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Dust and bruises aren't our only risks. My dilemma as a teacher

I'm not looking for legal or insurance advice, and this isn't meant to be another lawyer bashing thread. I would, however, appreciate hearing of your experiences as hobby turners who have _realistically come to grips with liability risks & issues inherent in amateurs teaching beginners woodturning basics; particularly if you know of any legal actions against turners and what the outcomes were. RCW isn't affiliated with any one person nor an organization, so I assume that these things can be comfortably discussed.

Essentially, I want to teach a neighbor kid and his dad in my shop at no charge. Before, I have always taught elsewhere than my property and under the auspices of an organization. I get differing advice (free & well worth it) hereabouts. It ranges from "don't do it" thru "cover yourself" to "I've never heard of a turner being sued, go ahead. I do it all the time". Do you personally know of an actual injury suit? Was it successful? Was there gross neglect or ugly PR and incivility? Given that all equipment, safety rules and turning methods are OK and the students are friends is additional insurance other than homeowner's really necessary. Do most of you amateurs who teach a friend occasionally actually have it? Do you think a signed release is worth anything? What else to do?

I reckon I am asking your advice after all. I want to "give something back". However, I can't afford risks at my age. If I should lose what we have, I can never earn back. I want to be a good guy but I'm apprehensive. At the moment, I'm inclined to forget it. Shame on me? Arch

Fortiter,

Reply to
Arch
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Practical of you in today's litigious society. Bowl cuts loose, knocks out Little Johnny's teeth, Big Johnny sues you for $857 million, the jury buys his sob story...

Dunno... That's a tough one, Arch.

Reply to
Silvan

Best you could do is have dad sign a "hold harmless" agreement, though any dishonest signatory could hire an even more unscrupulous shylock to take your home and hearth. Your insurance company wouldn't help at all, unless you're paying big liability coverage.

How shrewd a judge of character are you?

At least I had the school covering for me and my irresponsible methods. Never got a kid hurt, though.

Reply to
George

Arch,

I'm not a lawyer, actually I'm a pretty honest guy. You might get both parties to sign a "hold harmless" form. I'm not sure of the proper wording but basically it holds you harmless if something bad should happen to them. I think that it would be reasonable of them to agree to something like that, but get it in writing. As somebody else said, as Junior's teeth get scattered around the shop, they might have a change in attitude.

Harry

Reply to
Harry B. Pye

do a google search on "liability release". i've signed some, and have people who come to play in my shop sign them. don't know if they truely stand up in court, never had to test it. it does let people know that risks, including death, are possible, and signing it at least shows they understood that. YMMV bob

Reply to
Minorite

Arch: This may not be complicated enough, but how about seeing a lawyer about your exposure to lawsuits from this compassionate gesture. Generally, around here anyway, the first consultation is free and if papers need to be drawn up, you can do it then.

Reply to
Leif Thorvaldson

Reply to
Mark Hopkins

I find it quicker to just follow the BMW's that are chasing the Ambulances down the highway. An added bonus is the lawyers you contact using my method are normally young and very "gung-ho".

Reply to
James Barley

Strap your 357 magnum on your hip and tell them if they hurt themselves in your shop you will mercily end their woes right then and there. Or turn a bat, put some red on it and some old chuncks of meat, hang it over the lathe, and fix a sign appropriately!

The Texas way!

Regards Lewis

Reply to
Lewis Dodd

arch,

It's a sad commentary that the problem you face is so ubiquitous. Playgrounds closing, fathers unwilling to coach little leagues, the rising insurance costs threatening Australia's volunteer life guards at the beaches...I'm not that distressed that the Great Matilda Camel Races in Australia had to discontinue because of insurance problems. ...But your question raises a very real issue.

Reply to
Adrien

Even Australia is infected with litigationitis?

Reply to
Lazarus Long

And thus the real solution to competition from abroad - send 'em all the lawyers.

I believe it was Lee Iaccoca who said that what was wrong with the US was we graduated nine lawyers to every engineer. As the parent of an engineer (bills to prove it), I can say with confidence that over half of those in my kid's class were on visas.

Reply to
George

I'm not sure about this, but if you are an AAW member and are conducting a formal AAW chapter function, the AAW or maybe your local club has insurance that may cover you. Questions to be asked here include: are you an AAW member? Are you a "mentor" in your local club such that you can claim this function to be a club, therefore an AAW function? Does the participant need to be an AAW member for the coverage to be valid?

I know we insist on our demonstrators being memebrs of the AAW for liability reasons. Maybe you can be covered like this. It is worth asking.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

Reply to
Joe Fleming

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