Richards v. Richards

In Richards v. Richards, 181 Wis. 2d 1007, 513 N.W.2d 118 (Wis. 1994), the court found an overly broad exculpatory contract void because it was against public policy. In Richards, a truck driver's employer required the driver's wife to sign a "Passenger Authorization" form before she could accompany her husband. The language of the form purported to relieve the employer and "all affiliated, associated, or subsidiary companies, partnerships, individuals, or corporations, and all other persons, firms, or corporations" from any and all liability for harm to the person signing the form. Id. at 119-122. In holding this provision overly broad and in contravention of public policy, the court noted the "very breadth of the release raises questions about its meaning . . . ." Id. at 122.