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Memo for Motion Against Summary Judgment Essay

Decent Essays

I. Introduction and Standard for Opposition to Summary Judgment

Crowell Academy, Inc. and Arturo Gomez, (hereinafter, collectively "Crowell") were grossly negligent and used willful misconduct in their responsibilities involving the fencing club. The bargaining power of Crowell was so grossly unequal so as to put Lajuana Barnett at the mercy of Crowell's negligence. Lastly, the exculpatory clause contained in the release form (see release form) is void as against public policy. Consequently, under Maryland law, it is up to the trier of fact to determine if the exculpatory clause is unenforceable. As such, there is a dispute as to the genuine issue of material fact related to Crowell's Answer, Crowell can be liable to Lajauna Barnett …show more content…

The defendant did not ask whether the plaintiff was left or right handed, and the plaintiff, not knowing otherwise, put on her equipment the same way as she saw the other members of the club putting on their gear. A waiver of a right to sue is ineffective to shift the risk of a party's own willful, reckless, or gross conduct. Id. at 543 (citing Winterstein v. Wilcom, 16 Md.App. 130, 134-36, cert. denied, 266 Md.744 (1972)).
In the present case, the defendant was "certified by the U.S. Fencing Association to provide instruction in fencing" and was to "instruct fencing club members in the proper methods of fencing." These are direct quotes taken from the release form signed by the plaintiff. In signing the exculpatory clause, plaintiff was to release defendant from "any and all claims" arising out of student's participation in fencing club activities. In return, plaintiff was to receive instruction in the proper methods of fencing. This includes proper instruction in putting on the safety equipment, arguably the most important aspect of the sport of fencing. The wording any and all claims can be construed as ambiguous. It would be against public policy to hold valid a claim that released the defendant from any and all claims arising out of fencing club activities, including claims arising from the defendant's negligence. The plaintiff signed the exculpatory clause releasing the defendant from

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