Creating a gym liability waiver?

Hey everybody,

I've got a question about legal coverage for operating a small, free bouldering gym in my garage

I am building a small bouldering gym in my garage, with the intention of opening it t omy friends and the local climbing community (almost entirely university students). My landlord was all for it, until he considered the possibility of someone hurting themselves and suing.

I am a student as well, does anyone know what my options are for legally covering myself and my landlord in this case? Can I legally create a waiver like you have to sign at normal gyms? Would it be legally binding?

I have no intention to charge anyone to use the gym. Many of my buddies have pledged to put some money in to fund the materials to build the walls and floor, and in exchange I will give them a key to the garage, however I will never charge anyone an entry fee.

If anyone has ever been in this position or has any experience with my situation, help would be mega appreciated!

I bet you can find a pdf copy of a liability waiver from a climbing gym somewhere that you can use. Just change the some of the language to reflect the new facility and you're good.

Thank you guys, I've gotten referred to a lawyer and am waiting for a call back, I'll post what I find out.

I was reading about tort cases in gyms, and overwhelmingly the gym is not found to be at fault, considering the terms of a waiver signed, so I suppose I just need to find the right waiver for my area...

Just remember when you do something like this on your personal property you open your self up to be liable personally. Make sure you have an umbrella policy which you should anyway.

Your buddy comes over to use your wall. He blows out his knee either on the wall or going up your steps. He may not have insurance and he cant afford to take off work for 6 months to recover. When he gets his bills for something
minor like that,it could total $50,000. He will also be out of work and have no income.
He may have no choice but to sue you in order to pay his bills.
Remember you have a house and also have insurance.. hopefully