Gruesome life-changing injuries from tug-of-war matches (e.g., Colorado, Oct. 12; North Carolina, 2003; Taiwan, 1997; Tennessee, 1995) are rare, but not unheard of. Safety measures on tug-of-war ropes are possible. Do everyday ropes, used for a variety of purposes other than tug-of-war, need warning labels? Do previous injuries put the Colorado school district on notice: i.e., does a single publicized injury now make every school district effectively strictly liable if future injuries occur? What happens when tug-warriors disregard safety rules because the obvious risk of wrapping rope around a body part is not clearly spelled out? (Keep in mind in the Stella Liebeck McDonald’s coffee case, the plaintiffs complained that the coffee-cup warning that the beverage was hot wasn’t clear enough about the risk of injury.)
Related posts
In Colorado; failure to warn; North Carolina; product liability; Tennessee; tug-of-war
See, this is what happens when kids don’t learn anything in school.
Physics, people, physics!
This article on ropes got my interest because my son is enrolled in a youth seamanship program on a tall ship with about 200 ropes on it, many of which are under load. The insurance premiums are 10K per month.
Colorado school districts should be immune from bodily injury claims from students under the state’s governmental immunity act.
I am a witness to the Oct 12 accident in CO. First off, I will tell you that both boys’ doctors are fully hopeful and sure that they will have a full recovery. Secondly, neither families have presented or suggested possible lawsuits. And finally, you cannot blaim the school for a freak accident over an innocent childs game.