Wondering why you need a no responsibility disclaimer for your business, and how to create one? Then you’re on the right page.
But before we go any further, I have a disclaimer to make.
“I am not a lawyer but I work with legal practitioners to ensure I provide the best value to readers. And this article is only for informational and educational purposes. The disclaimer examples from third-party sites are also for educational purposes. I am not liable for any damages resulting from the use of the information”.
See what I did there?
You just read a simple no responsibility disclaimer that helps take the blame off us if you misuse the information in the article.
Contrarily, the disclaimer makes you trust us more. You trust me for being straightforward and honest (that I am not a lawyer).
This is just one of the many benefits of having a no responsibility disclaimer.
Whether you run a blog, an eCommerce store, consulting firm, an online course, or any other small business, you need a disclaimer.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to write one. Let’s dive right in.
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What Is a No Responsibility Disclaimer and How Does It Help Businesses?
A no responsibility disclaimer is a clause that states that a company isn’t responsible for any damages caused from using its products, services, or any information provided on its website or mobile app.
It comes in handy in protecting your business against any legal action that might be brought against you. While a no responsibility disclaimer isn’t a foolproof way to stay out of court, it helps prevent minor and harmful claims.
Having a disclaimer offers two main benefits to your business.
First of all, it limits liabilities from using your products or information on your site.
Therefore, if you sell physical products in your store, a disclaimer tells customers that they are responsible for how they use those products. So, customers cannot hold you accountable for damages or injuries caused by using the products.
Not only that, a no responsibility disclaimer helps prevent avoidable lawsuits.
Let’s say someone followed an exercise routine they saw on your fitness blog but, in the course, suffered injuries. The person will most likely not want to sue because their claim won’t hold water.
It’s important to note that no responsibility disclaimer does not apply to just fitness trainers but to all small businesses. In later sections of the article, you’ll find examples of no responsibility disclaimers for blogs, coaches, e-commerce stores, and local small businesses.
Must-Have Elements In a No Responsibility Disclaimer
While there is no one-size-fits-all for no responsibility disclaimer, here are four essential elements to include:
Content and information
New information and knowledge keep popping up every day. This is why it is best to regularly update the content of your website to ensure it keeps up with current trends and information.
But despite your best efforts, you can’t always guarantee that all your content is recent and free from typographical errors. Your no responsibility disclaimer should warn your readers not to rely completely on your content.
Also, it should state that you will not be held liable should they decide to act upon the information provided and suffer damages. Having this element is very important, especially if you’re in a constantly evolving industry, such as finance, law, or medicine.
Third-party links
Most websites contain links to external websites to add more authority to their site and provide their readers with more information. Bloggers usually also share affiliate links to third-party websites.
Since it is impossible to control what other parties share on their platform, it’s important to have a disclaimer for third-party links.
This disclaimer should specifically mention that you will not be held liable for the content and hyperlinks contained on those third-party resources.
Technical issues
Technical issues happen and often at the worst times. Your website can be exposed to malware or spam, causing it to malfunction. For this period, users might not be able to use your site or mobile app.
For that reason, many websites disclaim liability for any damages that occur from not being able to use their website or mobile app or access the materials that are on it.
Another common technical issue is errors in coding or malfunctions during routine maintenance. When this occurs, it may take your site offline or make it inaccessible to some customers.
This makes it important for your disclaimer to cover problems customers can be exposed to due to any technical fault.
You can include a statement in your disclaimer to limit your legal liability regarding viruses or malware that could infect a user’s computer after visiting your website.
Feedback and comments
This part of a disclaimer relieves you and your brand from possible violations due to what other users post on your platform.
You should think of your platform as a marketplace for people and ideas. People share reviews and testimonials or casually comment on your posts. These comments and feedback may breach specific regulations, or other users may simply find it offensive.
Hence, it becomes necessary to protect yourself and your brand from such information just as you do for the information you provide.
No Responsibility Disclaimer Examples
Your no responsibility disclaimer should be as detailed as possible.
The details will depend on the nature of your activities, your type of audience, the risks associated with your business, and the type of content you share.
As promised, here are a few real-life examples of no responsibility disclaimers:
Medical disclaimer
This is for health, fitness, and medical blogs. It is usually a clear statement that tells readers that the information provided should not be substituted for expert medical advice.
Health and fitness blog, Max Health Living, shares a medical disclaimer that states its content is for informational purposes only and isn’t intended to replace professional medical advice.
In a nutshell, adding disclaimers to your website strengthens your credibility and makes your clients trust you more.
Local small businesses disclaimer
For brands in this category, their disclaimer is usually straightforward. A good example is Edge Prime Energy. Their disclaimer of liability covers things like contact information, technical issues, and third-party links.
Investment disclaimer
This is for finance, real estate, or retirement niche blogs and startups. It lets your readers know that while you provide financial advice based on personal insights and experience, you are not responsible when readers act on it.
MyWallSt, a financial and investment platform, advises readers to use its information as a starting point and do more research into companies and investing techniques.
Coaches and consultants’ disclaimer
Online coaches and consultants usually emphasize that clients are voluntary participants in their programs. The disclaimer covers legal, financial, medical, and religious purposes.
It also includes a performance disclaimer that tells prospective clients that past results do not guarantee future results. Even the best surgeon cannot guarantee success for all surgeries despite a track record of successful operations.
In other words, you can’t always guarantee new clients the same success you had with previous clients. So, ensure your disclaimer covers all bases.
Coach With Clarity is a typical example of a consultant disclaimer covering all the right bases.
eCommerce store disclaimer
eCommerce stores usually have their disclaimer of liability as one of the clauses in their terms and conditions. Online wine and gift shop, Vinebox, does just that with their limitation of liability clause. It covers loss due to damages and technical faults or malware.
Having seen some examples, let’s get into the steps to create one for your own business.
How To Write A No Responsibility Disclaimer
A disclaimer should be tailored to suit your brand and cover all necessary bases to serve its purpose. This is why a generic disclaimer might not work for you.
To help you craft the best disclaimer that protects you and your brand, here are steps to follow when writing:
- Identify the product or service you offer
This may vary from physical goods and products to intangible goods such as professional services or information-based products. - Draft out the liabilities you are likely to be subjected to
For example, if you run an eCommerce store that sells physical goods, your focus might be on protection from chargebacks, refunds, or damaged goods. On the other hand, if you run a medical blog, your concern will be more about information protection. - Figure out what rights you want to protect
A disclaimer is not only meant to reduce liabilities. It can also protect your rights. You can protect your content from copyright infringement. - Put it all in writing and format correctly
At this point, you should write a rough draft of what your disclaimer will include. Now, put it in writing and keep the language simple to easily understand. Then, structure and format it.
After writing an appropriate disclaimer, make sure it is noticeable and cannot be missed by your users. This keeps them aware of your respective responsibilities and confirms that they accept specific responsibilities associated with using your website.
Wrapping Up
A no responsibility disclaimer is not a free pass. It does not protect you from all liabilities. You might still be sued.
But in case this happens, your no responsibility disclaimer can reduce liabilities and protect you from trivial and malicious lawsuits.
It’s important to note that having a generic disclaimer won’t cut it. Instead, your no responsibility disclaimer should be tailored to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a liability disclaimer? Is it the same as a no responsibility disclaimer?
A liability disclaimer serves the same function as a no responsibility disclaimer and is also known as a disclaimer of liability or a no liability disclaimer.
Why do I need a no responsibility disclaimer?
It keeps you and your business from being held responsible for damages from using your website, products, content information, or mobile app.
Do I still need a warranty disclaimer after a no responsibility disclaimer?
Yes, if you sell a product or offer information as a service. A warranty disclaimer relieves you from damaged products or inaccurate information on your platform.
Is a disclaimer the same as terms and conditions?
No, they serve different purposes. Although many people use them interchangeably, they are different documents. Terms and conditions are policies to regulate and guide users’ interaction with your business platforms. A disclaimer is there to protect you from legal claims by limiting liabilities.
Can I copy someone else’s disclaimer?
We do not recommend that you copy someone else’s disclaimer. Other disclaimers might not fully represent your business, exposing you to legal liabilities. The best option is to write your own tailor-made disclaimer. You can also use a disclaimer generator tool to draft the right one for your needs.
