Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

I'm 54, married, daughter in college. I own a small manufacturing business ( C Corporation). My hobby is martial arts and I act as an instructor several classes per week. I don't get paid for teaching these classes, but I don't have to pay tuition for taking classes. I just found out, that the school owner

has no business insurance. If one of the students in my class were to be hurt, and the parents decided to sue, what is my exposure? Could I lose my business, house, and everything I've worked

so hard for? How can I protect myself?


Asked on 1/18/10, 6:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Randall Brett Law Office of Randall P. Brett

The fact that you are not paid is irrelevant. If someone is injured during or as a result of your class, I can guarantee that you will be the first or second person the injured party goes after. As a business owner, you are assumed to have "deep pockets" and a plaintiff will assuredly look to you to recover for his/her loss (if you're sued by a minor, the parent initiates the suit on behalf of the child). While a school should have liability insurance to cover such an eventuality - and may be required to by the state licensing authority - it appears that your school does not. Therefore, you should talk to an insurance broker immediately regarding available policies and costs.

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Answered on 1/23/10, 1:38 pm


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