ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

 
 
The Laboratory Safety Institute talks about liability and negligence all  the 
time in our training programs.  We would welcome the opportunity to  
participate in such a discussion.  We feel our point of view is fair and  balanced.  
 
We have served as expert witnesses in cases (over 20 years) where science  
students have been burned over 50% of their bodies in teacher demonstration  
accidents.  I guarantee you there is no one on this discussion list who  would 
trade places with the plaintiff for double the money they  received.   ... Jim
 
Counterpoint ...
PS.  The issue is not whether the coffee was hot or not.  The  issue was 
whether it was unreasonably hot.  One of the socially beneficial  outcomes of that 
case was that other vendors reduced the temperature of their  hot chocolate 
from scalding (195 F) to reasonable so that your 8-10 year old son  or daughter 
would not be crippled and scared for life at a fast food  restaurant.
 
 
 
In a message dated 9/21/2006 12:01:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Date:    Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:23:30 -0500
From:   jeff courtman <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Liability -  Topic for astc 2007?

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of  Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science  museums and related  
institutions.
*****************************************************************************

the  balloon thing got me thinking:

liability is a bugaboo for science  centers and the like; we encourage the
sort of activity (i hope) that leads  to more excited play by children. yet,
surprisingly, if i understand  correctly, our liability carriers don't charge
us an arm and a leg for  coverage.  but accidents do happen and if you're in
the field long  enough you will likely witness either a claim or a lawsuit or
some other  unpleasantness (or maybe i'm unlucky).

I would love to hear from  experts in the field about the questions of
liability, and how we might  focus our institutional thinking without
becoming paranoid to the point of  silliness (Warning:  your morning coffee
may be extremely hot.   Do not spill it on your legs.  Do not pour on your
pets or your  coworkers.)

If there's interest from others, i'll see what i can  do....

Jeff Courtman
Exhibits & Special Projects  Coordinator
251.208.6851
Exploreum Science Center
www.exploreum.net  <http://www.exploreum.net/> 



 
   ************************
James A.  Kaufman, Ph.D.
President/CEO
The Laboratory Safety  Institute
Safety in Science and Science Education      
192 Worcester Road,  Natick, MA 01760
508-647-1900  Fax:  508-647-0062  
Cell: 508-574-6264 Res: 781-237-1335
[log in to unmask] www.labsafety.org  

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