Lawyer explains why she never signs liability waivers for her children's activities

People often sign forms and papers so hurriedly that they ignore the crucial details mentioned there, especially if it is about their children. Later, they have to pay a heavy price for this ignorance. Shannon Schott—who goes by @shannonschott.esq on TikTok—shares how dangerous such situations can get by asking parents to wait before signing any liability forms at amusement parks or other places. “I do not waive my child’s rights when it comes to waiving liability in the event of a catastrophic injury or death when my child does certain things or engages in certain activities. I just won’t do it,” says Schott, also a personal injury attorney.

She shares that many parents believe it is vital to consent to certain terms to participate in activities, but it is not. Schott then talks about what she does when asked to fill out a waiver form. First, if the person asking to sign does not pay attention, she doesn’t do it. In case, they ask her to sign a waiver online, she says, “Ok, thanks,” but doesn’t do it. “I don’t do it and no one checks and that’s not on me. That’s me being smart and not waiving my child’s rights,” the attorney shares. She emphasizes that just because she avoids signing these forms doesn’t mean she wants to “catfish” someone into a lawsuit. “We are very safe. We follow rules. I’m just not willing to waive my child’s rights if they are injured through no fault of their own or, of course, if they die.”

Schott then talks about what she would do if an employee forced her to fill out the form. “If I’m required to go to a kiosk and type in a little form, I just don’t put in the correct information because, again, I’m not willing to agree to waive any of my child’s rights. And then if I’m forced with a form that is a piece of paper, I sign the piece of paper and then on the section that waives my child’s rights, I draw a line and I write, ‘decline.’” Schott adds that she also does this when her kids’ school asks for a waiver to be filled. “I write ‘decline’ and then I sign it. And if someone says, ‘Well, then you can’t come in here,’ that’s fine,” she explains.

The attorney also has an important message for other parents. She requests them not to waive off the liabilities to go into a trampoline park or for a little ride. “And if you’re being forced to sign something for your child to do something that they want to do, like a sport or an activity, just decline the part that says, ‘I absolve you of all liability, even if you kill my kid.’ Just write in ‘decline,’ sign it…,” Schott says. The mother adds that it is good to sign “decline” in these forms because they do not want to go to an attorney in case of an incident and then to be told that nothing can be done about it.

People found the video helpful, but some had intriguing questions as well. @thisisharlie commented, “I appreciate this. My mom knows the answer to just about every question I have, but this is one that’s always felt wrong to me. This info is great to have.” @alliecano.SAHM wrote, “This is so smart. I’ll start doing this.” @soberqueenx expressed, “I’ve never even thought of this..very eye-opening...I don’t know how many times I’ve done this at trampoline parks, etc.” @thewellnessyoudesire said, “I cross off and initial. I have a hard time though, with the online ones where you can’t waive certain parts of a contract. Some things need my right information so I can’t just fib and put else. Help!” @mwmom77 shared, “I always wondered about this. I get so nervous about my kids at camp. But ours do check. They don’t accept them at camp without the computer showing the paperwork. We’d never be able to do anything.”

You can follow Shannon Schott (@shannonschott.esq) for more content on laws related to injury and arrest.