Legal issues when making forecasts

[Truth Seeker]

Does anyone know what legal issues are involved when private individuals make hurricane forecasts? What are the ramifications if the general public acts on those forecasts? Undoubtedly, major weather firms and government entities have large legal staffs to handle litigation, but what about the average weather enthusiast making their own weather forecast? Is there a sufficient disclaimer approved by lawyers or some legal general counsel that would shield those people from weather related lawsuits? Is this untested ground? Will the first case be the precedent setter?

[wxmann_91]

Does anyone know what legal issues are involved when private individuals make hurricane forecasts? What are the ramifications if the general public acts on those forecasts? Undoubtedly, major weather firms and government entities have large legal staffs to handle litigation, but what about the average weather enthusiast making their own weather forecast? Is there a sufficient disclaimer approved by lawyers or some legal general counsel that would shield those people from weather related lawsuits? Is this untested ground? Will the first case be the precedent setter?

That's why there's a disclaimer.

[Bailey1777]

Oh Boy!!

[jlauderdal]

Does anyone know what legal issues are involved when private individuals make hurricane forecasts? What are the ramifications if the general public acts on those forecasts? Undoubtedly, major weather firms and government entities have large legal staffs to handle litigation, but what about the average weather enthusiast making their own weather forecast? Is there a sufficient disclaimer approved by lawyers or some legal general counsel that would shield those people from weather related lawsuits? Is this untested ground? Will the first case be the precedent setter?

hit the local law library and report back to us next summer, thanks

[sfwx]

Are you going to sue someone that made a forecast you didn't like?!?!?

[SouthFloridawx]

Does anyone know what legal issues are involved when private individuals make hurricane forecasts? What are the ramifications if the general public acts on those forecasts? Undoubtedly, major weather firms and government entities have large legal staffs to handle litigation, but what about the average weather enthusiast making their own weather forecast? Is there a sufficient disclaimer approved by lawyers or some legal general counsel that would shield those people from weather related lawsuits? Is this untested ground? Will the first case be the precedent setter?

What is your point?

Freedom of speech?

Please refer to the follow for all OFICIAL FORECASTS:

http://www.noaa.gov
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

[Bailey1777]

My unofficial forecast is that your question will not be popular with the members here.

[TheShrimper]

Good advice J. Your typing skills are more efficient then mine.

[SeaBrz_FL]

Does anyone know what legal issues are involved when private individuals make hurricane forecasts? What are the ramifications if the general public acts on those forecasts? Undoubtedly, major weather firms and government entities have large legal staffs to handle litigation, but what about the average weather enthusiast making their own weather forecast? Is there a sufficient disclaimer approved by lawyers or some legal general counsel that would shield those people from weather related lawsuits? Is this untested ground? Will the first case be the precedent setter?

Sounds like a thesis intro. Good luck!

[mf_dolphin]

I think it's a fair question. The reason we require a disclaimer on all non-professional forecasts is to provide the reader with sufficient warning as to the content. While there will always be someone willing to sue we do our best to make this difficult.

[TheShrimper]

Joe Blow "me" predicts on this forum that Hurricane BS is going to make landfall at Islamorada. You, "schlepper" are in Melbourne and after asorbing my comments, take them as gospel. BS hits you dead on, you lose everything. You are gonna sue me and win a suit? Don't think so.

[TheShrimper]

Marshall, sueing is one thing, anyone can sue for whatever reasons they desire. Winning a suit, or even having it be heard, is a totally different ball game.

[Truth Seeker]

Many thanks mf_dolphin. Fair enough on your disclaimer response. Its unfortunate that others have seen my question as unpopular and controversial, but this is a fact of life in our society. I have seen some interesting web sites out there linked through this forum and their pages look somewhat professional and this can be very mis-leading to someone unfamiliar with who does what forecast. Certainly Govt and large firms can fight off such lawsuits, but an unwary individual maintaining a personal forecast page may be unaware of the costs required to defend against such litigation even if it is frivolous.

Anyways, its just a question. For those taking offense...lighten up...its just a forum for asking questions and posting responses. Thats the true purpose, isn't it?

[Stratosphere747]

Nothing wrong with setting a precedent and getting that aspect out of the way. Go ahead and make a forecast Shrimper and I'll see you in court...

On a serious note. Sooner or later some type of suit will be filed. On which level of course it is hard to say. There has been times that folks here have used formats almost exactly like the NHC and could no doubt be taken out of context. Such a simple miss by the board and allowed to sit for any time, could lead to certain ramifications, if said graph or forecast is so similar to the NHC.

Amazing how a lawyer can find a way to manipulate what is such simplistic information into a perceived liability.

[TheShrimper]

It will never get to court, pal. Firstly, no accredited councel would represent you in the case. Secondly, the laughter surrounding your claim would send you high tailing out of Texas. See ya at the LA. state line.

[TheShrimper]

Just joking, of course. TheShrimper.

[whereverwx]

Personally, I think there should be a separate forum for individual amateur forecasts. And I think that if that were to happen, it should only be viewable to registered members.

[Stratosphere747]

LOL...

Finding a lawyer would be easy. Just the thought of the publicity would make it an easy pro bono case.

Still intriguing though. I doubt we will see one over a private forecast. But I'm sure someday a crackpot will file a suit over a missed forecast by the NHC.

[TheShrimper]

I hear that.

[sma10]

Personally, I think there should be a separate forum for individual amateur forecasts.

Amen to that.