New trail managers are often concerned that managing a trail will expose them to liability for trail-user injuries, or worry about the high cost of purchasing insurance to protect from potential lawsuits. However, trail managers have a number of legal protections that limit their exposure to liability. As a result of these legal tools, when coupled with sound risk management practices, liability concerns should not normally be an impediment to the development or management of a trail.
This fact sheet was prepared by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in May 2007 with funding in part from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Growing Greener Fund.
