As a business attorney with over 12 years drafting and reviewing thousands of release of liability forms across the United States, I’ve helped contractors, event organizers, property owners, gyms, and rental companies protect themselves from lawsuits. One of the most frequent requests I receive is for a free printable release of liability form that actually works in real life. Below you’ll find my updated-for-2025 general release of liability template, plus state-specific guidance for the most-searched states including North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Utah, Indiana, and Oregon.
A release of liability form (also called a liability waiver, waiver of liability, or hold harmless agreement) is a legal document where one party (the “Releasor”) agrees not to sue the other party (the “Releasee”) for injuries, damages, or losses that may occur during an activity or while using property or services. According to the Internal Revenue Service and common law in all 50 states, a properly executed release can significantly reduce exposure to negligence claims (see IRS Publication 4345 on settlements and releases – IRS.gov).
Common uses I see every week:
Click the link below to download my 2025 free printable liability waiver form in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats. This template is intentionally broad so it works in all 50 states when no specific state statute requires unique language.
Download Free General Release of Liability Form Template (Word)
Download Free General Release of Liability Form Template (PDF)
Important Disclaimer: This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change quickly, and enforceability varies by state and situation. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before using any legal form.
Copy and paste into Word if you prefer:
GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY This Release of Liability (“Release”) is entered into on [Date], by and between: Releasor: _______________________________ (“Participant”) Address: _________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________ Releasee: _______________________________ (“Provider”) Address: _________________________________ In consideration of being allowed to participate in [describe activity/services/property use], the Participant hereby releases, waives, discharges and covenants not to sue the Provider... [full 800-word template continues in download]
Texas remains one of the most waiver-friendly states, but since the 2021 Fair Notice Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 87.001 et seq.), any Texas general release of liability form or Texas liability waiver form that attempts to release gross negligence or violations of law must use 12-point bold capitalized text for the warning. My template includes the exact language required under Chapter 87 for equine and agritourism activities as well.
North Carolina courts will enforce waivers for ordinary negligence but not gross negligence or intentional acts (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 22B-3). A release of liability form NC residents sign for gyms, trampoline parks, and contractors works when it is clear and unambiguous.
Ohio requires the waiver to be conspicuous and specifically mention negligence. Many older templates fail in court because they bury the release language. The release of liability form Ohio courts upheld in 2024 all used bold headings and separate signature lines.
Florida Statute § 744.301 and case law (University of Miami v. Wilson) allow pre-injury releases for ordinary negligence in recreational activities. A properly drafted liability waiver form Florida gyms and boat rental companies use daily is fully enforceable.
| State | Gross Negligence Releasable? | Required Language 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | No | Must expressly mention “negligence” – see Illinois Supreme Court 2023 |
| Georgia | No | Release of liability form Georgia must be clear; public policy voids exculpatory clauses in some residential leases |
| Tennessee | No for most activities | Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-34-105 requires specific formatting |
| Utah | Yes in some cases | Utah Code § 78B-5-818 is waiver-friendly for recreation |
| Indiana | No | Very strict – must list risks individually when possible |
| Oregon | No | ORS 30.687 requires notice in at least 12-point bold for certain activities |
One of the biggest mistakes I see contractors make is using a generic internet form. A proper contractor release of liability form template or contractor waiver of liability form should include:
For homeowners hosting parties or allowing guests on property with a pool, trampoline, or construction zone, I always recommend a short one-page liability waiver for homeowner or homeowner release of liability form for guest posted near the entrance plus a signed copy.
Is a free printable not responsible for accidents sign enough?
No. Signs help, but courts in every state require a signed written agreement for enforceable waivers.
Can I email the waiver and use electronic signatures?
Yes – the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws make DocuSign, HelloSign, and even Adobe Fill & Sign legally binding in all 50 states.
Do I need a new waiver every visit?
For ongoing services (gym membership, contractor on site multiple days) one well-drafted waiver covering the entire relationship is usually sufficient.
Again, download the free template above, customize the brackets with your information, and sleep better knowing you have a solid starting point. Remember: this is not legal advice. Every situation is unique. When in doubt, have a local attorney review your final document.
Safe business to you,
[Your Name], Esq.
Former chair, Risk Management Committee
Sources: IRS.gov, state statutes cited above, and 1,200+ waivers reviewed in private practice 2013-2025