If I set up an events business, how do I prevent someone from suing me if they get injured at an event put on by the business?
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If I set up an events business, how do I prevent someone from suing me if they get injured at an event put on by the business?
I was planning on setting up something that does not have its own venue, but that would rent other venues or use free ones like parks. If someone injures themselves while attending the events, can they sue me/the business? What can I do now, while I’m setting up the business, to lessen the possibility of lawsuit?
Asked on August 23, 2011 Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If someone is injured due to your negligence (or carelessness) or some intentional bad act of your, they can sue you; you should not be responsible for acts, problems, conditions, etc. beyond your control.
There are things you can do to help protect yourself:
1) Set up a limited liability company or corporation for the business, and do all business under/through the LLC or corporation; then even if the business incurrs liability, it should not affect your personally (so they can't go after your personal assets) except in special cases (e.g. you personally injured someone, such as by driving into them, and are being sued on a personal basis; you guarantied a debt).
2) Get adequate insurance, including a commercial umbrella policy.
3) Have your actual clients sign a form when they contract with you saying that your liabilty to them is limited to the amount they spent--this won't work in all situations against personal injury, but could protect you from lawsuits on other grounds (e.g. if they feel you breached contract).
4) If you are doing an event built around some activity with its own risks (e.g. rock climbing, pool party, jogging), have all attendees sign a form acknowledging the events risks and that you are not liable for injuries from their participation in the activity--it's not absolute protection, but it helps.
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