Dance school don't take responsibility for injuries?

[TaniaIvanov]

First daughter is in Reception and want to know if that's standard practice. She wants to start dance-acrobatics outside of school.
I am reading the contract now and it says

"hereby waive all claims whatsoever in connection with such medical treatments. I agree that (name of dance school) will not be held liable for and agree to hold (name of dance school) harmless from any and all liabilities, losses, damages or expenses related to the student’s participation in any activities at (name of dance school)"
Is that standard practice or is not right?

My understanding is You can't exclude liability for personal injury or death resulting from negligence. Therefore if your daughter injures herself as a result of dance school negligence you could still bring legal action regardless of the waiver.

That said, this kind of liability waiver is fairly standard, most likely because the service providers hope people think they can't take action having signed the waiver.

Disclaimer: I am not a personal injury lawyer, although I do have legal experience about a decade ago in a completely unrelated field.

I’d think that’s to cover the fact that it’s an activity that even if it’s well run and all health and safety protocols are followed... you can still injure yourself and so you won’t be able to do anything about those.

I’m pretty sure if something negligent happens waivers aren’t applicable anyway.

@tabulahrasa

I’d think that’s to cover the fact that it’s an activity that even if it’s well run and all health and safety protocols are followed... you can still injure yourself and so you won’t be able to do anything about those.

I’m pretty sure if something negligent happens waivers aren’t applicable anyway.

This ^^

Yes, it's standard. With the best will in the world people get injured when they dance.

Most good dance teachers will have professional indemnity insurance which will insure them against negligence so if they ask your child to do something totally age/level inappropriate or dangerous (an extreme example would be to put a 7 year old en pointe, or if they had someone unqualified teaching tricks or didn't use the correct equipment, they would be liable for that.

It’s standard but each dance school, especially acro classes, will have their own personal liability insurance.

Yes that is standard.

My dd has been dancing for 15 years. She has had plenty injuries over the years. I've never heard of a parent trying to claim against the school, but they do need to cover themselves.

Absolutely standard. I have had children fall and injure themselves (including a few broken bones) by sheer accident and not because I was negligent. As others have said- it’s a physical exercise and that comes with an amount of risk, as long as the child is not being pushed beyond their capabilities or working in an unsafe environment.