Risk of Injury on Church Property

Key point 7-20.4. A variety of defenses are available to a church that is sued as a result of an injury occurring on its premises.

* A New York court ruled that a boy who was injured when a large hole on a schoolyard basketball court caused him to fall and injure himself could not sue the school because the danger was open and obvious. Many churches have basketball courts or recreational equipment on their property that is used by neighborhood children during the week. Church leaders often are concerned about potential liability to the church for injuries that occur to minors using the church's facilities, and wonder how this risk may be reduced or eliminated. Some wonder if the risk is too great to justify the use of recreational facilities. A recent case in New York is instructive. A 14-year-old boy was injured while playing basketball with several friends at a schoolyard owned by a public ...