A liability waiver (also called a release) is a signed agreement in which a participant gives up the right to sue for certain injuries. If you are hosting a party, school event or church festival with a bounce house in South Carolina, here is what the state’s courts have said about when these documents hold up, where they fall short, and what to do alongside one. This is general information, not legal advice; have a South Carolina attorney review any waiver you plan to rely on.
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What South Carolina courts look for
South Carolina courts enforce some releases, but they read them strictly against the business relying on them. Two Court of Appeals decisions show where the line sits:
- A clear, specific release was upheld. In McCune v. Myrtle Beach Indoor Shooting Range, Inc. (2005), a paintball player lost sight in one eye after her mask was pulled off by a branch. She had signed a release that covered known and unknown risks, including the range’s own negligence, and that expressly did not cover gross negligence or wanton misconduct. The court found it unambiguous, not overly broad and not against public policy.
- An overly broad release was thrown out. In Fisher v. Stevens (2003), a racetrack release covered injuries to “any person in any restricted area.” The court held it too broad to enforce and void as against public policy.
The practical lessons: name negligence explicitly, describe the activity and its risks, keep the scope tied to the event, and do not try to release gross negligence, wanton misconduct or intentional harm. Courts generally refuse to enforce releases for that kind of conduct.
Waivers for children are uncertain
Most bounce house guests are children, and this is the weakest point of any waiver. We did not find a South Carolina appellate decision that squarely decides whether a parent can release a child’s injury claims in advance, and many states refuse to enforce those releases. Treat a parent-signed waiver as uncertain protection, and ask a South Carolina attorney how it would apply to your event.
What a waiver does not replace
- Insurance. Schools, churches, parks and HOAs commonly ask the rental company for a certificate of insurance. Ask whether your venue needs one before you book.
- Supervision. An adult should watch the inflatable at all times and enforce the rules. For larger events you can add an on-site attendant from Bouncy Rentals USA to monitor the units, separate age groups and manage lines.
- The manufacturer’s rules. Anchor at every anchor point and stop use when wind exceeds the unit’s limit; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes manufacturers set those limits between 15 and 25 mph.
A practical waiver checklist for hosts
- Use a standalone document, not fine print inside another form.
- Give guests time to read it before the event, for example by sending it with the invitation or registration.
- Describe the activity and its specific risks: falls, collisions between participants, and injuries from misuse.
- State the rules guests agree to follow: supervision, one age group at a time, no shoes or sharp objects, and stopping play for weather.
- Say plainly that the participant releases claims for ordinary negligence, and leave gross negligence and intentional harm out of the release.
- Have each adult participant, or each child’s parent or guardian, sign and date it, and keep the signed copies.
- Have a South Carolina attorney review the final version.
How booking with Bouncy Rentals USA works
Bouncy Rentals USA is insured and can provide a certificate of insurance for qualifying schools, churches and venues. Every booking starts with a formal quote and rental agreement that confirms the rental period, delivery, setup, pickup and site requirements before you pay, and equipment is cleaned and sanitized between rentals. If your venue has its own waiver or insurance requirements, tell us when you request a quote and we will confirm what we can provide.
Sources
- SC Lawyers Weekly: Court upholds liability waiver in suit over paintball injury (McCune, 2005)
- Gallivan, White & Boyd: The Standard Liability Waiver (McCune and Fisher v. Stevens)
- Collins & Lacy: Enforceability of liability waivers signed by or on behalf of a minor (2022)
- U.S. CPSC: Amusement Ride Safety Bulletin, Inflatable Amusement Devices (2015)
Rewritten October 2026 to correct case details, remove statutes that apply to skating rinks and government entities, and remove claims we could not verify.