Recreational Liability in New England

Defending Clients Since 1983

Well-known and respected organizations and companies look to Melick & Porter, LLP for our specialized knowledge and experience in successfully defending recreational lawsuits. Our clients include youth and community organizations, ski resorts, golf courses, tubing parks, alpine slides, skating rinks, athletic facilities, amusement parks, campgrounds, boating and canoeing operators, and mountain biking facilities. Our attorneys have successfully defended organizations against claims of negligent supervision, coaching, refereeing, and facility management. We have secured defense verdicts in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Whether you run a ski resort or coach a sports team, you can rely on our recreational liability lawyers for effective representation.

What Are Recreational Accidents & Injuries?

Recreational activities include sports and activities that require a certain amount of labor, which is why it is common for the facilities that offer them to face personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Popular recreational activities include snowboarding, hiking, hunting, camping, ziplining, and boating.

Recreational activities often pose a risk of injury. Although most injuries sustained during recreational activities are accidental, some injured individuals may file claims against facilities alleging negligence. Common injuries that individuals cite in their claims include strains or sprains, broken bones, burns, exposure to toxins, head and brain trauma, and death.

Common Types Of Liability Cases

Recreational liability cases can affect everyone from coaches and teachers involved in team sports, to owners of facilities such as amusement parks and golf courses. Recreational liability cases may also include allegations of product liability, sexual abuse, and wrongful death.

Common types of recreational liability cases include:

• Negligence in team sports, including basketball, baseball, and football
• Water-related injuries such as drowning from activities at tubing parks and amusement parks
• Insufficient supervision of activities including sports practices and pool activities
• Negligence of ski resorts, hotel pools, and athletic facilities
• Faulty rental equipment at athletic facilities and ski lodges

Business owners may have prepared for these types of claims by requiring athletes or participants to sign waiver or release forms. However, many waivers contain flaws that claimants and lawyers use to strengthen their cases. Melick & Porter can review your waivers and update them as needed.

Also Providing Services In Product Liability Cases

Our sports and recreation work includes defending companies in product liability cases. We have represented manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of sports equipment, including snowboards, recreational tramways, skis, ski bindings, climbing equipment, and bicycles.

Offering Trusted Counsel On Liability Prevention

Our attorneys regularly counsel sports and recreation companies and organizations on how to avoid or minimize their liability risks. We routinely draft participation forms and release agreements, and we have successfully enforced such releases signed by adults and minors.

Furthermore, we help improve our clients’ safety policies and procedures as well perform streamlined accident investigations. If you are facing a recreational liability claim, need to update your participation forms or release agreements, or are looking for assistance with an accident investigation, Melick & Porter, LLP should be part of your team.

Our recreational liability lawyers are proud to serve clients throughout New England.