High Court: LDS Church not responsible for volunteer’s injuries

The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not liable for Bryan Henrie’s injuries. In a lower court case, Henrie argued the church was responsible for knee injuries he suffered after his Bishop asked him to mobilize a “Helping Hands” group during the Charlotte Fire in late June 2012. Henrie said he was given a smock that was too big. He said he was rolling wood down an embankment when it caught his smock and pulled him down the embankment. Henrie said he severely injured his right knee. In 2014, Henrie filed a complaint against the Church claiming the clothing he was given contributed to his injury. The Supreme Court upheld the 6th District Court ruling, which determined the Church did not have a duty to control or protect Henrie. The court also noted that “there could be severe costs to the community if such a duty were recognized because it would have the effect of chilling the willingness and ability of Helping Hands and other charitable organizations to provide beneficial community services.”