Liability of the location owner

[+MEKABoyer]

Hi,

I am looking to place a geocache near an antique water pump located near our water board. The pumpis a display only piece with a sign detailing what it was. I approached the manager of the water board who had never heard of geocaching so I explained it to him. He said that the only problem that he would have with it is if someone fell and got injured and then sued the water board. So I guess my question is, is there any way to releive the location owner, i.e. the water board in this case, from any liability should someone fall while geocaching?

 

Thank You,

 

Mike

[+Team GPSaxophone]

The liability is no different for them whether it is a geocacher or someone who stopped by to read the sign they put up detailing what the pump was.

[+J the Goat]

Without knowing the layout of the area, I'd suggest placing a cache very near the pump, but in a safe place. Everyone can sue anyone for anything, so if the property manager is worried about it, ask them where they think a good place for the cache would be, and put it there. Just a thought.

[AZcachemeister]

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This disclaimer basically only applies to Groundspeak, but most cachers understand that they are responsible for their own actions.

 

If the 'display item' has dangerous aspects, they are already at risk from people who are not geocachers.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Lay opinion, don't know the law, but I think that if no fee is charged for access then the landowner has greatly reduced liability.

[+StarBrand]

Have them look up laws governing 'recreational use' of lands.

 

In most areas of the United States, lands designated for recreational use of the public have some fairly broad protections from liability - so long as no fees are charged.

 

Check all local, and state laws though.

[+Lil Devil]

Let me get this straight. They have a water pump. They put up a sign so people can walk up and read what it is. And they're worried about liability. Then why did they put up the freaking sign????

[jholly]

Let me get this straight. They have a water pump. They put up a sign so people can walk up and read what it is. And they're worried about liability. Then why did they put up the freaking sign????

And why didn't they put a fence around it with prominently displayed no trespassing signs? Seems to me the only way you can justify the liability issue is that now more people will come to this area and in this larger sample there might be one that will sue. But then again the smaller sample with no geocachers there might be one that would sue if hurt. Seems to me the only way to remove the liability is to make going there violation of no trespassing, and even with that I'm sure some smart junk yard dog lawyer wouldn't still be able to win a settlement.

[+tozainamboku]

Let me get this straight. They have a water pump. They put up a sign so people can walk up and read what it is. And they're worried about liability. Then why did they put up the freaking sign????

Someone might actually look for a geocache. They don't really expect anyone to stop and read the sign or look at the pump. If they were worried about that, they could list it as a waymark to make sure nobody would ever visit it.

[sabrefan7]

Let me get this straight. They have a water pump. They put up a sign so people can walk up and read what it is. And they're worried about liability. Then why did they put up the freaking sign????

Someone might actually look for a geocache. They don't really expect anyone to stop and read the sign or look at the pump. If they were worried about that, they could list it as a waymark to make sure nobody would ever visit it.

 

I had to chuckle when I read Lil Devils comment,, but yours was even funnier