Volunteer Protection Laws
Categories: Regulations
Dragging lil' old volunteers into lawsuits by major institutions is kind of, well...a turn-off for volunteers. Why volunteer if it puts your financial self at risk? Let the guy burn in his overturned car. Send someone for graham crackers and marshmallows while you gather a few sticks.
That’s why volunteer protection laws exist. The Good Sam Club is one of them (Good Samaritans). The federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 was created to limit volunteers’ risk of tort liability (causing harm, damage, or injury to another) when volunteering with government orgs and nonprofits.
Of course, if you’re a sadist, don’t think these laws will have your back. Volunteers can still be held liable for their actions via civil liability, such as in the case of negligent conduct resulting in sizeable damages.
It’s okay...we won’t sue you for breaking that printer. It deserved it.
