What you’ll discover:
Release forms are a simple approach to safeguard your company by obtaining an agreement or permission in writing. They may absolve you of responsibility if a person participates in an activity that you own or manage, goes to a place with you for an activity, wins a contest or sweepstakes that you’ve sponsored, or if your firm provides services at sites that you don’t control or run. They may also record an individual’s permission to use their picture or likeness on your website or in marketing materials. If you intend to cancel an existing contract, you may have both parties sign a release indicating that the deal is no longer valid.
Every endeavor involves some level of risk. If your company intends to organize or support any form of activity, each participant should sign an Activity Release of Liability.
This contract will restrict responsibility in the event that activity participants are injured or suffer property damage. The following information should be included in your Activity Release of Liability: what activity is the subject of the release; who will be released from liability; who will be participating in the activity; the emergency contact person and their relationship to the signee; and the date the release will be signed. It is also advisable to obtain liability insurance.
To protect yourself against legal responsibility, if you are offering services or conducting an event on another person’s property, you should have them sign a General Liability Release of Claims. This document may also be used if you provide a service that puts you at risk of legal liability.
When you utilize genuine customer tales and photographs on your website and other marketing channels, you show your clients precisely what you can give them. Nevertheless, before you post customer images or share their story, make sure they sign a Photo Release.
If you decide to organize a contest or sweepstakes, the winner(s) must sign an agreement allowing you to use their name and picture for promotional reasons. As the contest or sweepstakes sponsor, you should have a paper signed so that you are not held liable for the winners’ use (or abuse) of the prize.
