If you area ssigned your jr Hi games under your association, you are "certified" for those games, and whatever insurance your association carries, covers you.

Jeff -- Around here, both refs are liable for everything. Insurance covers the liability if both refs are working within the restrictions set by the insurance company. If not, neither ref is covered. So if I worked with this guy, and something happened, and we were sued, we'd both be liable, not just him.

In Iowa, high school students can be licensed to work junior high games.

In Texas, you have to be a memeber of TASO in order to call a game. Each Chapter's Assisgnor assigns the game. There is no way an AD could give a game to anybody off the street. That said, I have seen intermeral and rec league officials dressed like that but never an official in any interschool contest dressed this way.

pretty much when these kids sign up for rec ball their parents sign a waiver. does that not carry any weight? maybe this is something i should be but so far i have not really been concerned about being sued. should i change my thoughts on this?

rec, ms, hs, aau, aybt, mayb, .....

Un Certified Officials!
 

How will you know if a official is certified or not? Do you ask he/she to show you some proof during your pre-game conference?

Waivers generally mean nothing if a good lawyer is involved . . .

Now, I agree with JRut on this one - it shouldn't matter who your partner is, your insurance should cover you. However, whether successful or not, an injured player's lawyer is going to sue everyone involved in the game, and let the chips fall where they may. As such, he may try to show that the 'licensed' official is liable for working with an unlicensed official.

I work with many different partners, especially when officiating younger-aged games. I cannot verify that all these “partners” are NFHS (state)-certified. I do not believe that it should be my responsibility. The schools, who are members of the state association (WIAA) are directed to only hire certified officials and must have two officials in order for the game to be played.

Yes, we do live in a very litigious society; however, I sincerely doubt a rationale-thinking group of people (Jury) or judge could find any certified official culpable of negligence for working with a “non-certified” partner, especially given the abovementioned state policies.

Of course, I am aware of some nearly unbelieveable court settlements. Anyone for some HOT coffee? :rolleyes:

1) If they have a state patch on their shirt or not.
2) When you get you schedule and you see who you partener is, you can look on this piece of paper and it will tell you if this official is certified or not.

Not completely accurate, in that most officials in my area don't wear the state patch. I can assume everyone I work with is certified, since the state has ruled that any school who uses an uncertified official forfeits the contest. IOW, it's the schools responsibility; and if someone wants to sue me for an injury in one of my games, working with a certified partner won't bail me out.

Maybe you'll still be held liable (probably your partner and you together) but if you've conformed to the requirements of your insurance carrier, they will cover your loss. THAT's what we're talking about here.

I don't know how we got off the "bling" subject, but my two cents is that I wear no jewelry, including my wedding band. If we ask the players to forego it, I will too. That's just a left-over from a league that I was lucky enough to work a few years ago that stressed no jewelry for anybody.

Does a watch count? I wear my watch, but that's it. As far as accessories go, that is.

Why would you wear a watch on the court? Worried about how long the game is taking? :confused: A watch is a major no-no.

I wear my wedding ring, but only because it is a major pain to take off. I haven't heard any problems with it, but it's also relatively subdued.
A watch is just a target for a coach. No need for it, the only clock that matters on the court moves backwards and doesn't sync with your watch. Leave it in the locker room.

Chuck is right. You should not ever wear a watch. The only sport you should wear a watch when working football. A watch in a football game is a tool to help you officiate the game. It has no purpose in a basketball game.

Peace