2011General Discussion forum
Importance of liability insurance for camera operators and jib/crane users
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Operators working with camera rigs and stabilization equipment near people should carry liability insurance to protect against potential lawsuits, even when accidents occur through no direct fault of their own
- General liability insurance in the United States costs approximately $400-$425 per year and is one of the least expensive insurance coverages available
- Personal injury lawyers may sue everyone associated with an incident regardless of direct fault, making liability coverage essential protection
- Production insurance and clear written contracts are critical requirements for professional work, particularly for operators renting equipment or working without formal production backing
- Operators working on informal shoots where production insurance is absent may face personal liability if someone is injured by their equipment
- Many private owners of cranes and jibs may not carry adequate insurance despite owning expensive equipment
- Liability insurance should be maintained even when operators have not personally experienced lawsuits, as incidents can happen unexpectedly
Depends on
- Discussion includes a jib collapse incident from an external news source without confirmed technical details about the failure
- Disagreement exists about whether Steadicam-specific injury lawsuits are likely or have occurred
- No statistical data provided on actual claims or injury frequency
- Discussion reflects primarily United States practices and costs; international requirements and costs differ
- Anecdotes provided are illustrative rather than comprehensive risk assessments