Free Release of Liability (Waiver Form)

Use a release of liability waiver to prevent a company or individual from being sued by a party in the event of an accident. You can download different types of release of liability forms below and learn more about release of liability agreements and what they should include.

Table of Contents

• The 6 Types of Release of Liability Forms
• What is a Release of Liability (Waiver Form)?
• Release of Liability Form When Selling a Car
• Consequences of Not Using a Waiver
• The Most Common Liability Situations
• What Should be Included in a Release of Liability Form?
• How to Write a Release of Liability
• Free Release of Liability Sample

The 6 Types of Release of Liability Forms

A release or waiver is often needed either before or after an incident occurs. Organizations or people may be concerned about being taken to court by someone who accidentally gets injured while attending an event or activity they will be sponsoring. Alternatively, this form is used when an accident like a car wreck or property damage has already occurred. Instead of going through an expensive lawsuit, both parties agree to settle the dispute out of court.

Check out the 6 different types of release of liability waiver templates below, and download the one that applies to your situation.

What is a Release of Liability (Waiver Form)?

A Release of Liability Form or Waiver of Liability Agreement is a legal document between two parties — the releasor or person promising not to sue — and the releasee or person or company who is potentially liable. By signing this waiver form, the releasor acknowledges that he or she understands the risks and claims involved and agrees to not sue the Releasee for past or future injuries or damages.

This form is alternatively used when an accident like a car wreck or property damage has already occurred. Instead of going through an expensive lawsuit, both parties agree to settle the dispute out of court.

A simple release of liability form will identify the following basic elements:

• Releasor: person who promises not to sue or take any legal action against the owner or organizer of the event or activity being attended
• Releasee: owner or organizer of the event or activity who is at risk of being sued
• Effective Date: when the agreement shall take effect
• Event: description of event, activity, or circumstances being held
• Consideration: the amount of money, promised (in)action, or something of legal value given in return for signing the document
• Governing Law: any disagreements will be resolved using the laws of one state

This form can be used to document a person’s consent to be photographed, filmed, or recorded in a public event or activity. A separate Photo Release Form can also be used.

As a reference, people call this document by other names:

• Conditional and Unconditional Waiver Form
• General Waiver
• Legal Release
• Liability Waiver Form
• Waiver of Liability Agreement

Release of Liability Form When Selling a Car

Depending on the state you live in, you may need a waiver of liability when selling your car. When you sell your car, until the title and registration is transferred you are liable for any accidents or injuries caused by the buyer. Therefore, most states require you to notify them within a certain amount of days after selling your car.

To ensure their liability is waived, residents of California who sell their car are required to fill out a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability Form. The Department of Transportation in Idaho requires its residents to fill out a Notice of Release of Liability. Find out if your state requires a waiver form to sell your car.

Consequences of Not Using a Waiver

What happens if you don’t use this form?

Without a written waiver, everyone faces the possibility of being summoned to court or dragging out a disagreement over who owes what.

Here are just a few of the possible consequences that this form can prevent:

The Most Common Liability Situations

These are some of the most common situations in which a waiver form may be used:

What Should be Included in a Release of Liability Form?

A simple release of liability form should generally address the following basics:

• Who promises to not pursue any legal action against another party
• What amount of money or action (including being able to participate in the activity) will be given in exchange for the promise
• When the document takes effect, usually before the activity occurs
• How neither party admits they acted wrongfully by signing the Waiver

A waiver form can address incidents that have already occurred in the past or may happen in the future given the inherent riskiness of the activity.

A liability form may also include one of these additional provisions:

• Assumption of Risk: the participant understands that the activities are inherently hazardous and dangerous yet agree to assume the risk of being injured or harmed
• Insurance: the individual is responsible for their own medical, health, or life insurance
• Medical Treatment: the person will not sue even if they are further injured by any medical treatment given during an emergency at the event
• Modifications: any changes to the document must be in writing
• No Admission: signing the document does not mean either party admits wrongdoing
• Parent or Guardian Signature: a minor under the age of 18 is legally unable to sign a contract, and should have a parent or guardian co-sign the agreement (although in certain states, a parent or guardian cannot waive a minor’s legal rights to sue for negligence)
• Photographic Release: the participant agrees that images or recordings can be used in connection with the event attended
• Right to Attorney: everyone understands that they have the chance to consult with an attorney about the document and are otherwise signing it voluntarily
• Severable: the rest of the document is valid even if one part of the agreement is not
• Witness or Notary: the signature of a third person who acknowledges the form was truly signed by both parties is optional

How to Write a Release of Liability

Here’s a step-by-step on writing a release of liability form:

Step 1 – Releasor and Releasee Details

a) Provide the name of the state in which the event in question will take place.

b) Provide the date on which this agreement will take effect.

c) Name the person who is attending/participating in the event (the releasor). This is the person who is releasing the owner or event organizer from liability by promising not to sue or take legal action. And name the person who is at risk of being sued (the releasee), such as an owner or organizer of an event.

d) Describe the event both Releasor and Releasee are waiving future rights to sue each other for.

Step 2 – Release of Claims

Provide the amount of money, promised (in)action, or something of legal value given to the Releasor by the Releasee in return for signing the Release or Waiver. Money is often offered as a consideration, while other goods and services can also be offered.

 

Step 3 – Governing State (Section 4)

Name the state in which this contract will apply. Usually, it will be the state where both parties reside.

Step 4 – Signatures

Name any witness to the execution of this release and have s/he sign here, It is optional to include the signature of a third person (witnesses or notary) who acknowledges the Release was truly signed by both parties.

Step 5 – Notary Acknowledgement

A notary will complete this section with his or her signature. It is optional to include the signature of a third person (witnesses or notary) who acknowledges the Release was truly signed by both parties.

Free Release of Liability Sample

Download a general release form in PDF or Word format below. You can also find what a general release form typically looks like:

General Release