As pickleball and padel facilities continue to grow, so do the questions around liability, independent contractors, waivers, and insurance protection. One of the biggest gray areas for many operators? Working with 1099 coaches, outside instructors, and third-party leagues.
In a recent conversation with Cameron Linder, CEO of the Pickleball Insurance Program, several key themes emerged that every facility owner should be paying attention to — especially as participation grows and claims become more common.
1099 Coaches: Are They a Liability Risk?
According to Linder, facilities are often more protected than they think when it comes to independent contractor coaches.
“If a customer gets injured while working with a coach, they’re probably going to sue the facility anyway,” Linder explained. “The result is often the same.”
That doesn’t mean operators should ignore the issue. Instead, facilities should focus on making sure the proper protections are in place before a coach ever steps on court.
The Ideal Setup for Facilities
Linder says the best-case scenario includes two critical pieces:
- A written agreement between the facility and the coach
- Liability insurance carried by the coach that names the facility as an additional insured
The written agreement is especially important because many insurance policies won’t extend protection without it.
“The contract doesn’t need to be the length of a mortgage document,” Linder noted. “It can be a simple two-page agreement.”
For operators, this means even a straightforward coach agreement can create meaningful protection if a claim arises.
Waivers Still Matter — But Details Matter More
Most facility owners already know waivers are important. But Linder says many clubs are unknowingly weakening their waivers through poor software setup and missing signatures.
One common issue? Multiple signature fields.
If even one signature line is left blank, attorneys may try to challenge the validity of the waiver. Linder recommends simplifying waiver systems down to a single signature point whenever possible.
Another growing issue is facilities relying on “accept” buttons instead of actual recorded signatures.
“A digital acknowledgment is good,” he explained, “but having the actual signature land on the signature line is much stronger.”
For operators using reservation or waiver software, now is a good time to audit the user flow and confirm signatures are actually being stored correctly.
Video Surveillance Could Save Your Facility Thousands
Perhaps the biggest takeaway for operators was Linder’s emphasis on video retention.
Many injured players leave facilities without reporting anything. Days later — often after a doctor visit — they may decide to pursue a claim.
Without video footage, facilities are often stuck in a “their word versus yours” scenario.
Linder recommends facilities maintain:
- At least 30 days of DVR/video backup
- Longer retention windows (60–90 days) in more litigious states like Florida, California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey
He shared an example involving a current Florida claim where video footage completely contradicted the injured player’s version of events. Without the footage, the facility likely would have been forced to rely solely on the claimant’s account.
For many operators, investing in additional storage space may be one of the cheapest long-term risk management decisions they can make.
Claims Are Increasing as Pickleball Matures
As the sport becomes more mainstream, Linder says claims frequency is noticeably increasing.
Early adopters of pickleball often understood the risks associated with play. Today, more casual participants are entering the sport — and that changes the liability landscape.
“It’s becoming less just dedicated fanatics and more casual players,” he said. “That changes who turns around and sues.”
For facility owners, this reinforces the importance of having:
- Strong waivers
- Proper contracts
- Video retention
- Clear operational documentation
Don’t Overlook Workers’ Comp Exposure
One often-overlooked issue involves workers’ compensation insurance.
Even though instructors may be independent contractors, facilities can still see those payments factored into their workers’ comp calculations if the coaches don’t carry their own workers’ comp coverage.
That means facilities could end up absorbing additional insurance costs tied to contractor payouts.
While Linder notes the premiums are typically manageable in pickleball, operators should still account for those costs when negotiating instructor arrangements and budgeting for insurance expenses.
The Bottom Line for Facility Owners
As pickleball and padel facilities scale, legal and insurance processes can no longer be treated as afterthoughts. The good news? Many of the most effective protections are operational — not expensive.
A few simple steps can dramatically reduce exposure:
- Tighten waiver systems
- Use written coach agreements
- Verify insurance coverage
- Extend video retention windows
- Understand workers’ comp implications
For operators juggling programming, staffing, memberships, and expansion, these backend details may not feel urgent — until a claim happens. And by then, the paperwork matters.