Liability Waiver
Secure your California doula practice with a liability waiver compliant with Cal. Civ. Code and AB5. Protect against medical advice and birth outcome claims.
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As a birth or postpartum doula in California, your role is strictly non-medical. However, the emotional and physical intensity of labor often leads to boundary confusion. Under California Civil Code... Read more
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Customize your Liability Waiver
12 fields · Takes about 2 minutes
Legal Document
This Liability Waiver and Release of Claims (this "Waiver") is made and entered into as of 2026-04-21 by and between [company_name] (the "Released Party"), including its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns, and [participant_name] (the "Participant"). In consideration of the Participant being permitted to participate in the activities described herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Participant agrees as follows:
The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that participation in the following activity or activities provided by [company_name]: [activity_description] (collectively, the "Activities"), involves inherent risks, dangers, and hazards that may result in serious personal injury, permanent disability, paralysis, death, or property damage or loss. Such risks include, but are not limited to: physical exertion and strain; contact with other participants, equipment, surfaces, or natural features; adverse weather conditions; equipment failure or malfunction; inadequate or negligent instruction or supervision; the negligence of other participants or third parties; and any other risks inherent in or arising from the Activities, whether or not specifically identified herein. THE PARTICIPANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES ALL RISKS OF INJURY, ILLNESS, DAMAGE, OR LOSS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE ACTIVITIES, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTY OR OTHERWISE, AND WHETHER SUCH RISKS ARE KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEABLE OR UNFORESEEABLE, AT THE TIME OF EXECUTION OF THIS WAIVER. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has had a full and adequate opportunity to review and consider the nature of the Activities and the risks described herein, and the Participant's assumption of risk is made knowingly, voluntarily, and without coercion or duress of any kind.
In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Activities, the Participant, on behalf of the Participant and the Participant's heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assignees, and next of kin, hereby FOREVER RELEASES, WAIVES, DISCHARGES, AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE [company_name], its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, volunteers, affiliates, subsidiaries, parent companies, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), and judgments of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, fixed or contingent, that the Participant now has, has ever had, or may hereafter have against the Released Parties, arising out of, connected with, or in any way related to the Participant's participation in the Activities, including but not limited to claims arising from the negligence (whether active or passive), gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the Released Parties, or from any defect or dangerous condition of the premises, facilities, or equipment used in connection with the Activities (collectively, the "Released Claims"). This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by applicable law.
The Participant agrees to INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS [company_name] and the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) brought by or on behalf of the Participant, the Participant's heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assignees, next of kin, or any third party, arising out of, connected with, or in any way related to the Participant's participation in the Activities, including but not limited to any claims arising from the Participant's own negligence, breach of this Waiver, or violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation. This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination or expiration of this Waiver.
The Participant hereby authorizes [company_name] and its employees, agents, and representatives to obtain or provide emergency medical treatment for the Participant in the event of an injury, illness, or medical emergency arising during or in connection with the Participant's participation in the Activities, including but not limited to first aid, CPR, transportation to a medical facility, and any other emergency medical care deemed necessary by medical professionals or by [company_name] personnel. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Participant shall be solely responsible for all costs, fees, and expenses associated with any such medical treatment, including emergency transportation, hospitalization, surgery, and any follow-up care. The Participant releases the Released Parties from any and all liability arising from the provision of, or failure to provide, emergency medical treatment.
The Participant hereby acknowledges and represents that: (a) the Participant has carefully read this Waiver in its entirety and fully understands its terms and conditions; (b) the Participant is aware that this Waiver constitutes a legally binding contract and a complete release of all liability owed to the Participant by the Released Parties; (c) the Participant has signed this Waiver freely, voluntarily, and without coercion, duress, or undue influence of any kind; (d) the Participant is at least eighteen (18) years of age and is legally competent to enter into this Waiver; (e) the Participant has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of the Participant's choosing before executing this Waiver and has either done so or has voluntarily elected not to do so; (f) no oral representations, statements, promises, or inducements apart from the terms set forth in this Waiver have been made to the Participant; and (g) the Participant intends this Waiver to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law.
This Waiver shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state in which [company_name] maintains its principal place of business, without regard to any conflict of laws principles that would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction. In the event that any dispute arises under or in connection with this Waiver, the Participant irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the jurisdiction of [company_name]'s principal place of business, and the Participant hereby waives any objection to such jurisdiction or venue, including any objection based on inconvenient forum. If any provision of this Waiver is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Waiver, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. This Waiver constitutes the entire agreement between [company_name] and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations, whether written or oral.
The Client acknowledges and agrees that the Doula is a non-medical support professional and is not a licensed physician, midwife, or nurse. Under California law, the Doula's services are limited to emotional, physical, and informational support. The Doula shall not perform any clinical or medical tasks, including but not limited to, heart rate monitoring, vaginal exams, or medical diagnosis. Client agrees to rely solely on medical professionals for medical advice and clinical decisions, and hereby releases the Doula from any liability arising from medical outcomes or choices made during the course of labor, delivery, or postpartum periods.
The Client expressly waives any rights and benefits conferred by any other statute or principle of common law of any jurisdiction of similar effect to California Civil Code Section 1542, which generally states that a general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release. Client acknowledges that the risks of childbirth are inherent and unpredictable, and voluntarily assumes all such risks associated with the Doula's non-medical presence during the birth process.
Pursuant to Cal. Lab. Code § 925 and Cal. Civ. Code § 1646, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this waiver or the Doula's services shall be resolved within the jurisdiction of the county in California where the services were primarily rendered, ensuring compliance with state-specific consumer and worker protections.
BY SIGNING BELOW, THE PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PARTICIPANT HAS READ THIS WAIVER, FULLY UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS, UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PARTICIPANT HAS GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGNS IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.
Participant
Name: Participant
Date: 2026-04-21
As a birth or postpartum doula in California, your role is strictly non-medical. However, the emotional and physical intensity of labor often leads to boundary confusion. Under California Civil Code § 1550 and Labor Code § 2750.3 (AB5), it is critical for independent doulas to have a document that clearly defines their non-clinical scope of practice and secures an enforceable release of liability for birth outcomes, ensuring that your support is not misinterpreted as medical advice or guarantee of medical results.
Beyond the standard liability waiver sections, this template adds fields specific to Doula:
The core legal purpose of a Liability Waiver is to reduce or eliminate the legal liability of an organization or entity by having the participant acknowledge and accept the risks involved in an activity, thereby waiving their right to sue for damages or injuries incurred as a result of their participation.
Birth Outcome Liability
Include disclaimers in contracts that clarify the doula's role as non-medical and state explicitly that birth outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Scope of Practice Violations
Draft clear scope of service documents that delineate non-medical support functions to avoid accusations of unauthorized medical practice.
While a waiver cannot excuse gross negligence, it serves as a critical defense by having the client acknowledge that a doula is a non-medical support person who does not guarantee specific birth outcomes. This clarifies the scope of practice to prevent claims of unauthorized medical practice.
AB5 uses the 'ABC test' to determine worker classification. Your waiver should clearly state your status as an independent contractor providing specialized non-medical services, helping to distinguish your role from that of hospital-employed clinical staff.
Yes. While doulas are often not 'covered entities' under federal HIPAA, California's CCPA and general privacy standards require you to obtain consent before handling sensitive health information and birth plans.
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For this liability waiver to be legally valid:
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