Charity events may not always go according to plan, and someone may sue you in case he or she is injured while attending a charity event that you have organised. This article discusses some of the measures that you can take in order to prevent public liability claims resulting from mishaps (someone tripping over a cable, for example) that could occur at a charity event that you have organised.

Conduct a Safety Check

Walk around the event venue and list down all the possible hazards that the people who attend the charity event may be exposed to. For instance, note down any uncovered sewer tanks as well as any cables that could pose a trip hazard. Take steps to minimise the danger posed by those risks that you have identified. For example, you may cover or cordon off any open sewer tanks with barrier tapes so that guests don't fall into the open tank accidentally.

Share Your Findings

It is also helpful for you to share the information about your findings during the hazard check. This information should be shared with those that are helping you to organise the event. For instance, you can ask them for their opinion about the suitability of the portable toilets that you have rented. Their advice may lead you to rent more toilets so that the risk of a guest slipping on a wet toilet floor is reduced once several toilets are available for use as others are being cleaned.

Constantly Monitor the Venue

Enlist the help of some employees or volunteers to keep an eye on the risky sections of the venue. For instance, someone should be tasked to keep an eye on the walkways in case it is threatening to rain during the event. That employee may the alert you to the need to post a warning that the surface is slippery so that all visitors exercise caution as they walk. Such a warning may save you from being held liable in case someone claims that they slipped and fell due to your negligence in providing a warning about the slip hazard.

No amount of prevention may insulate you completely from a third party liability lawsuit. It is therefore advisable for you to acquire public liability insurance so that the legal fees and court awards, if any, do not ruin you once an attendee sues you or the charity for liability in case he or she is injured when attending the charity event that you organised.