In the recent case of Reardon v. Windswept Farm, LLC (9/29/2006), the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut found that a release from liability for ordinary negligence arising out of the recreational activity of horseback riding violates public policy. This decision is contrary to a recent Hawaii Supreme Court decision. In holding that the Windswept Farm's release violated public policy, the Connecticut court reasoned that: (1) the Plaintiff was under the control of the Defendant; (2) there is a societal expectation that recreational activities performed under another party's control will be reasonably safe; (3) the Defendants had greater expertise and information concerning the dangers associated with horseback riding at their facility, and thus should bear the burden of removing or preventing such dangers; and (4) the release signed by the Plaintiff was a classic contract of adhesion. Hopefully, the decision makers of Hawaii will someday reverse their "anti-citizen"/"pro big business" course.
Being a passenger in a car driven by a bad driver can be fatal. Honolulu's 22nd fatal car accident of 2025 involved a passenger who was ejected after the driver of their car lost control and crashed into a fence first and then into a guardrail on Kam Highway in the Mililani area. The passenger was ejected and killed. See, Fatal Car Accident in Mililani, Hawaii on April 12, 2025
Awards and Honors
Martindale Hubbell - AV rated lawyer - Best Rating Possible
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
AVVO Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney, 10 of 10
ATLA Top 100
Lawyers.com - Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 - Top Rating Possible
National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 - 2017
Marquis' Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law
AVVO Clients' Choice Personal Injury Lawyer
Expertise - Best Car Accident Lawyers in Honolulu 2019
Best Attorneys in America - Life Charter Member
Click on a box below to choose one of our 4 menus:
There is NO CHARGE for sending your case information to our law firm.
The information provided on this website is preliminary
and informational ONLY. It is not legal advice. The use of our
webpages does not establish an attorney-client
relationship. This website is copyright
1999-2020 and the contents of this website are the property of
Personal Injury Attorney William H Lawson. The Terms and Conditions of Use for this website and
our Privacy Policy are available
here for your consideration. All rights reserved.