5 Common Waiver Mistakes Haunted Attraction Operators Make
Waivers and liability releases are critical tools for haunted attraction operators, but poorly drafted waivers can fail to protect you when you need them most. Courts scrutinize waivers carefully, and a waiver that sounds good may not hold up if it doesn’t meet specific legal requirements. Here are five common mistakes we see haunted attraction operators make when drafting or using waivers.
1. Being Too Vague About Risks
Many operators use generic language like “you assume all risks” or “you waive all liability.” Courts often find these overly broad statements unenforceable because they fail to specifically identify what risks participants are actually assuming. A better approach is to specifically describe the risks inherent in your attraction: physical contact from actors, simulated weapons, disorienting environments, sudden movements, loud noises, strobe lights, tight spaces, falls on uneven surfaces, or whatever applies to your experience. The more specific and vivid your description, the more likely the waiver will be enforceable. Participants need to understand exactly what they’re agreeing to.