The school district, the volunteer (mentor, business owner or other), the student and the student’s parents all have liabilities and responsibilities when involved in a career related learning experience. General liability, workers compensation and auto liability issues are all potentially involved for all parties when a student and volunteer are involved in off-campus activities.
District Responsibilities and Liabilities
District representatives setting up a work-experience opportunity are responsible for educating all parties involved about the expectations, responsibilities and liabilities of the relationship.
Recommended sign-up procedures (see CRLE forms) are designed to protect all parties involved. If liability issues are understood by all parties involved and appropriate release forms and other necessary documentation are used, the District can protect itself from successful damage claims. Additionally, this knowledge and documentation will make it clear to all participants what they are getting involved in, helping individuals evaluate if the experience is one in which they want to participate.
Volunteer (mentor, business owner, other) Responsibilities and Liabilities
Liability: Volunteers have some liability for:
- Actions of students.
- Their own actions.
- Hazards or supervision-related problems occurring at their place of business.
- The volunteer has total liability for intentional acts, such as sexual molestation or assault.
By designating the mentor/business owner/other as a “volunteer” certain district coverages are available to the volunteer, including:
Liability Coverage: Volunteers are eligible for District 4J general liability insurance coverage for unintentional bodily injury or property damage to a third party.
Workers’ Compensation: Volunteers may be eligible for district workers’ compensation coverage if an injury occurs during the scope of their volunteer activities.
Auto Coverage: Auto liability coverage may be available beyond the limits of personal coverage. Approved volunteers who will be transporting students should follow the guidelines under Transporting Students in Private Vehicles.
Student and Parent Responsibilities and Liabilities
Liability: Parents will be liable, up to $7,500 for intentional student behavior that injures a third party. Students will:
- Be liable for intentional student behavior that injures a third party.
- Not be covered under District 4J general liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or property damage due to intentional conduct.
- Be covered under 4J general liability insurance for unintentional bodily injury or property damage to a third party.
Workers’ Compensation
- In unpaid career related learning experience settings, workers’ compensation through 4J may be available for work-related student injuries.
- In paid career related learning experience settings, the organization paying the wage is responsible for workers’ compensation in cases of work-related student injury. The career related learning coordinator should confirm that the business provides workers’ compensation coverage before the starting date of a placement.
- If a student is injured and covered by workers’ compensation, time loss benefits are not provided.
Auto Coverage: No insurance coverage is provided for students using personal vehicles for travel to and from the work-experience site or for travel on work-related activities.
NOTE: The information included on this page is intended as a summary only. It is not a legally binding description or statement. School district and insurance company policies take precedence over any information provided here.
