Responsabilidad de directores de organizaciones sin fines de lucro

Explicación Simple

Si trabajas como voluntario en una organización sin fines de lucro, no puedes ser demandado fácilmente si algo sale mal, siempre que hiciste tu trabajo bien. Solo podrías ser responsable si actuaste de manera muy mala o si ignoraste un riesgo que podría lastimar a alguien.

Es como cuando juegas en un equipo de fútbol. Si haces tu mejor esfuerzo y sigues las reglas, no te culpan si pierdes. Solo te pueden criticar si no te esfuerzas y haces algo realmente mal.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es el director de una organización que ayuda a niños. Si organiza un evento y algo sale mal por un error de cálculo, no puede ser demandado, siempre y cuando haya hecho lo mejor que pudo. Pero si ignoró un aviso de que había un riesgo de accidente, podría enfrentar problemas.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

42 Pa.C.S. 1986 - Amendment § 8332.2. Officer, director or trustee of nonprofit organization negligence standard. (a) General rule.-- Except as provided otherwise in this section, no person who serves without compensation, other than reimbursement for actual expenses, as an officer, director or trustee of any nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (68A Stat. 3, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions relating solely to the performance of his duties as an officer, director or trustee, unless the conduct of the person falls substantially below the standards generally practiced and accepted in like circumstances by similar persons performing the same or similar duties, and unless it is shown that the person did an act or omitted the doing of an act which the person was under a recognized duty to another to do, knowing or having reason to know that the act or omission created a substantial risk of actual harm to the person or property of another. It shall be insufficient to impose liability to establish only that the conduct of the person fell below ordinary standards of care. (b) Exception.-- Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting or modifying any existing legal basis for determining the liability, or any defense thereto, of any nonprofit association. (May 12, 1986, P.L.183, No.57, eff. imd.) 1986 Amendment. Act 57 added section 8332.2. 42 Pa.C.S. 1986 - Amendment § 8332.3. Volunteer firefighter civil immunity. Volunteer firefighters shall be treated as public employees as defined in section 8501 (relating to definitions). This section shall not be construed to reduce or eliminate any other immunity provided to volunteer firefighters by law. (Dec. 15,