hazards that they may find – including naturally occurring hazards such as roots, uneven ground, rocks etc – all that one would expect to see in a natural woodland area. You should let people know that they should report any items of particular risk or pathways/fences etc that are in need of repair so that you can ensure that you do your best to avoid causing an injury that you may have otherwise prevented.

You should also conduct regular checks (perhaps monthly or bi-monthly) on the site for any man-made items (steps, pathways, benches etc) so that you can reduce the risk of potential liability should anyone suffer an unfortunate injury whilst visiting your woodland.

I have signed my child up to a holiday club. However the wording of the disclaimer they are making me sign is worrying me. It says very bluntly I agree that if my child is injured or dies during their care (insert name of club) is not responsible and claims cannot be made by myself or anyone representing me please sign….

Is this allowed? Surely they have to take some responsibility, does this mean they can neglect and not be held liable?

The holiday club cannot absolve themselves of all or any responsibility to the well-being and safety of your child when you place them in their care. Their disclaimer would not mean that they have zero responsibility.

We are a charity which own an old orchard we are developing into a nature walk. Essentially there is a path meandering through an orchard with a few benches and picnic tables dotted around. We wanted to put up a notice saying we were not responsible for people injuring themselves in the orchard, is there any piont in doing this based on this article? If we do, how specific do we need to be about listing what we feel would be dangerous activities to be avoided?

Disclaimers are useful and they do remind people as to what is not acceptable behaviour. Given the nature of the space you are discussing, it would seem that the only realistic ways people could be injured would be by tripping on a disrepaired pathway or if one of the benches were disrepaired and collapsed or caused injury through a sharp edge or protruding screw etc. In such circumtances, a disclaimer would not absolve you of liability.

You need to make sure that you carry out regular inspections of the pathway and any seating provisions so that any hazards or disrepair can be identified and repairs actioned. Perhaps having a disclaimer placed clearly throughout the area stating that people should not climb trees or undertake any such activities would be a sensible move.

Hi. we bought a farm with a right of way through to a wood, which is a SSSI site, Ramsar site. The owner of the wood and benefactor of the right of way is now trying for an event venue. The right is through the middle of our working farm yard and over a single old cart track, which at the narrowest point passes over open water, one side of which is very deep. We own all the land it covers. He started having events a few years ago and double decker buses and coaches use this to access the wood. We are worried as the track is not fit for purpose, we have had several accidents with people getting lost( dispite signs) people that have been drinking leaving the track, driving into ditches and getting stuck in muddy fields. These have been cases of trespass but what liability do we have for people who keep to the right of way? They have been invited by someone else to use the right of way. If a coach goes in the lake would we be liable or the wood owner? We know the track isn’t safe but the venue owner doesn’t seem to care.
The right of way for a commercial venue we are contesting as when deeds signed it was for a cottage in the wood and plantation. This will all take time and money but in the meantime, will any signs we put up safeguard us in anyway. Thank you.

Who has responsibility for the maintenance of the right of way – specifically the part that crosses your land? If you are responsible to maintain and make safe the right of way, you really must act to do so given that you are aware of the risks.

However, erecting clear warning signs indicating that the track is not suitable for vehicle access due to the risk of injury would be sensible in the short term.

Have you approached the relevant authorities regarding the desire of the wood owner to develop an ‘event’ site and of the inappropriate access?

Hi,
The timber decking forming the walkways on my boats marina mooring is very slippy and dangerous when wet or icy and has multiple loose boards that form a trip hazard. The marina managements answer is a notice saying surface slippy when wet. I am concerned that one day a moorer or visitor will slip and be injured or worse fall into the river. Can the marina management absolve themselves from responsibility in this way?

If reports are made to the owners of the property that it is extremely dangerous and needs attention, the disclaimer that they have erected is probably insufficient. An argument could be made to say that the surface of the decking used on the walkways requires a non-slip or textured ‘grip’ surface to be applied.

Any report you make to them of the hazardous nature of the surface should be in writing.

Hi Ian

We live in a small private road with 5 houses, there was a plot of land left undeveloped due to planning restrictions that was retained by the developers. The developer then auctioned that plot and 3 out of 5 of the residents purchased that as joint tenants. The land does not have a fence or any other barrier to entry.

My main question is can we protect ourselves in any way from possible claims made by the other residents should they injure themselves on this land ?
One of the owners has told other non-owners that they and their children may enter the land, does this make them lawful visitors and could we reverse that ?

I am aware of many potential hazards scattered around the site inherited from the developers; bricks, concrete, broken glass etc.. I am concerned that we will have to remove all of that in order to defend a claim.

Finally, probably an unusual question, there are a number of sharp 2” bramble stumps around the site created by us mowing over them and chopping them down, if someone was to trip and cause serious injury on one of these would they be considered a natural hazard or Our responsibility because we created the hazard by partially removing the brambles?

These are difficult questions to answer definitively. With regards to protecting yourselves from any future claims, you could erect some warning signs that there may be hazards/tripping hazards and other risks of injury and place such signs clearly at all entry points. As the land is essentially private, you could consider fencing it off and indicating that access is not permitted to the site?

However, you could still face action in terms of a claim if you allow any known hazards to remain present without having taken any action to remove them or indicate their presence to any persons accessing the site.

I have recently visited a private island in the river Thames where I moor my boat.

The island is a mixed wood and grassland landscape with a path down the middle and mowed paths to the boats.

The island ( limited company) has just installed a sign warning of “uneven ground and trip hazards”.

Does this disclaimer protect them from liability if I trip and fall whilst attending my boat?

The disclaimer is worthless if the landowner is then negligent with regards to the maintenance of the public spaces on their property. In this case, the island owners need to carry out routine inspections of the site to identify any hazards and then carry out repairs on those hazards in good time. They may also rely on visitors reporting hazards to them and if so, must repair those hazards.

So is there any point in the sign remains up?

It is generally considered to be unsightly.

The company has operated for 40 years without it, it has been up for two days.

Basically will the company come to any harm if they now remove the sign?

The disclaimer is a useful tool in reminding people that there may be risks that cannot be mitigated, so having such a sign is a sensible move. However, as previously said, the sign is only one part of the tool kit when considering prevention of injury or loss.

Hello Ian.
In our nearby estate park, local council owned area, one of our neighbours added a swing in one of the big trees.
Initially, it was for his child but other kids used the swing and it did have a disclaimer that the use was at swing user’s risk.
All was well and as a neighbourhood we were happy, until someone left their kid unattended and they hurt themselves by not using the swing as intended. (The kid tried to climb from the swing to tree brunch and fell.)
Now, we are hearing of being sued and us being complicit as we didn’t report the swing to the council.
Is there a case? Is the neighbour and us responsible?
I feel like someone leaving a bike in a park, someone uses it without permission, hurts themselves and the bike owner being responsible.
What can we do as a neighbourhood but also assist our dear neighbour who went to the trouble of erecting the swing.

There is no way that you could be brought in to any claim – even if one was made (which I can’t see being viable!) – as you didn’t erect the swing and have no duty to do anything about it.

Hello Ian
I have been discussing with a fellow lady business owner about putting up a disclaimers – she runs a hairdressers and I run a small pub.
Whilst I will be ensuring that people area seated 2m apart and that I carry out all the necessary cleaning etc etc would it be advisable to have a disclaimer displayed. The last thing I want to have is someone claiming they caught the virus in my pub and then getting sued. What do you think?

The chances of anyone being able to make a claim against a business or public venue are extremely small, especially if the business or venue is open legally and following whatever government advice is in place at the time. Considering the fact that it would be almost impossible to prove that someone had caught Covid-19 in your premises and that the risks of infection are present in just about any part of society, a Solicitor would not wish to pursue a claim and a claimant would not be able to find a Solicitor willing to act on a No Win No Fee basis in such a claim.

I have a case-study and they asked me if there is a sign in a coffee area stating the following: ‘the defendant accept no liability for death or personal injury howsoever and wherever caused’.

I read that under Consumer rights act 2015 (s65) a trader can’t exclude his liability for personal injury or death and parties can’t contract out of this law. therefore, my question is if the warning signs never release the guilty party from liability according to this law even if the injured party knew about it. Am i right?

Nobody can escape liability if it is shown that they were negligent and could have prevented an incident that lead to an injury if they were not negligent. A disclaimer cannot remove someone from the risk of being liable for causing injury or death. A disclaimer can be seen as part of the process of ensuring that all the risks posed by a certain activity or working practice are appreciated as dangerous and reminding individuals of their own responsibilities. However, you cannot escape liability by way of having erected a disclaimer notice.

We are a community of 10 houses set in a private estate, and we share the estate equipment (joint ownership), including driveable (sit-on) lawnmowers, and petrol powered chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and grass strimmer. We operate as a Ltd Company (no profits or shares) under a Memo of Articles, thereby ensuring we meet estate administration costs, Combined Liability & Employers Insurance, and maintenance of fencing, grass cutting and bush/tree pruning. We also employ a part time groundsman, who is trained to operate all the equipment, and in practice no-one actually cuts the grass. We also keep a maintenance log to verify serviceability, inspections and safe operating state.
Should we have a disclaimer or waiver for its use by any of the private (owner) residents, or is is better to ensure some sort of training or competency of use is in place first?

Given the fact that the employed groundsman has been trained and you keep a log of servicing of any equipment, it would appear that you are in ‘good shape’ with regards to your approach to Health and Safety.

There would be no harm in placing a clear, but simple disclaimer at the access point to the equipment that states that any faults or repairs required should be reported immediately and that nobody other than those authorised and trained to use the equipment should use it.

It would be sensible to employ a bi-monthly inspection of the equipment likely to cause injury (power tools, mowers etc) where you check for any obvious issues in need of repair or maintenance and keep a log, along with the annual servicing that any equipment would have.

There is certainly no harm in having a ‘training course’ for any persons wishing to use the equipment safely and perhaps an annual refresher checklist to sign off.

By undertaking these tasks, should someone then sustain injury and make a claim against you, you are likely to be in a strong position to defend any action as you can demonstrate that you have appreciated the potential risks, made people aware, tried your best to minimise the risks and keep people safe.

Of course, it does not guarantee that you won’t face acton or indeed, that you won’t be held liable – it really depends on the nature of any incident or injury sustained. Therefore, as ever it is wise to ensure that you are appropriately insured. Your insurers should be happy with the recommendations we have suggested and this should help to reduce premiums accordingly.

My local golf course now has many people wandering across the fairways, sitting around the greens and amongst the trees. It is a private course with public footpaths running across, if a ball was to injury a member of the public not on a footpath would I or the club have any liabilities, I do have golf insurance.

It is unlikely that an individual golfer would face any liability should one of their ‘shots’ hit a walker and cause personal injury. Of course, both golfer and walker need to use common sense and look ahead before either taking a shot, or crossing a fairway. As for sitting around the green, that should not be allowed as it is asking for trouble!

All members of our allotment would like to use the grass cutting machines as and where they need to around their individual area. At the moment they are not allowed access and only three or four insured users may operate the machine.
This problem started several years ago with the rapid climb in injury claims against allotment organisers.
My question is …if all the users are registered as the owner of the machine/s is anyone particular individual liable for another persons injury in a court of law?

In general terms, so long as the lawnmowers are regularly serviced and checked for any faults and every person wishing to use the machines has been trained in the safe use of them, there should be no grounds for anyone to pursue a claim against the owners of the machinery.

I own a holiday cottage in my private land, the land is 40 acres and fenced in, no animals or activities only a walk way, how do I ensure I am covered for any guests if injured? Do I put up a disclaimer sign and also add Disclaimer to my Terms of contract?

This is a matter you need to discuss with your public liability insurance provider. However, you do need to ensure that the property is well maintained and that you make the process of reporting any potential repairs or defects clear to your renters and that you identify any potential hazards to health. Given the description of the land, you probably have no issues to consider with regards to the land itself, but you should ensure that the walkway does not have any tripping hazards or slip hazards.

We live in a set of converted barns and the properties have shared access and use to the central court yard area as well as the access into the courtyard from the main road. Because these facilities are on private (unadapopted land) and common to the properties a Ltd management company was set up (at property development stage) to manage the shared facilites with regards to upkeep and maintenance etc.

Would it be appropriate for a disclaimer to be displayed on behalf of the management company at the entrance to access and courtyard advising users to enter and use these areas at their own risk? And to what degree would the Management Company be liable if an accident were to occur?

Disclaimers are useful reminders to individuals to take care and can limit the liability of a landowner. However, simply erecting a disclaimer won’t absolve the management company of liability should someone sustain personal injury due to any negligence or if the management company allow the area to be in disrepair and for hazards to be in situ.

The safest way forward is for the management company to operate a monthly inspection of the area in question to check whether there are any obvious risks of injury – tripping hazards, disrepaired ground surfaces, protruding metal etc etc. If appropriate records are kept for all inspections and appropriate maintenance work is undertaken for any identified hazards, it is most likely that negligence would not attach should someone subsequently sustain injury as it would seem clear that the management company had employed a regime of inspection and maintenance that was of a sound nature.

I run public events in a council run village hall. The hall’s built in ventilation and heating plant needs repairing, which means accessing the loft space.
I have a detailed knowledge of the plant and am very happy to access the loft to assist engineers assess quotes for repairs, replacements and for servicing.
The council have now instructed me not to access the plant areas on health and safety grounds, yet it is in the interests of hall users that I give the technical lead here.
I am more than happy to take full responsibility for my own safety in the plant area and would not dream of making any claim should I suffer any injury whilst involved with this work.
How can I write a disclaimer which would be accepted by the council to allow me to continue with my voluntary work in the plant areas?

The responsibility for the way in which the premises is managed, maintained and to what extent access to certain areas within the premises is granted rests with the ‘owners’ of the premises. In this case, the council appear to be in control of the area and if they do not believe it is safe for you (or any unqualified non-professional) to access the loft space, they have the right to make such a decision.

As you have been refused access, you would be unwise to ignore that. Firstly, if you were to suffer injury you would be unable to take any action (we note that you have indicated that you do not wish to take such action) but if you were to cause damage to the property or machinery in question, you would personally be liable for the costs of damage.

I signed a disclaimer at a trampoline park but subsequently broke my leg very badly just bouncing on a trampoline. My issue is that I was asked to move off the trampoline after the accident, resulting in severe pain and distress. I could not move, was asked if I needed an ambulance cause it could take 4 hours! They told my son they did not believe it was broken and I would just ‘walk it off’ 5 months later I still cannot walk. I have a tibial plateau fracture type 6 which is a catastrophic break. I would like to know if I can make a claim against the trampoline park?

The fact that you signed a disclaimer, would not (in and of itself) rule out the prospect of you ever being able to take action against the organisation that is asking you to sign the same. However, to pursue a claim against the trampoline park you would need to be able to establish that their negligence lead to you sustaining your injury. The disclaimer you would have signed in this case would confirm that you have acknowledged that there is an inherent risk of injury in taking part in such activities as trampolining. Therefore, in such a case our view is that you would only have valid grounds for a claim if your injury was caused due to a fault with the trampoline (such as it breaking or tearing when being used). It would appear that there was no such issue in this case.

The further issues you mention regarding their approach to first aid is somewhat of a red herring. Whilst they may well have handled your injury poorly, the staff at the trampoline park are not medical professionals and although they could and should have been more caring, their actions did not cause your injury.

Hello, I am an equal shareholder in a management committee of 5 flats. Each flat has a director that sits on the committee. Myself and another flat have purchased a playhouse for children. This is purely for the use of the residents children. If we put up a sign saying we accept no responsibility for any injury and that all children must be supervised whilst playing on the playhouse – does that suffice?

Simply erecting a disclaimer notice will not prevent you from being liable should an injury occur as a result of negligence on your part. To make sure that you can not be held liable for any injuries that occur, you must ensure that the play house is regularly maintained and that any potential hazards are removed or repaired.

It would be wise to have a regular inspection regime in place where the play equipment is checked for faults and that any repair work can then be instructed. This should be done weekly with a written record as to who inspected the equipment and what is inspected. Hazards to look for with such equipment will be loose screws, sharp edges, broken materials.

Your disclaimer should state that the equipment should be used appropriately and provide details as to how to report any faults or hazards. If any hazards are reported, the equipment should be cordoned off from use until repaired.

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