I was asked to serve as an adjunct instructor for some pistol classes, and I discovered that I couldn't break even on buying liability insurance without teaching a lot more classes than I have time for. It's a shame, too, I'd have done it for free if it wasn't so expensive.

I've known people who have jobs, or hobbies, that might put them at risk of liability. A couple of them talked to a lawyer and got advised to transfer their assets to their wives or family members. If you own nothing and have nothing in your name they can sue all they want.

Scammers go after deep pockets and people/insurance companies willing to write a big check to avoid a protracted legal fight.

I would advise anyone teaching classes to talk to a lawyer. A lawyer can advise you as to what your exposure is and what you may want to do about it. A well written release signed by everyone who takes a course can give you limited protection.

The best deal is often from a lawyer that has an interest in the subject you teach or work in. A local SCUBA instructor uses the services of an ex-student and SCUBA enthusiast, who happens to be a good lawyer. He gets better rates and the lawyer is more aware of the potential risks and concerns of the instructor.

Yes, there are unscrupulous people out there who take advantage of situations and scammers who will try to pull a fast one. Some of this is basic human dishonesty.

Some of it are caused or made worse by economic or social injustice. In areas with universal health care there is little incentive to try to make an injury look like it happened at work. And payoff for slip accidents tend to be much smaller. Fewer people are interested in a scam where getting seriously injured is required and the main payoff is health care you could get by simply walking into a clinic.

It also says something about a nation when people are reduced to getting arrested to have a warm place to sleep, regular meals and basic health care.

It also has to be pointed out that even thought many such scams are easy to commit, with little risk of being busted, they remain relatively rare. Most scams are well within the physical and mental capabilities of virtually anyone but only a very few commit them. Most scams are committed by people who do them over and over again. Which also explains why they get caught. Most people are restrained by an implicit social contract that says if you want to live in a better society you have to act like a citizen in a better society.