Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you have probably heard of “mud runs” and obstacle course-style running events – but did you know about the required waiver?
Maybe as a reaction to the digital and sedentary lifestyles of many, a record number of Americans are signing up and participating in events that allow you to climb rope ladders, swim or wade through frigid waters, crawl through mud pits and even run through fire. Sound exciting? Sound dangerous? It can be quite dangerous. As well organized as these races are, there have been a large number of injuries at these events.
Of course when someone is injured as a result of such an activity, often the injured party looks to pursue financial compensation from the entity responsible for that activity. In fact, they may think it’s a “no-brainer” that because the injuries occurred during such a dangerous event – one that includes an obstacle course that may have been poorly planned, supervised or maintained – the organizers would be responsible for the injuries. However, it isn’t such an open and shut case. In all recreational events of these types, mud runs or even in a simple 5 kilometer road race without obstacles, participation requires signature of a waiver of liability.
The pinnacle of the adventure/obstacle race is known as the Tough Mudder. If you want to participate in the Tough Mudder, you will sign a complex waiver that attempts to exclude the organizers from liability not only from injuries that could easily occur in such a race, but also from participant death. The death waiver is designed to protect the organizers from wrongful death lawsuits.
There is obviously inherent risk involved in these events, and waivers do protect the organizers to a certain extent. They are not iron-clad however. A waiver often can be challenged successfully on the basis of gross negligence or an intentional act.
Unfortunately, the Tough Mudder death waiver is being put to the test, as a participant died in 2013 and a lawsuit with regard to that death is pending. The outcome will be of interest not only to the grieving family but also the legal community.
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney with the primary accident information site on the internet, AutoAccident.com.
If you have been injured or someone you love has been injured or killed while participating in a recreational event, call me now at 916.921.6400.
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