Dear Ecolog Subscribers, I was wondering if anybody had any experience with Personal Liability Insurance for class field trips and related activities. I am teaching an extended field course away from campus, and it is my understanding that as such I would be covered under the Universities’ general liability insurance policy. However if a student was injured in an activity that was not directly associated with the actual curriculum, I could be held responsible. I have also been advised that should an accident/incident occur, I could still be held legally accountable in a civil court and would not be covered.
Now we know that professors can’t realistically monitor college students 24 hours a day for weeks at a time, so the potential for accidents exist. I have been advised to look into Professional Liability Insurance and was wondering if anybody on this list has advice. It is my understanding that some professional societies offer this type of insurance, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks Chris Christopher T. Ruhland, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biology TS 242 Trafton Sciences Center South Minnesota State University Mankato, MN 56001
