Drunken Clients / Liability for Equipment Damage

[AndrewUnwin]

Hi All,

I shoot events such as University Balls and Dinners and just recently have started taking a small studio setup with me to do portaits (with nice backgrounds).

Nothing has happened to any of my kit yet, and it is of course properly insured, but do any of you have in your contracts with the organisers of similar events that they are liable for any damage to your equipment caused by the actions of their guests?

Many thanks,
Andrew

[Bob_McDonald]

Andrew:

I have nothing as you ask, but one concern that I would have is that YOU have liability insurance in case some of the drunken clients trip over your stands or cords, etc. and injure themselves. This is not as far-fetched a concern as one might think, as with the spate of host liability cases, a drunken client might sue the organizers, who in turn might third-party you.

bob

[RonDawes]

Andrew,

I assume that England is not as litigious as the US but over here it would be very foolish to not carry liability insurance to protect yourself in such case as someone trips over one of your wires or stands. Some events/venues will not allow you to shoot unless you have proof of insurance. We carry 1 million and that is probably a minimum.

[AndrewUnwin]

Hi,

Thanks for your comments.

Yes - I do have the liability insurance in case anything like that were to happen. Although as you correctly state Society is not quite as quick to sue over in England than the US. (Do people advertise this? Does this increase the tendency of people to 'take a drive' and try it on?)

My point, however, is that a sober person who trips over my equipment and damages themselves is surely one thing but where a drunk person either walks into or throws a pint over a piece of (electrical equipment) is another.

Of course I could claim if kit gets damaged ... but why should it be at my expense (and my premiums) if the damage is caused by irresponsible guests?

What tips do people have for 'fencing off' equipment - I've heard sandbags mentioned for lighting stands?

Thanks,
Andrew

[rolland_elliott]

'fencing off' equipment tips:

Use battery powered strobes when at all possible.
Lumedyne and Norman Powerpacks work great and are cheap used. Maybe $300 per head and 200 watt second power pack. If you are doing small couples/headshots you can even get away with some vivitar 283's and lead acid battery packs for around $70 each. They are battery powered so there are no cords to trip over!

Use Sandbags on bottom of light stands.

Use radio or optical slaves to trip strobes.

Use umbrellas not softboxes which tend to be front heavy.

Carry a large table cloth and put all your excess bags and gear under your table and then hide it neatly with the table cloth.

If you must use cords (like shooting tethered) spray paint them bright orange. Tape down everythign else with gafers tape.

I have a firewire cable painted in this fashion, not fool proof, but it works. I tie it to the table leg I am using and then plug it into my laptop. That way if some clumsy guy trips over it they wont' take my laptop with them.

Have a sign saying no food or drink allowed. Half of the people won't read it but some will.

Personally I don't think a clause stating the organization is responsible for drunk idiots would go well in the USA. If a guest destroys your gear, sue them, not the organization.

Peace, Rolland