Confidentiality & Legal

Free Liability Waiver Template (PDF)

A release and waiver of liability is a document a participant signs before an activity or event, acknowledging the risks involved and releasing the organizer from liability for ordinary injury.

When to use it

Use this before any activity with real physical risk — a fitness class, an outdoor event, a workshop involving equipment, or anything where a participant could get hurt and you want their acknowledgment of that risk on record beforehand.

What's typically included

• Acknowledgment of risk
• Release of liability
• Indemnification
• Medical treatment authorization
• Enforceability notes
• Participant acknowledgment
• Governing law

How to fill it in

• List the actual risks specific to your activity in the acknowledgment section — a generic "there are risks" statement is weaker than one that names the real hazards a participant is agreeing to accept.
• This version is for adult participants who sign for themselves — if the participant is a minor, use the release / waiver of liability (minor, with guardian) template instead, since a minor generally can't waive their own rights.
• A liability release doesn't excuse gross negligence or willful misconduct in most states, and can't make an inherently unsafe activity safe — it's a record of informed consent, not a substitute for running the activity safely.

This template is a general starting point, not legal advice — customize it and have it reviewed for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Does this release protect me from every kind of injury claim?

No — most states won't enforce a waiver against gross negligence or willful misconduct, only against claims of ordinary negligence for risks inherent to the activity. Some states limit liability waivers further, or don't enforce them at all in certain contexts.

Can a minor sign this themselves?

No — this adult version is for participants who can legally sign for themselves. For a minor participant, use the release / waiver of liability (minor, with guardian) template, which a parent or legal guardian signs on the minor's behalf.

Is an electronically signed liability release valid?

Yes, under the U.S. ESIGN Act and state UETA laws, an electronic signature is treated the same as a signature on paper — though as with any waiver, a court will still look at whether it was clear and the participant genuinely understood what they signed.