Getting injured while volunteering for a charitable cause or participating in a community fundraising event can be both physically painful and emotionally confusing, as many people assume they have no legal recourse when hurt while helping others. The reality is that volunteers and charity event participants retain important legal rights when injured due to negligence, unsafe conditions, or inadequate supervision, even when contributing their time and energy to worthy causes.
At Hollis Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges that arise when good Samaritans suffer injuries while trying to make a positive difference in their communities. With over 15 years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout Kansas City and surrounding areas, our legal team has helped numerous clients navigate the complex liability issues surrounding volunteer-related injuries and recover compensation for their medical expenses and other damages.
Understanding Liability in Volunteer and Charity Settings
Determining liability when injuries occur during volunteer work or charity events requires examining the specific circumstances of the accident and the legal relationships between all parties involved. While volunteers often sign waivers or assume certain risks, these documents don’t automatically eliminate all potential claims, particularly when injuries result from gross negligence or intentionally dangerous conditions.
Charitable organizations have legal duties to provide reasonably safe environments for their volunteers and event participants. This includes properly maintaining facilities, providing adequate training and supervision, ensuring equipment is safe to use, and warning volunteers about known hazards they may encounter during their service.
The concept of “assumption of risk” plays a significant role in volunteer injury cases, but it’s important to understand that this legal doctrine has limits. While volunteers may assume certain obvious risks inherent in their activities, they don’t automatically waive their rights to compensation when injuries result from the organization’s failure to meet basic safety standards.
Common Types of Volunteer-Related Injuries
Construction and manual labor projects represent high-risk volunteer activities where injuries frequently occur. Building homes for Habitat for Humanity, cleaning up parks, or helping with disaster relief efforts can expose volunteers to power tools, heavy materials, unstable structures, and other hazards that require proper training and safety equipment.
Event setup and teardown activities also generate numerous volunteer injuries, particularly when working with heavy equipment, electrical systems, or temporary structures. Volunteers helping with festivals, fundraising events, or community gatherings may suffer injuries from inadequately secured equipment, poor lighting, or rushed schedules that prioritize event success over safety.
Food service and kitchen work during charity events can result in burns, cuts, slip and fall accidents, and other injuries when proper safety protocols aren’t followed. Sports and recreational activities organized by charitable organizations carry inherent risks, but injuries may still be compensable when they result from inadequate supervision, faulty equipment, or failure to follow established safety rules.
Immediate Steps After a Volunteer Injury
Seeking prompt medical attention should be your first priority after any injury, regardless of how minor it may initially appear. Some injuries, particularly head trauma and internal injuries, may not produce immediate symptoms but can become serious if left untreated. A professional medical evaluation also creates important documentation linking your injuries to the volunteer activity.
Report the injury to the organization’s leadership immediately, ensuring that an incident report is filed and that you receive a copy for your records. Take photographs of the accident scene, any equipment involved, and your visible injuries as soon as possible after the incident.
Gather contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident occur, as their testimony may be crucial for establishing what happened and whether the organization failed to meet its safety obligations to volunteers.
Insurance Coverage and Compensation Sources
Many charitable organizations carry volunteer accident insurance or general liability coverage that may provide compensation for injured volunteers. However, these policies often have specific limitations, exclusions, and claim procedures that must be followed carefully to ensure coverage applies to your situation.
If your volunteer injury resulted from a third party’s negligence, such as a contractor working at the charity event or a defective product used during volunteer activities, additional insurance coverage or direct liability claims may be available beyond what the charitable organization provides.
Waivers and Legal Protections
Liability waivers are common in volunteer settings, but their enforceability depends on specific language, state law, and the circumstances of the injury. Courts generally scrutinize waivers carefully and may find them unenforceable if they’re overly broad, contain unclear language, or attempt to excuse gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
State laws regarding charitable immunity vary significantly, with some states providing broad protections for nonprofit organizations while others offer little or no special protection. These variations make it essential to consult with local legal counsel familiar with your state’s specific requirements.
Contact Hollis Law Firm for Experienced Legal Guidance
If you’ve been injured while volunteering or participating in a charity event, our experienced legal team can help evaluate your case and determine whether you have grounds for compensation. We understand the unique legal issues surrounding volunteer injuries and have the knowledge necessary to navigate the complex relationships between charitable organizations, insurance coverage, and volunteer rights.
Our commitment to fighting for our clients’ rights has helped us collect over $100 million in settlements and judgments for injury victims throughout Kansas and Missouri. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your case. Contact Hollis Law Firm today at (800) 701-3672 or reach out to us online to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.
