Liability waivers are often a point of dispute in legal circles. In some cases, businesses may use waivers to shield themselves from the consequences of neglecting their duty of care. For instance, this blog recently looked at Woodhouse v. Snow Valley Resorts, a personal injury lawsuit in which Elizabeth Woodhouse sought compensation for injuries sustained at the resort, despite having signed a waiver. Ontario Superior Court Justice J.R. McCarthy decided in the plaintiff’s favour, thus ensuring that injured individuals are able to pursue compensation against negligent suppliers.
Today, we’ll look at a similar case with a different result in British Columbia, where a personal injury lawsuit deriving from a mountain biking accident has been resolved in favour of the waiver issuer.
In 2009, Blake Jamieson was injured while attempting to jump down a rock face on Whistler Mountain Resort’s A-Line trail. His rear wheel clipped the edge of the rock, and Jamieson was propelled over the front of the handlebars. He landed on the trail below and was paralyzed from his waist down.
Jamieson’s personal injury lawsuit argued that Whistler Mountain Resort did not adequately warn him of the dangers of mountain biking when he signed a waiver for a season pass. In particular, he stated that he was unaware that he could suffer a spinal injury by falling over the front bars of his bike.
The resort responded that ‘Jamieson had worked as both a volunteer trail builder and patroller at the bike park for three seasons and had already completed two years training to be a medical doctor at UBC prior to the accident,’ reports the CBC. ‘The resort’s legal team produced accident reports signed by Jamieson showing he had provided first aid at six accidents in the park involving either head or spinal cord injuries.’
Jamieson stated that his time working at the park had in no way informed him of its potential dangers. The presiding judge, Madame Justice Neena Sharma, found his statement unreliable.
“I find any reasonable person who can read English, faced with the [waiver], would understand that the risks of using the park are very serious,” Sharma said in her decision. “In my view, the release is comprehensive, clear and blunt.”
Justice Sharma also pointed out that staff and signage around the park provided clear and consistent reminders of the dangers that riders faced.
Blake Jamieson’s lawyers have since stated that the use of legal waivers “removes the legal incentive [for companies] to protect their customers,” according to the CBC. This is a valid concern: individuals should not be stripped of their fundamental rights simply for signing a waiver. However, responsible organizations should be protected from undue legal action when they provide appropriate protection to their clients.
If you have suffered an injury after signing a legal waiver, you may still be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the team at Will Davidson LLP today to find out how our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you access compensation for your injuries.