§ 6-5-344 — Volunteer Athletic Coach, Manager, or Official

Alabama § 6-5-344

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 6: Civil Practice
• Ch. 5: Actions
• Art. 18: Exemptions from Liability

Text

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no person who provides services or assistance free of charge, except for reimbursement of expenses, as an athletic coach, manager, or official for a sports team which is organized or performing as a nonprofit or similar entity or which is a member team in a league affiliated with an organized county or municipal recreation department, shall be liable in any civil action for damages to a player, participant, or spectator as a result of his or her acts or omissions arising out of and in the course of rendering that service or assistance.
(b) This section shall apply to competitions, instruction, practice, and other activities related to the organized sport.
(c) Nothing in this section shall grant immunity to any of the following:
(1) Any person causing damage by his or her willful, wanton, or grossly negligent act or omission.
(2) Any coach, manager, assistant, or official who has not participated in a safety and training skills program which shall include, but not be limited to, injury prevention, first aid procedures, and general coaching concepts.
(3) Any person causing damage or injury as a result of his or her negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
(4) Any person for any damage caused by that person permitting a competition or practice to be conducted without supervision.

Legislative History

(Act 2006-605, p. 1668, §1.)