Will an exculpatory contract protect a skydiving school from a lawsuit by a jumper's spouse claiming negligent training and supervision?

An exculpatory contract can indeed be valid and enforceable in the context of skydiving or similar high-risk activities. Such contracts typically require participants to acknowledge and assume the inherent risks associated with the activity, which can include risks arising from negligent training and supervision. If the skydiving school has a well-drafted exculpatory agreement that is clear, explicit, and presented in a manner that ensures participants understand what they are waiving, it can protect the school from liability claims related to inherent risks of the activity.

In many jurisdictions, courts enforce exculpatory contracts if they comply with certain legal standards, such as being reasonable, not contrary to public policy, and not involving gross negligence. Therefore, if the skydiving school's contract meets these criteria, it would likely provide protection against claims for negligence stemming from the training and supervision of jumpers, including claims made by a spouse following an accident.

While there are nuances regarding the enforceability of these contracts depending on the specific circumstances and state laws, the primary strength of the agreement lies in its ability to limit the liability of a business engaged in inherently risky activities, making the provided answer justifiable in this scenario.