Wolf & Pravato's Blogs: Top 5 Summer Camp Injury Questions

The kids are out of school for the summer, and now it’s time to ship them off to a nearby lake so someone else can keep track of them for a few weeks. We kid. You probably love to spend time with the little ones, but recognize the value in getting them out into nature and teaching them to canoe, shoot arrows, and sing campfire songs.

And you also want to make sure they’re safe. Summer camps can be valuable learning experience, and carry their own set of dangers at the same time. Here are some of the most pressing questions, and answers, when it comes to summer camp injuries.

1. Are Campground Liability Waivers Legally Enforceable?

The first thing a summer camp might have you do is sign a liability waiver that attempts to limit the camp’s responsibility for any injuries your child may suffer. While these waivers can sometimes be enforceable and bar you from suing a summer camp, they have their limits and may be negotiable.

2. What If I’m Injured Hiking or Camping?

Some of the more adventurous camps take kids on overnight hiking or backpacking trips. Make sure you’re aware of the risks and the liability involved in longer treks into the wilderness.

3. If I Slip and Fall at a Pool, Can I Sue?

Swimming pools hold a special place in our summer memories as well as in the legal landscape. And if they’re going to be a part of your child’s summer camp experience, you might want to know the legal meaning behind “attractive nuisance,” and what that means for your child’s safety and a camp’s responsibilities.

4. Do Summer Camps Have to Disclose Suspected Abuse?

It is every parent’s worst nightmare, and for too many parents it is sadly a reality. So do summer camps have a responsibility to tell parents if a current or former employee has been accused of or charged with abuse of children?

5. Who’s Responsible for Summer Camp Injuries?

This is the big one — if my child is injured at summer camp, who’s to blame? And how can I hold them legally responsible?

Every case is different, and the specific circumstances of a summer camp injury will often determine legal liability. Your best bet is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. So if your child has been injured while at summer camp, contact a lawyer in your area today.

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