What does 'duty' mean in a lawsuit for injuries?
When talking about negligence, duty is the legal obligation that the law imposes on us to protect and respect the safety of others around us. That means doing something that a reasonably prudent person would do under the same circumstances. For example, when we drive a car, we owe a duty to drive safely to everyone else on the highway and to the pedestrians around us. Similarly, when a company manufactures a car, it has the duty to make sure it is manufactured safely. The extent of a duty to act safely, though, is often the complicated part of a lawsuit.
Other Personal Injury FAQs
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What is negligence?
A: In its most simple definition, negligence means that someone was careless and as a result of being careless, someone else was injured. Negligence serves as the basis … More -
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What does the term "liable" mean?
A: The term liable generally means that a court has determined individual, company or some other entity caused, and is responsible for, another person's injury. … More -
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What does the term "reasonable person" mean?
A: A person has acted negligently if he or she has departed from the conduct expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under the same or similar circumstances. The … More -
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What is contributory negligence?
A: The term “contributory negligence” is used to describe the actions of an injured person that may have also caused or contributed to his injury. For … More -
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What is comparative negligence?
A: Comparative negligence works on a percentage basis to assign a degree of fault for the injuries suffered. For example, in a broad-side car accident case where the … More -
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What is the "assumption of the risk" doctrine?
A: If you have knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risk inherent in a particular action that caused an accident, you cannot sue the other person for negligence if you … More -
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What does strict liability mean?
A: Some persons or companies may be held “strictly liable” for certain activities or products that harm others, even if it can’t be shown they acted … More -
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What happens during a deposition?
A: If you file a personal injury lawsuit, the attorney for the defendant will likely “depose” you or take your deposition. A deposition is the process … More -
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What is premises liability?
A: The term "premises liability" generally refers to accidents that occur due to the negligent maintenance or unsafe or dangerous conditions upon property owned … More -
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What is a personal injury?
A: A personal injury is an injury to the body, but can also include mental and emotional injuries. Personal injuries do not include injuries to property. More
Personal Injury Sub-categories
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Assault and Battery
Benzene Exposure Car Accident Dog Bite Mold Personal Injury Claims and Lawsuits |
Product Liability
Slip and Fall SUV Rollovers Taser Guns Toxic Torts |
