Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities - Part 2

Key point 10-16.5. The legal liability of churches and their officers, directors, and volunteers, is limited by state and federal "charitable immunity" laws.

Negligence as a Basis for Liability

* A New Jersey court ruled that a state charitable immunity law prevented a woman from suing a church as a result of injuries she suffered when she tripped on a sidewalk adjacent to the church. A church member ("Jackie") was driven to church by a friend to attend Sunday morning services. When they arrived at church, Jackie got out of the car carrying a Bible and began walking along a sidewalk next to the church. As she neared the front of the church, she tripped on a raised metal grate and fell, suffering a knee injury. She later sued the church for negligence. The church claimed that the lawsuit was barred by the New Jersey "Charitable Immunity Act" which provides that ...