Jump to Section
Need help with a Disclaimer?
Disclaimers are a great way to mitigate risk. When you operate as a business, you assume a lot of legal responsibility, whether online or not. Shift some of the liability back to your customers, especially for situations beyond your control.
In this article, we’ve shared what business owners should know about disclaimers in general:
What is a Disclaimer?
Disclaimers are legal texts that offer businesses protection from legal liability. They shield a company from legal claims associated with user and third-party risk. In general, customers must agree to all terms and conditions before using a product or service.
Here is an article which also defines disclaimers.
What is a Disclaimer Used For?
A disclaimer is used to protect your company from claims. You can utilize a disclaimer to limit the scope of your rights and responsibilities. Both parties can exercise and enforce these terms in a contractual relationship.
A disclaimer is also vital to protect you from third-party claims. They’ll let your users know that you’re not responsible for any damages related to the use of your website, services, products, and those with whom you affiliate.
What a Disclaimer Doesn’t Cover
If a consumer files a legal claim against your company, your disclaimers will provide you with the legal lifeline you need. However, disclaimers don’t shield you from acts of gross negligence.
For example, if you’re a SaaS provider, you must ensure that you’re working in good faith to guarantee system uptime. This guarantee means that you’re upgrading equipment, conducting routine maintenance, and more. Customers can hold you liable for their associated losses when the system goes down too frequently due to carelessness.
117 projects on CC
Types of Disclaimers
Contract law offers flexibility when it comes to using disclaimers. As such, there are several types of disclaimers that a business might want to know about and use.
Below, we’ve described ten different types of disclaimers:
Type 1. Third-Party Disclaimers
Most websites include links to other websites or services. It’s a way for the website to earn credibility, increase traffic, or build a brand.
These “third-party services” usually sponsor affiliate links strategically to generate revenue. This disclaimer informs users that your site contains third-party links, and users click them at their own risk.
Type 2. Warranty Disclaimers
Websites most often use warranty disclaimers. These disclaimers state what the website does and does not promise to users. They also acknowledge that you aren’t responsible for claims arising from service unavailability.
Type 3. Limitation of Liability Disclaimers
A limitation of liability specifies the extent of your responsibilities and obligations. This disclaimer is essential for safeguarding your website if a user encounters issues while using your site. Limitation of liability disclaimers make it clear that subsequent damages are not your fault.
Type 4. Industry-Specific Disclaimers
Industry-specific disclaimers do not apply to all websites. Think about including industry-specific disclaimers if you have a website or blog that offers tips, advice, or sells products in:
- Finance
- Law
- Medical
Governing bodies and associations generally determine which disclaimers are necessary. Check with their offices if you have questions about your requirements.
Type 5. Shipping Disclaimers
Shipping disclaimers are for eCommerce websites that ship their products to customers. A shipping disclaimer limits your liability when something goes wrong, such as damage and delays, beyond your control.
Type 6. Product Return Disclaimers
Product return disclaimers, like shipping disclaimers, outline restrictions that apply to customer returns and exchanges. For eCommerce stores, it’s a must-have.
They’re usually found in a Return Policy. Some stores have many restrictions, while others have few. Others, such as final sale items, allow returns, and others don’t.
Type 7. Expressed Opinions Disclaimer
Expressed opinions disclaimers inform users that the author’s views and opinions are solely their own. They generally release a publisher from claims. Otherwise, readers might reasonably assume the opposite.
Type 8. Past Performance Disclaimer
Past performance disclaimers protect a company from former outcomes. For example, diet supplements may describe an average weight loss for a control group but don’t guarantee the same results for every customer. While the product or service works as intended, a company cannot become liable for every failure.
Type 9. Professional Advice Disclaimers
Advice from authors, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and business owners use disclaimers to protect themselves from specific legal actions. Professional advice disclaimers are helpful if users misinterpret published materials as guidance for their unique situation.
Many businesses purchase general or professional liability insurance to protect them after being hired. Your insurance company may require your customers to sign a release of liability with a release clause for enforceability purposes.
Type 10. Errors & Omissions (E&O) Disclaimers
Another major issue that many unwitting website owners face is accuracy. It’s common to publish factual errors and misleading content, but it exposes you to liability even when it’s unintentional. Use an errors & omissions disclaimer to protect you from these types of claims.
Image via Pexels by Karolina
What’s Typically Included in Disclaimer Language?
Disclaimer language typically includes terms and conditions that limit company liability. However, it’s hard to imagine what that looks like if it’s your first time drafting one.
Every disclaimer is unique, which means that the language in each one is different. As such, the best approach understands what type of disclaimer you need and shaping it based on the principles below:
Relevant Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer language typically includes information that is suitable for the specific situation. It should also be relevant to the end-user or customer.
Clear Legal Language
It’s wise to make your disclaimer clauses unambiguous. There’s an ongoing misnomer that complicated agreements are better. This assertion isn’t true.
Transparent terms and conditions help users quickly find information that they need. This simple feature alone can avoid many future problems.
Application Matters
It would help if you also prioritized a full review of your disclaimers before publishing. Analyze the text to ensure that words cannot be misapplied or misunderstood.
People often misinterpret information, which isn’t your fault, but you can lessen the chance of dealing with a complaint in the first place.
Fact-Based Wording
Ensure that your disclaimers are factual. You also can’t apply disclaimers to non-legitimate business purposes and still expect them to achieve enforceability. Write your disclaimers so that they are accurate, honest, and fact-based.
Disclaimer Examples
Knowing which type of disclaimer to use is one of the most challenging aspects of using one. How would you know if you have the right kind? We recommend, at a minimum, reviewing real-life disclaimer examples to help you solidify your understanding, especially for more complicated situations.
Here’s an example of how a lawyer would apply a disclaimer to their website:
- Marc is a lawyer in New Mexico
- He is building a website for his law firm
- Marc plans to share legal information that attracts website visitors
- He’s concerned about visitors interpreting his website as legal advice
- Marc limits his liability by placing a disclaimer in the footer of his website
- He decides to use an industry-specific disclaimer for lawyers
- The legal industry uses professional advice disclaimers in general
- Visitors understand that they may not sue Marc for his website content when he applies a professional advice disclaimer to his website
Take the guesswork out of creating a disclaimer. Hire business lawyers or contract lawyers to help you draft your to help you prepare a myriad of liability waivers .
They’ll not only help you work through crucial legal issues, but they’ll also help you handle the process entirely. From offering thoughts on a consent form to the contract signing, speak with a legal professional for the best result.
Get Help with a Disclaimer
Do you need help creating or implementing a disclaimer?
Post a project in ContractsCounsel’s marketplace to get bids from lawyers for the work. All lawyers are vetted by our team and peer reviewed by customers for you to explore before hiring.
Meet some of our Disclaimer Lawyers
Octavia P.
I am a business law attorney with over 10 years’ experience and a strong background in information technology. I am a graduate of the University of California Berkeley, a member of the Illinois bar and a licensed lawyer (Solicitor) of England and Wales. I actively partner directly with my clients or indirectly, as Of Counsel, to boutique law firms to streamline business practices and manage legal risks by focusing on essentials such as - business contracts, corporate structure, employment/independent contractor agreements, website terms and policies, IP, technology, and commercial related agreements as well as business risk and compliance guidance.
November 23, 2020
Elizabeth C.
As an experienced contracts professional, I offer an affordable method to have your contracts reviewed! With my review of your contract, you can understand and reduce risks, negotiate better terms, and be your own advocate. I am an Attorney, Board Member, and Freelance Writer with a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Film, Television and Theatre (“FTT”) from The University of Notre Dame. I was awarded The Catherine Hicks Award for outstanding work in FTT as voted on by the faculty. I graduated, cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where I earned several awards for academics and for my work in the Mock Trial and Moot Court Honor Societies. Additionally, in my career, I have had much success as an in-house Corporate Attorney with a broad range of generalist experience and experience in handling a wide variety of legal matters of moderate to high exposure and complexity. My main focus in my legal career has been contract drafting, review, and negotiation. I also have a background in real estate, hospitality, sales, and sports and entertainment, among other things.
January 20, 2021
Elizabeth R.
Elizabeth is an experienced attorney with a demonstrated history of handling transactional legal matters for a wide range of small businesses and entrepreneurs, with a distinct understanding of dental and medical practices. Elizabeth also earned a BBA in Accounting, giving her unique perspective about the financial considerations her clients encounter regularly while navigating the legal and business environments. Elizabeth is highly responsive, personable and has great attention to detail. She is also fluent in Spanish.
December 7, 2020
Abby V.
Abby is an attorney and public policy specialist who has fused together her experience as an advocate, education in economics and public health, and passion for working with animals to create healthier communities for people and animals alike. At Opening Doors PLLC, she helps housing providers ensure the integrity of animal accommodation requests, comply with fair housing requirements, and implement safer pet policies. Abby also assists residents with their pet-related housing problems and works with community stakeholders to increase housing stability in underserved communities. She is a nationally-recognized expert in animal accommodation laws and her work has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, Bloomberg, and Cosmopolitan magazine.
December 29, 2020
Brit B.
First in-house counsel for small TX-based company operating in the Middle East. Experienced with drafting, revising, and editing a variety of domestic and international contracts.
January 4, 2021
Matan S.
Matan is an experienced M&A, corporate, tax and real estate attorney advising closely held businesses, technology start ups, service businesses, and manufacturers in purchases, sales, and other exit strategies. Matan works with founders and first-and-second generation owners to strategically transition businesses.
January 26, 2021
Sean D.
Accomplished and results-driven business attorney with extensive experience in commercial real estate / project finance, commercial transactions, and entity formations, that possesses a winning blend of subject matter expertise, skill in client relationship management, and practical experience. Leverages a unique mix of legal, strategic, and analytical expertise that consistently meets and surpasses client expectations. Specialties: Commercial Real Estate Law, Contract Negotiation, Entity Formation, Joint Ventures, Procurement, Lease/Buy/Sell Transactions, Business Consultations, Team Leadership, and Economic Development
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowBusiness lawyers by top cities
See All Business LaywersDisclaimer lawyers by city
See All Disclaimer Laywersrelated contracts
other helpful articles
"ContractsCounsel puts on-demand legal services in the cloud. Not only is their service more convenient and time-efficient than visiting brick and mortar offices, but it’s more affordable too—and I’ve been universally impressed by the quality of talent provided. If you’re looking for a modern way for your small business to meet legal needs, I can’t recommend them enough!"
"This was an easy way to find an attorney to help me with a contract quickly. It was easy to work with Contracts Counsel to submit a bid and compare the lawyers on their experience and cost. I ended up finding someone who was a great fit for what I needed."
"ContractsCounsel suited my needs perfectly, and I really appreciate the work to get me a price that worked with my budget and the scope of work."
"I would recommend Contracts Counsel if you require legal work."
"ContractsCounsel helped me find a sensational lawyer who curated a contract fitting my needs quickly and efficiently. I really appreciated the ease of the system and the immediate responses from multiple lawyers!"
-p-60.f6a3b047f4d6.jpeg){kind=avatar}
"ContractsCounsel came through in a big way for my start up. Their platform put me in touch with the right lawyers for my industry and the team was as responsive as humanly possible during the whole process. I'll be back for more contract work in the future, as the lawyers they've vetted for these services are top tier."
-p-60.4f0f42e7f6e3.jpg){kind=avatar}