What is the UC Waiver of Liability?
The UC Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement is a written agreement that says the University of California will not be liable for harm suffered by participants in a specific event or activity. Although waivers are primarily legal tools, they also serve an educational purpose by making people think about the potential risks of an activity. Lawsuits involving sports participation and injuries in off-campus field trips and travel remain a problem. The University can protect itself from the legal liability that arises from participation in these activities; it is legal and appropriate. If a claim is filed, and the activity is voluntary and elective, having obtained a UC Waiver may be, legally and appropriately, the University’s first line of defense. A department that sponsors activities that go beyond routine employment or classroom instruction, must use the UC Waiver to reduce the University’s legal liability for activities for which it is legally able to obtai
