What should I include in a legal waiver in order for it to be valid and stand up in almost any court?

Question

I am going to be "blowing out" sprinkler systems in the neighborhood and I want to create a waiver that says I am not responsible if a pipe freezes during the winter or anything else happening to it. I live in Illinois, please include VERY DETAILED responses including state laws if necessary. PLEASE responses only from those who are in the legal field or who have had experience creating legal waivers before.

For me, it would not be worth contacting an attorney because I'm not planning to make over $200. Is there anyone out there that would offer legal help for free...?

Answer 1

Coragryph is precisely correct - and there's an additional reason to contact an attorney: it's important that the attorney who reviews your situation understands what "blowing out" a sprinkler system means.

It's not clear that any written waiver would be valid. If what you mean is that you will be making modifications to or installing the systems, and people will be relying upon your work, and your work is somehow flawed and causes injury or property damage - you're likely to have a problem.

Answer 2

Honestly -- get an attorney to write it -- one who specializes in either tort law or contract drafting.

Waivers can be complex, and involve a lot of legal research to make sure they are current with the phrasings that your state courts (and potentially local federal courts) would require.

An attorney would charge you probably 2~3 hours -- total probably under $500 -- to draft the contract and waiver -- which for any significant contract is money well spent.