Almost all of us have signed a release or waiver at some point in our lives, whether it be for an amusement park, field trip, recreational activity, or sporting endeavor. Many people do not read the language contained in these agreements and have little understanding regarding the rights they may be signing away. These agreements are legally binding and could have devastating consequences if the signer becomes injured. This also arises in the context of a wrongful death proceeding. Many waivers exempt the offeror from liability for the death of a person who signs the agreement. In some situations, courts will deem a release invalid if certain conditions are satisfied, such as unconscionable terms or incapacitation of the party who signs the agreement. In most cases, however, the courts will honor the terms of the release.
In Markovitz v. Cassenti, the plaintiff alleged that she suffered injuries when she fell from a horse during a horse riding lesson that took place on the defendant’s property. The plaintiff’s husband also sued the defendant, asserting a cause of action for loss of consortium. During the litigation, the defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, stating that the woman signed a release at the time that she applied for riding lessons. The lower court granted the motion for the defendant.
On appeal to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court, the court concluded that the trial court was correct in concluding that the language of the release precluded the plaintiff from seeking damages from the defendant in a civil proceeding. The plaintiff had argued that the defendant was negligent in failing to determine whether the plaintiff had sufficient skill and ability to handle a horse on her own. The appellate court rejected this argument, noting that Massachusetts courts will frequently honor the language of a release that immunizes the defendant from future liability arising from negligence. This principle also includes any negligent acts that arise in the future from sports or other recreational activities.
The court next observed that the plaintiff failed to make any challenges to the language of the release on the grounds that it was ambiguous or unclear. Instead, the plaintiff pointed to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 128 Section 2D(c)(1)(ii), which details certain exceptions to a defendant’s liability based on a waiver. In analyzing this section, the appellate court rejected the plaintiff’s argument that the statute provided a basis for applying a new duty to professionals in the equine industry.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, you may be able to bring a Massachusetts personal injury claim and seek a settlement or a judgment. At the Law Offices of John S. Moffa, we understand how painful and stressful this type of incident can be for your family and you. We offer a free consultation to help you learn about the legal remedies that may be available to you. Our dedicated team of legal professionals will stand by you throughout the process and ensure that your rights will be asserted at each step, including in negotiations with insurance companies. Call us now at 1-800-446-4485 or contact us online to set up your appointment.
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