A disclaimer is any statement intended to specify or delimit the scope of rights and obligations that may be exercised and enforced by parties in a legally-recognized relationship. It usually implies situations that involve some level of uncertainty, waiver, or risk. A disclaimer may specify mutually-agreed and privately-arranged terms and conditions as part of a contract. It may specify warnings or expectations to the general public in order to fulfill a duty of care owed to prevent unreasonable risk of harm or injury. Some disclaimers are intended to limit exposure to damages after harm or injury has already been suffered. Some kinds of disclaimers may represent a voluntary waiver of a right or obligation that may be owed to the disclaimant.
Disclaimers may vary depending on the specific context and parties involved. However, some other types of disclaimers may strictly adhere to a uniform and established set of formalities that are rarely or never modified, except under official authority.