What Parents Should Know About Suing a Summer Camp After an Injury

When children attend summer camps, parents expect they will be safe, but injuries can and do happen. Under California law, you may have the right to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a camp under certain circumstances.

What Camp Operators Must Do

Camps have a legal duty of care toward the children in their charge. This means they must act like a reasonably careful camp would under similar conditions. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing adequate supervision for activities and children
• Maintaining safe equipment, facilities, and grounds
• Having staff with proper training and qualifications
• Following safety protocols for high-risk activities

Common Grounds for Liability

A camp may be held responsible if any of the following apply:

• Negligence in supervision
• Hazardous or unsafe premises (for example slippery floors, broken play equipment, or unmarked hazards)
• Poor or inadequate staff training or lack of proper safety gear
• Violations of applicable safety regulations or licensing requirements

What About Waivers

Camps often require parents to sign waivers or releases that attempt to limit or eliminate the camp’s liability. However, those documents are not always fully enforceable:

• If a waiver does not specifically describe the type of injury your child suffered, it might not block your claim
• Waivers generally cannot protect camp operators for injuries caused by gross negligence or reckless conduct
• Courts may scrutinize waiver language closely to see whether it clearly and conspicuously states what risks are being waived

Steps to Take If Your Child Is Injured

• Get medical treatment right away and keep all medical records
• Document what happened: photographs of the injury, the location where it happened, and any equipment or conditions that contributed
• Gather witness names and statements if possible
• Keep copies of any documents signed, including waivers, camp rules or policy documents
• Talk to a personal injury attorney who can evaluate whether you have a case and help you protect your child’s rights

How Hillstone Law Can Help

Hillstone Law can:

• Review the facts of the injury and assess whether the camp breached its legal duties
• Determine whether your signed waiver may be enforceable or whether exceptions apply
• Gather evidence including facility maintenance records, staff training or certifications, incident reports, and witness statements
• Handle communications and negotiations with the camp’s insurance company
• Pursue fair compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, pain and suffering, and any other losses