Legal Issues for a Saber Club?

[Master Nero Attoru]

I thought that the waiver was just a form saying that you were practicing on your own responsibility and if you got hurt you agreed not to hold the others responsible, or am I mistaken? Possibly the word has a different meaning that I thought. Anyway, the advice is sound: get them to sign a <whatever> and get insurance. It costs little, and potentially saves a lot.

I think the law is different here in America - for fencing anyway.  Typically I've had to sign a waiver that states that I perform at my own risk, and that's more or less it.  Of course, I certainly wouldn't discourage a "better safe than sorry" mentality - when it comes to legality issues it just makes sense!

[Master Rel]

I own my own school and my family has owned an athletic facility for most of my life. Do not mess around with this stuff. It is serious and everyone who has ever been bitten by this has said "we have been doing it for ...years and nothing has happened yet.". Protect yourself and your participants.
Nero and Fury are correct.

Get waivers!!!!! Know your local laws and your responsibilities and be safe.

You can loose eyes, get serious soft tissue injuries, puncture wounds, abrasions, sprains, falls, concussions, broken bones, and anything else you can get while actively moving. If one kid gets a broken rib because he tripped over a root while dueling with an instructor, you are in jeopardy of being held responsible.

Every community has slightly different laws on such things. Find out what they are and comply with them.

If you are dueling and have zero experience, I hope you are using protective gear. If not, start. It only takes one accident to kill the entire endeavor. And it will be an accident that does it. Something you didn't plan for. Plan for everything. We have gear videos here that can give you that idea.

All of this...we agree this all of this.

To operate anything close to a club or otherwise with LED saber combat practice or even the choreography without all of the above is pretty much like running through highway traffic dodging cars...with your eyes closed.

You will knock a tooth out...$1000-$3000...smack an eyeball...$10,000-$30,000...how about just break a guy's finger?...no big deal right?...well he was walking through the park, he thought the sabers were cool, he just wanted to play with you guys...then you are up on charges for injuring a special needs person...seems extreme but what would your defense be?...do you think the jury will care that you did not intend to hurt him...but wait you did swing a near-unbreakable yard long stick at his person with the intent of making contact, sounds like assault...assault with a weapon...around here that gets you 9-99 years in prison.

I would quickly get your ducks in a row before something bad happens.

[Hake Felflame]

In other words, the legal system has ruined personal responsibility and "walking it off". So C.Y.A.

[Darth Nonymous]

In other words, the legal system has ruined personal responsibility and "walking it off". So C.Y.A.

"Walking it off" is responsible for an enormous number ruined young athletes. Careers over before they begin. And so many of these are 100% preventable.
 Plus, unprotected and unsupervised fighting with weapons is the furthest thing from "personal responsibility" in my opinion.

[Master Rel]

In other words, the legal system has ruined personal responsibility and "walking it off". So C.Y.A.

That is a curious thought.

It was not the legal system...it was people suing each other for every little thing that created the process that exists.

Look to states that have exponentially more frivolous lawsuits than others have installed laws to protect against such, like California.  There was a point that you had to expect at least one person to sue you in your lifetime...for something that falls within personal responsibility...guy tries to rob you and trips over your garden hose, sues you, and wins...kids get into a little fight at school and then you end up paying for the other kid's private school because of the social scarring...etc.

Laugh it off all you like, it is the way it is today...there is always someone looking to avoid working and having you pay their bills.

It does suck.

[Master Rel]

"Walking it off" is responsible for an enormous number ruined young athletes. Careers over before they begin. And so many of these are 100% preventable.
 Plus, unprotected and unsupervised fighting with weapons is the furthest thing from "personal responsibility" in my opinion.

This...all of this...we also agree with this...too many people hurt forever because they were all YOLO...protect yourself, protect everyone around you, and put safety before yea haw.

In Ft Lauderdale during spring break we would joke, though we were serious, that every time you heard a woooooooo it was quickly followed up with an ambulance.