A waiver or release is the intentional and voluntary act of relinquishing something, such as a known right to sue a person or organization for an injury. The term waiver is sometimes used to refer a document that is signed before any damages actually occur. A release is sometimes used to refer a document that is executed after an injury has occurred. Courts to not always uphold waivers and releases. Courts vary in their approach to releases depending on the particular facts of each case, the releases’ effect on other statutes and laws, and the courts’ views of the benefits of releases as a matter of public policy.