What’s Required for a Valid, Effective Liability Waiver in Alaska?

If you run a business in Alaska that offers heli-skiing, river rafting or gym workouts, you realize the need for liability waivers. These documents protect your business from lawsuits resulting from risks involved in your work. Yet, some waivers cannot be enforced by law. Specific rules in Alaska must be followed to ensure a waiver is valid.

Understanding Alaska’s Legal Framework

Alaska Statute 09.65.290 covers civil responsibility for sports or recreational activities. It means those who participate in these activities are responsible for any injuries or deaths that happen because of them. Still, the statute does not protect providers from being held liable for negligence. So, to be fully protected, businesses should have participants sign waivers that let the provider off the hook for negligence.

Key Court Decisions Shaping Waiver Enforceability

The Alaska Supreme Court has given advice on how to write a liability waiver. In the case of Donahue v. Ledgends, Inc. (2014), the court found that the participant’s waiver at the Alaska Rock Gym was valid. Because the waiver clearly explained the risks, mentioned negligence and was written in bold letters, it was considered enforceable. The court highlighted that waivers should not mislead people about safety or promise that the provider will keep them safe.

In much the same way, the case of Langlois v. In Nova River Runners, Inc. (2018), the court reaffirmed the rules set out in Donahue. The waiver discussed “negligence” clearly and in a way most people could understand. The court decided that the waiver was valid and enforceable.

Essential Elements of a Valid Waiver

To make a waiver enforceable in Alaska, it should have the following parts:

1. Specific and Clear Risk Disclosure: Describe all the risks of the activity. For example, mention risks such as falling, problems with equipment, and mistakes made by the instructor when running a rock climbing gym.
2. Explicit Waiver of Negligence: Use the phrase “negligence” in the waiver to show that the participant is not holding the provider liable for negligence.
3. Clear and Emphasized Language: Ensure the waiver is easy to understand. Keep your words simple, highlight some words with capital letters and do not include legal terms.
4. Avoid Misrepresentation of Safety Standards: Do not assure the client that there is no risk or that the provider can promise safety. Make sure to discuss the possible risks with the student.

Presentation and Accessibility

The waiver should be written in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. Stay away from small typefaces and documents that are too long. If someone signs a waiver online or when buying a ticket, make sure it is easy to notice and requires them to take action to show they agree.

Limitations and Public Policy Considerations

Alaska courts will not allow unreasonable waivers or go against public policy. Waivers cannot protect providers from being held responsible for gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Sometimes, the law overrides waivers, such as workers’ compensation claims and claims against the government.

Tailoring Waivers to Your Business

A generic waiver may not address the specific risks that your business has. It is essential to adjust your waiver to match the special needs of your services and the dangers they may involve. Working with attorneys in Anchorage, Alaska, can help you create an effective waiver that covers all essential points.

A liability waiver in Alaska should be understandable and specific and match the dangers of the activity. Following the laws of Alaska and making waivers that match your business’s particular needs can help protect you from liability.

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