CompuServe Messages

Doug, Welcome to a huge debate, Doug. How to keep permission and access to caves in today's "I'll-sue-you-if-you-look-at-me-crosseyed" society. I can't say how many sites are shut down each year to cavers. I have just been informed that a landowner (with a cave) in my area is being sued because she was drunk and fell in the entrance of the cave. Seems she thinks these lazy, irresponsibile landowners with caves on their property shouldn't just leave them laying around for anyone to trip on or fall in. AARRGGHH. We'll loose this site for sure. Collecting an admission price in Florida, though, would make the owner legally responsible. Not collecting money is one way a landowner can further distance him/herself from a lawsuit. But why even get that close? Why not just let no-one have access to the caves? I understand their point, although I come out a loser in the scenario. Shannon