Signing a release of claims as volunteer will stop suit for injury.

The court held that the trial court properly granted the defendant-Northwoods Animal Shelter summary disposition in the plaintiff's slip and fall personal injury case, holding that the "Volunteer Hold Harmless Agreement" was a valid release of liability. The case arose out of a slip and fall that occurred at defendant's animal shelter. Plaintiff was a volunteer worker at the shelter and, prior to her injury, she was required to sign the agreement indicating that she would not be able to bring any legal action for any personal injuries suffered at the shelter. Consideration consisted of plaintiff being given the opportunity to work with the animals at the shelter, in turn, she agreed to hold defendant harmless for any personal injury she sustained while volunteering. Requiring volunteers to sign a hold harmless release does not violate public policy. "It is not contrary to public policy for a party to contract against liability for damages caused by its own ordinary negligence." Plaintiff voluntarily chose to volunteer at the animal shelter. She was not required to do so. The Volunteer Hold Harmless Agreement did not violate public policy. Affirmed.