Equine Law Blog
A 2001 case involved the plaintiff, a highly experienced trick rider, who was dragged from her horse and injured while engaging in trick riding activity. She sued the saddle manufacturer, Weaver Leather Goods, claiming that an off-billet on the saddle was defective. Her lawsuit claimed that the saddle maker violated a provision of the Tennessee Uniform Commercial Code by breaching an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. She also sued for products liability and failure to warn.
The holiday season is here, and many stables around the country are hosting their annual year-end parties for customers and friends. But celebrations can quickly turn to tragedies. Here are some suggestions to avoid liability:
Once you have presented your liability release form to a new customer, how much time is enough time to allow him or her to read the document before signing? In some states, when the enforceability of a liability release is at issue, courts have focused on the amount of time given to the signer before executing the document.
Is “two seconds” enough?
Equine facilities nationwide have encountered the problem of busy parents who allow babysitters, non-parental relatives, or family friends to drive their children for riding lessons. Can a babysitter, relative, or family friend sign a liability release on behalf of the child?
Legally, no. Why?
