Despite Some Protections Volunteers Face Risk of Liability and Litigation

News: "Eight years ago, the late Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.) sponsored and successfully worked to enact the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - legislation that protects Volunteers from many frivolous lawsuits. However, as helpful and well-intentioned as this legislation was, more needs to be done to sufficiently protect all those lending a hand to those in need.

In response to Hurricane Katrina, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army have had difficulty coordinating efforts to set up emergency housing in private homes for evacuees, because of liability issues. - Quad City Times, September 20, 2005

A jury in Milwaukee found the Catholic Archdiocese liable because a volunteer for a Catholic lay organization, driving her own car, ran a red light and caused an accident while delivering a statue of the Virgin Mary to an invalid person. Although the church does not direct the activities of this group, the jury decided the Archdiocese should pay $17 million to the victim. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 23, 2005 "