The Idlewild Baptist Church lawsuit is a case that occurred in 2010 in Florida. The case involved a 14-year-old boy who was injured on a church-sponsored skiing trip. The boy’s mother sued the church, alleging inadequate instruction and supervision.
Background
In 2003, Idlewild Baptist Church took a group of young people on a skiing trip to North Carolina. The boy who was injured, identified as “J.C.,” had never been skiing before. He was given a brief lesson on the basics of skiing, but he was not supervised by any church staff while he was skiing.
While skiing, J.C. was hit by another skier and sustained serious spinal and nerve injuries. He was paralyzed from the waist down.
Lawsuit
J.C.’s mother sued Idlewild Baptist Church, alleging that the church was negligent in its supervision of her son. She argued that the church should have provided more instruction and supervision to J.C., given his lack of experience skiing.
Trial and Verdict
The case went to trial in 2010. A jury found Idlewild Baptist Church liable for J.C.’s injuries and awarded the family $5 million. However, the jury also found that J.C.’s mother was 5 percent responsible for her son’s injuries, reducing the verdict to $4.75 million.
Appeal
Idlewild Baptist Church appealed the verdict, arguing that the jury should not have found the church liable for J.C.’s injuries. The church also argued that the verdict was excessive.
Appellate Court Ruling
In 2012, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal overturned the jury’s verdict. The court found that the church owed J.C. a duty of care, but that the church did not breach that duty. The court also found that the jury’s verdict was excessive.
Conclusion
The Idlewild Baptist Church lawsuit is a reminder of the importance of safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities. Churches should take steps to ensure that their members and guests are safe while participating in church activities.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of the Idlewild Baptist Church lawsuit?
A: The Florida Second District Court of Appeal overturned the jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The court found that the church did not breach its duty of care and that the jury’s verdict was excessive.
Q: What are the implications of the Idlewild Baptist Church lawsuit for churches?
A: The Idlewild Baptist Church lawsuit is a reminder of the importance of safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities. Churches should take steps to ensure that their members and guests are safe while participating in church activities.
Q: What are some specific things that churches can do to improve safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities?
A: Churches can improve safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities by:
- Conducting risk assessments of all church-sponsored activities.
- Developing and implementing safety plans for all church-sponsored activities.
- Ensuring that all church staff and volunteers who supervise church-sponsored activities are properly trained.
- Maintaining adequate insurance coverage.
Q: What can parents do to help ensure that their children are safe while participating in church-sponsored activities?
A: Parents can help ensure that their children are safe while participating in church-sponsored activities by:
- Talking to their children about the importance of safety and following the rules of the activity.
- Asking questions about the church’s safety plans and supervision procedures.
- Supervising their children closely while they are participating in church-sponsored activities.
Q: What resources are available to help churches improve safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities?
A: There are a number of resources available to help churches improve safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities. These resources include:
- The Church Risk Control Corporation (CRC).
- GuideOne Insurance.
- The National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA).
- The Association of Christian Camps and Conferences (ACCC).
Q: What are some of the challenges that churches face in improving safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities?
A: Some of the challenges that churches face in improving safety and supervision on church-sponsored activities include:
- Limited resources.
- Lack of expertise.
- Volunteer turnover.