SeaWorld makes me sign away my teen's life
Last night I had to sign a form saying I accept that my daughter may die during her upcoming youth group trip to SeaWorld.
Here's what the form said: "There is a chance your child may be seriously injured or killed by participating in this activity because there are certain dangers inherent in the activity which cannot be avoided or eliminated. By signing this form you are giving up your child's right and your right to recover from the released parties in a lawsuit for any personal injury, including death, to your child or any property damage that results from the risks that are a natural part of the activity."
The activity is a sleepover near the beluga whale tank. Are they expecting the whales to escape and attack?
I have had to sign similar field-trip forms before, but this one seemed especially blunt. A 2008 Florida Supreme Court decision says parents can't waive liability on these trips, but still we must sign these forms if we want our kids to go. Fortunately judges seem to understand that a parent does not send her child to SeaWorld in the expectation that she may never see her again.
Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel
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