Can't offer much that would be useful to your situation, but our Canadian perspective is:
  1. We're in Alberta, Canada. Individuals have to pay for their own ambulance trips if they call one (although many people have non-profit insurance coverage for that), but our healthcare system covers the rest.
  2. We have $5 million general liability. That covers us against lawsuits where our organization is likely at fault. It's about $1000/yr to cover the majority of our activities, including our workshop.
  3. We also pay into voluntary workers' compensation for our shop volunteers. The cost varies with the number of volunteer hours, but is around $600. It provides loss-of-pay compensation to our volunteers should they be injured while volunteering at our shop.


Chris Chan
President
Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society
http://edmontonbikes.ca/

On Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 3:23 PM, Kevin Dwyer <kevidwyer@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi-

From both an ethical and legal perspective, you may be liable for such injuries. Additionally, there may be a statutory requirement with your state requiring that organizations such as yours render emergency assistance. You may also have insurance (umbrella, general liability, or premises liability) which may cover it.  If you don't have this coverage, you should, as it is a cost of doing business and a way to manage these unpredictable expenses.

Regardless, an organization that does not see to prompt medical attention for a non-tresspasser injured on their premises is asking for trouble.  Always encourage people to adopt a conservative attitude toward risk in these situations, by accommodating and encouraging all reasonable emergency care. With respect to emergency care, figure out how to pay for it later.

I am an attorney, but not your attorney.  This email does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.  If you need legal advice consult your state bar.   


Kevin Dwyer
Chairman-Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective Board of Directors



On Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 2:57 PM, tito @ sopo bike co-op <tito@sopobikes.org> wrote:
we recently faced the issue of one of our core volunteers getting injured in the shop. when the time came to decide about a trip to the hospital it became apparent that the person did not have insurance and could not afford the trip. have other shops faced this situation? do you (the shop) pay for or help pay for medical expenses. the trip would have run anywhere form $300 to $1000. is there a limit that folks have decided on? is it a process of reimbursement? do any shops have insurance that cover such things?  any input would be much appreciated.


tito @
SOPO Bikes
1270 Caroline St NE
Ste D120-392
Atlanta, GA 30307

cell. 678.907.3892
work. 404.635.6367

www.sopobikes.org

Our mission is to create equitable access to cycling by providing affordable bicycle maintenance, services and education.



On Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 4:41 PM, <thethinktank-request@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
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Today's Topics:

  1. Re: bike valet question (Angel York)
  2. bike valet question (CAT Director)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:38:01 -0800
From: Angel York <aniola@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] bike valet question
Message-ID:
       <AANLkTikz7u8NZVC1+-=WDdCvOSQ00FR5GYd2cs7Vx075@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

By SC, do you mean Santa Cruz?  Are you the fellow I used to cover for so
you could go get vegetables sometimes?  I'm glad they're paying you now!

Here in Davis, bike valet parking happens, but rarely.  The campus has some
lightweight racks and the city has some heavy-duty racks, and they lend 'em
out.  Both the Davis Bike Collective and Davis Bicycles! have borrowed them,
but it's kind of an ordeal so they only come out for big occasions.

I think of Bike Valet Parking as a way to get folks aware of various bike
organizations.

Angel York
I hail from the Davis (California) Bike Collective

On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 12:21 PM, kyle mckinley <bicirider@gmail.com> wrote:

> hi, all,
> It's been a while since I posted to this list (though I lurk now and then),
> and I missed seeing everyone at the last bike!bike!, but I have a quick
> favor to ask:
>
> I'm helping write an article about bike valet services (bike parking at
> events that draw too many bikes to simply lock up) and it occurred to me
> that there are probably lots of folks/ projects doing this as a form of
> outreach that I don't know about.
>
> Here in SC it is most reliable at the farmer's market (where I currently
> get paid to do it -- oogle bikes, chat w/ cyclists, eat veges; pretty rad).
> I know that the San Francisco Bike Coalition does a lot of this on an
> event-to-event basis.
>
> Other places that you know about? Particularly successful instances? Anyone
> combining parking with wrenching?
>
> Reply on or off list.
>
> warmly,
> kyle
>
> --
> If an Easyrider rides easy, then a bicirider rides bici
>
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:50:17 -0500
From: CAT Director <director@car-free.org>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Subject: [TheThinkTank] bike valet question
Message-ID:
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

http://www.massbike.org/services/bicycle-valet-service/
--
Steve Schmitt
CAR-FREE CAT Director
Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
Voice Mail 610.707.2483
director@car-free.org
14 West Raspberry Street
Bethlehem, PA  18018
Office phone: 610 954 5744
CAR-FREE.ORG <http://www.car-free.org>
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End of Thethinktank Digest, Vol 54, Issue 18
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Kevin Dwyer
ThinkLaw
Utah State Bar #11235
Washington State Bar #37740


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