In British Columbia, a judge has decided that the waivers which parents sign when enrolling their kids in MA have no weight, and that the kids can still sue the instructor if injured. Here's the link:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/10/09/bc-children-waivers.html

It was ruled that under the Infants Act of B.C., a parent cannot sign away a child's right to sue for negligence.

What is the situation in your region? How can kids be protected against negligent instruction while at the same time good instructors be protected against trivial litigation that can put them out of business?

As an instructor and a parent in British Columbia this frightens me. I agree that in the case of gross negligence a waiver is no protection from litigation and it never has been but we need to allow a parent to sign waivers for their children in case of legitimate accidents. If this decision is not overturned it will have a profound affect not only on MA but on youth sports in general. There will be lawsuits in every junior league. What's more parents accept liability when taking their children to the water park, amusement park and any number of other activities so that goes out the window too.

Basically no minors will be allowed in any activity which contains even the smallest amount of risk. Welcome to the bubble wrap generation kids. Go sit in front of your TV and let your body rot because no one will be willing to let you anywhere near something where you could get hurt for fear of a lawsuit.