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DOCUGRIP©

Release of liability waiver template

A liability waiver asks an adult participant to confirm that they understand the risks of an activity and agree not to hold the organizer responsible for ordinary accidents. Fill in the details below and it is laid out as a PDF with signature blocks for the participant and the organizer.

This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ between countries and states, so have it checked before signing anything important.

Fill in the details

Anything you leave empty becomes a blank line in the document, to fill in by hand or during signing.

Opens the signature request with this document and a signature box for each party already placed.

Preview

Release of Liability, Waiver and Assumption of Risk

This Release of Liability, Waiver and Assumption of Risk (the "Release") is signed on __________ by __________ ("Participant") in favor of __________, of __________, and its owners, employees, instructors and volunteers (together, "Organizer").

1. The Activity

Participant wishes to take part in __________ (the "Activity"). This Release applies to __________.

2. Assumption of Risk

Participant understands that the Activity involves risks, including __________. Participant chooses to take part voluntarily and accepts these risks, including risks that are not specifically listed here.

3. Participant’s Responsibilities

Participant confirms that Participant is physically able to take part in the Activity and has told Organizer about any medical condition that may affect Participant’s safety. Participant will follow all safety rules and instructions, use equipment properly, and stop and tell staff if Participant feels unwell or unsafe.

4. Release and Waiver

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THE LAW ALLOWS, PARTICIPANT RELEASES ORGANIZER FROM, AND WAIVES, ANY CLAIM FOR INJURY, ILLNESS, DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY ARISING FROM PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY, INCLUDING CLAIMS CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ORGANIZER.

This Release does not apply to injury or damage caused by Organizer’s gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct, or to any claim that the law does not allow to be waived.

5. Medical Treatment

If Participant is injured or becomes ill, Participant authorizes Organizer to call emergency services and to arrange first aid or medical treatment. Participant is responsible for the cost of that treatment. Participant’s emergency contact is __________.

6. Age

Participant confirms that Participant is at least eighteen (18) years old. A person under 18 must not sign this Release; a parent or legal guardian must use a release written for minors.

7. General

This Release is governed by __________. If any part of it cannot be enforced, the rest stays in effect. It is the entire agreement about its subject and may be signed in counterparts and with electronic signatures, each of which is treated as an original.

PARTICIPANT HAS READ THIS RELEASE, UNDERSTANDS THAT IT GIVES UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, AND SIGNS IT VOLUNTARILY.

Participant

__________

Organizer

__________

How far a waiver goes

A waiver shows that a participant knew the risks and accepted them, and in most states it can release claims for ordinary negligence. It cannot protect against gross negligence or intentional harm, and a few states, such as Louisiana, Montana and Virginia, generally refuse to enforce releases for personal injury. How a court reads a waiver also depends on how clearly it is written and presented.

  • Describe the real risks of your activity in plain words. A vague waiver is easier to challenge.
  • Give participants time to read the waiver before the activity, not at the start line.
  • Keep signed waivers for at least as long as someone could bring a claim in your state.
  • A waiver does not replace insurance or running the activity safely.

Children and teenagers

Many states do not enforce a parent’s waiver of a child’s injury claims, and the rules differ widely. This template is for adults only. For children’s activities, ask a local attorney for a release written for minors and check that your insurance covers participants.

Frequently asked questions

In the United States, an electronic signature on a waiver generally has the same legal effect as an ink signature. Keep the signing record: it shows who signed, when, and that the full text was in front of them.

The participant’s signature is what makes the release. The organizer signing as well shows that the document was accepted and means both sides keep the same final copy.

Yes, if the period you enter says so, as in the example. For activities with different risks, such as a climbing gym that also runs outdoor trips, use a separate waiver for each activity.

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