Be Careful What You Sign - Those Waivers And Releases Can Come Back To You
03/22/2012 10:05 AM
When people sign up to play a sport, join a gym, or participate in just about any organized activity, there is always something to sign. Many people just sign away and never look at just what it is they are agreeing to. While it may seem like “no big deal” or just “form language” everyone needs to read before they sign, and think about just what they are agreeing to. After all, if it was not important, you would not be being asked to sign it.
The reason reading first is so important is that many of these forms contain waivers and releases (especially waivers and releases of personal injury claims). These are legal documents where many unsuspecting consumers and participants are literally signing away their rights to pursue claims against a whole host of people and companies if they are injured. In Illinois it has been found that these provisions can be enforced in many circumstances, negating the personal injury claims of seriously injured victims. That means that even if someone has done something wrong which seriously injures you, or whomever it was who signed the agreement, no personal injury claim can be pursued against the person or entity who was responsible for the injury.
Now, if you have been injured and you signed such a release or waiver, all may not be lost. Depending on how these forms are written sometimes they are not enforceable. Likewise, in some situations, if the conduct of the wrongdoer was so egregious (not just negligence, but gross neglect or willful and wanton disregard) in Illinois these agreements can be of little effect. All the more reason that if you are injured through the fault of another, you need to seek out a qualified personal injury attorney to help you determine just what your rights are, any claims you may have, and if you can pursue those injury claims.
No one knows what the future holds, and when signing a document that releases your future rights if you are injured, you should be mindful of just how important that seemingly “form” release can be. No one can make you release your rights, so think about what you are being asked to agree to and if it is really worth the risk of having no rights if you are injured.
The reason reading first is so important is that many of these forms contain waivers and releases (especially waivers and releases of personal injury claims). These are legal documents where many unsuspecting consumers and participants are literally signing away their rights to pursue claims against a whole host of people and companies if they are injured. In Illinois it has been found that these provisions can be enforced in many circumstances, negating the personal injury claims of seriously injured victims. That means that even if someone has done something wrong which seriously injures you, or whomever it was who signed the agreement, no personal injury claim can be pursued against the person or entity who was responsible for the injury.
Now, if you have been injured and you signed such a release or waiver, all may not be lost. Depending on how these forms are written sometimes they are not enforceable. Likewise, in some situations, if the conduct of the wrongdoer was so egregious (not just negligence, but gross neglect or willful and wanton disregard) in Illinois these agreements can be of little effect. All the more reason that if you are injured through the fault of another, you need to seek out a qualified personal injury attorney to help you determine just what your rights are, any claims you may have, and if you can pursue those injury claims.
No one knows what the future holds, and when signing a document that releases your future rights if you are injured, you should be mindful of just how important that seemingly “form” release can be. No one can make you release your rights, so think about what you are being asked to agree to and if it is really worth the risk of having no rights if you are injured.