Adventure camps in Georgia offer kids the thrill of cliff jumping, obstacle racing, and ziplining. But when something goes wrong, such as a serious fall or drowning, families often learn too late that some camps operate with little oversight.
Many camps are exempt from state inspections and staff background checks. That lack of regulation can create dangerous situations, especially when extreme activities are involved.
How OSHA Standards Can Support Negligence Claims
Even though OSHA rules are meant for employee safety, they set a clear standard for how camps should manage risk. Camps that ignore these safety basics, like injury logs, PPE, or bloodborne pathogen plans, may show a larger pattern of negligence. When staff members are untrained, or safety procedures are missing altogether, those lapses can be used as evidence if a child gets hurt.
In extreme settings, those small safety gaps can lead to major harm. That’s especially true for camps that design their own cliffs, jumps, or obstacle courses without proper supervision or maintenance.
The Limits of Liability Waivers
Many camps ask parents to sign waivers that limit the camp’s legal responsibility. These documents can make families feel like they’ve signed away their rights. But in reality, waivers don’t always hold up in court, especially if the camp’s actions were reckless.
Georgia law generally enforces waivers, but not if the injury resulted from gross negligence. For example, if a camp failed to test a cliff jump, skipped safety briefings, or ignored known hazards, that could open the door for legal action. Courts may also question waivers that are vague, confusing, or forced on families without explanation.
Why Some Activities Carry Higher Legal Risk
Activities like cliff jumping, ziplining, or constructed obstacle courses are high-risk and often manmade. That matters. If a camp built the challenge and didn’t make it safe, they may be held responsible for the injuries it caused. The more a camp advertises these features while failing to manage them properly, the stronger the case for negligence.
At The Williams Litigation Group, we represent children and families injured in extreme camp environments. If a camp failed to provide a safe setting or if someone got hurt during a high-risk activity like cliff jumping, contact us. We’ll review your case and explain your legal options.