‘Reasonable, competent supervision’ required of church-owned school in playground assault case
A Louisiana court rules that a church-owned school was required to provide "reasonable, competent supervision" in a playground assault case.
Negligence
Child’s Injury Raises Questions of Church Liability
The case highlights the duty churches have to promptly identify and correct dangerous conditions.
Member Sickened from Food at Church Banquet Not Allowed to Sue Caterer
While the church wasn’t named in lawsuit, churches should note the potential liability they could face if accused of negligence.
Intentional and Grossly Negligent Acts Negate Release Forms
A Texas appellate court says a signed release form didn’t bar an injured soccer player from pursuing an assault lawsuit.
A Church Could Be Liable for a Retired Pastor’s Acts of Sexual Abuse
Claims of negligent hiring and retention depend on whether he was an agent or employee of the church.
Woman Could Sue Her Former High School for Negligent Supervision in Abuse Claim
But the appeals court ruled that she could not sue for negligent hiring.
Church Not Liable for Injuries Sustained by Teen at Youth Event
Case demonstrates the difficulty of proving negligence claims for injuries caused by “open and obvious” hazards unless concealed by a distraction such as darkness.
Pastor’s Multiple Acts of Sexual Misconduct Not Necessarily Protected by First Amendment
The First Amendment does not categorically insulate religious relationships from judicial scrutiny.
A Church Could Be Liable for Negligent Hiring and Supervision
Negligent supervision claims are not premised on notice of a worker’s misconduct or the potential for it. Liability is based on a duty to supervise that . . . exists independently of what was known or should have been known about the worker himself.
Court Rules Church’s Insurance Policy Exclusion Precludes Coverage for Church in Negligence Lawsuit
Sexual misconduct exclusions in church insurance policies may apply even though a church is being sued on the basis of vicarious liability, negligence, or some other form of "indirect" liability.
Court Dismisses Negligent Supervision Lawsuit in Student Sexual Abuse Case
Case illustrates the importance of "foreseeability" in finding a school or church liable on the basis of negligent supervision for acts of child molestation.
Church Found Not Liable in Case of Pastoral Affair
Court concluded that the plaintiff failed to show sufficient evidence of any negligence by the church to warrant a trial.
Appeals Court Finds Sufficient Evidence of Negligence in Lawsuit over Missions Trip Death
The court ruled that the mother had produced sufficient evidence of the church's negligence to survive the church's motion for summary judgment.
North Carolina Appeals Court Ruling Shows Limits of Negligent Selection and Negligent Supervision
Church Law and Tax Report North Carolina Appeals Court Ruling Shows Limits of Negligent Selection
Responding to Anonymous Allegations
An unknown party seriously accuses a church leader. What should be done?
What I Learned from Advising the Boy Scouts of America During Their Abuse Crisis
An attorney’s advice for organizations on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.
Pastor, Church, and Denomination Could Face Liability for Negligent Supervision But Not for ‘Duty to Warn’
Church Law and Tax Report Pastor, Church, and Denomination Could Face Liability for Negligent Supervision
New York Court Rules Custody and Responsibility of Children Ceases, Even on Property, When Parents Pick Up Their Children
Church Law and Tax Report New York Court Rules Custody and Responsibility of Children Ceases,
Court Rules Religious School Can Be Sued for Child’s Bullying
Church Law and Tax Report Court Rules Religious School Can Be Sued for Child’s Bullying
A Church’s Knowledge and Liability
Key point 8-24. A reference letter is a letter that evaluates the qualifications and suitability