> Releases like that are pretty common in the TV world, eg stunt performers waive their claims against the production company.
Do they have to jump through hoops though?
I imagine a court could overturn a contract if a good case was presented that the person signing didn't realize the implications, etc., and that would be especially likely for a contract signed in the sort of quick/casual atmosphere that likely accompanies a bunch of people going off to a party...
Well, they typically have to pay $$ to the person signing the contract, and the contracts are voluminous. When people are paying you to be entertained then it'd be a lot harder to make such a contract stick IMHO. I've never looked into the waivers on things like roller coasters, but you may recall that there have been several semi-disasters involving cruise ships in the last year or two and the victims generally have little in the way of legal recourse because the risky activity (riding on a ship, which might sink) takes place outside regular jurisdictions. Contracts for illegal activity (eg unpermitted entertainment such as the subject of this conversation) are much harder to enforce.
You're better off relying on good will and common sense to make an unpermitted event as safe as possible than pining for some sort of procedural shield. Of course, you can get away with substantially more if you're not engaged in a commercial transaction to start with.
Do they have to jump through hoops though?
I imagine a court could overturn a contract if a good case was presented that the person signing didn't realize the implications, etc., and that would be especially likely for a contract signed in the sort of quick/casual atmosphere that likely accompanies a bunch of people going off to a party...