Disclaimers in general

A reader (well, former reader) and lawyer wrote to me about a disclaimer I'm using. The complaint seemed to be that if I'm not confident about my accuracy, then I shouldn't be broadcasting my views.

I don't care for disclaimers. They seem to me to belabour the obvious. But although I'm happy for any protection, my disclaimers are not principally about 'accuracy' ("negligent misstatement," in lawyerspeak) — they're more about applicability ("fitness for purpose," yet more lawyerspeak).

Short essays are blunt instruments, making only a point or two. There are, therefore, several (arguably acceptable) reasons for my disclaimers:

• It's important that readers not 'self-medicate' based on general information, when for particular situations they'll need specific, contextualised advice.
• Everything has a 'use by' date. I wouldn't want a superseded essay to mislead anyone after circumstances had changed.
• Linked information can change. Although some of my referenced links have disappeared, I'm unaware of information changes in any linked pages. (I try to check the links from time to time.)
  
• I don't have the time or resources to entertain a vexatious lawsuit.

I'm not alone. The Mayo Clinic, for example, is seemingly confident in its abilities. Nevertheless, their disclaimers are substantial. ▪

People are like teeth: It's when they break that we notice
the incredible pressure we put on them.
—Yllib Ybnad (b. 1948)