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Des Moines seeks to avoid sledding crash lawsuits

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September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines City Council will consider posting signs in parks and public golf courses that warn people of potential hazards. The Des Moines Register reports the signs would be intended to protect the city against potential lawsuits from people who could be injured while sledding, ice skating or cross-country skiing on public land. Other cities, including Sioux City and Omaha, have faced multi-million-dollar lawsuits after people suffered severe injuries in sledding accidents.

The Des Moines council will consider an ordinance Monday night that doesn’t ban such winter activities but calls for signs that state the city doesn’t take responsibility for accidents. Such a policy would be similar to action taken in Omaha.