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Risk Management: Liability Basics

As the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program has developed, several common themes have emerged with leaders at all levels. One theme is legal liability for volunteers. Although protection from legal liability is important, other aspects of volunteer management also are important. Risk management activities can help protect the MRC and its volunteers while providing a safe, supportive working environment as volunteers serve the program’s mission.

Two important aspects of risk management and liability issues to remember are that:

1. Within certain limits, anyone can file suit against anybody at any time. Laws can give you a defense, and insurance policies can help pay for legal defense and for loss or damages, but they do not replace a common-sense approach to protecting your volunteers and those they serve from harm.
    
2. Regardless if you think your organization and volunteers are sufficiently protected from legal liability for unintended harm, other assets are irreplaceable and cannot be protected. These assets include your organization’s reputation and partnerships. A comprehensive risk management program can help you protect them.

What is Risk Management?

Risk management is identifying the potential risks an organization is challenged with and seeking ways to remove or mitigate them.

Why is Risk Management Important?

All activities involve risk, and the activities undertaken by MRC volunteers involve some specific risks, such as the risk of unintended harm to an individual treated by an MRC volunteer. Although an MRC unit cannot remove all of its risks and accomplish its mission, it can reduce the risk involved while protecting the unit, its volunteers, and those they serve.

The basic purpose of any volunteer program’s risk management plan is to reduce:

1. The risk of harm (intended or unintended) to the volunteers and the individuals they serve.
2. The risk of financial loss to the volunteers and the agency they volunteer for.
3. The potential for damage to the agency’s intangible assets such as its reputation, its partnerships, and its ability to recruit volunteers and raise funds.

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Last Updated on 8/24/2006