Per Se Legal Theory

Also keep in mind that this theory only works if the plaintiff belonged to a group of people who wanted to protect the law in question. It is therefore a defence to show that the applicant did not belong to this protected class. Negligence per se is a theory of bodily injury in which a person acted negligently in injuring someone in a violation of the law. However, the theory is different because it uses circumstantial evidence to prove negligent behavior – not violation of a law. If you file a personal injury lawsuit in Nebraska, you will encounter the legal theory of negligence. Negligence is the basis of most civil actions. As an injured party, it is your responsibility to prove negligence before you can receive financial compensation. However, a less common doctrine called negligence per se can reduce your burden of proof and make it easier to get compensation. Negligence per se is a legal doctrine that holds that the violation of a law or regulation intended in whole or in part to prevent harm may form the basis of a claim for compensation for the damage caused by the breach. In some States, negligence per se is a cause of action, while in others it is merely a presumption of negligence. These concepts are discussed in more detail in the Legal Rights of Dog Bite Victims in the United States section. In California, negligence per se is a legal doctrine that states that if a person violates a particular provision of a law, that act is considered negligent. The presumption of negligence may be rebutted if the defendant „did what may reasonably be expected of a person with ordinary prudence who acted in similar circumstances and wished to comply with the law.“ However, finding that an act was inherently negligent is extremely helpful in a personal injury case, as the jury does not have to determine what constitutes the standard of care for a reasonable person in the particular circumstances.

John eventually sued Linda for damages for the injury. The state they live in has a law that says it is illegal for a motorist to use a handheld device while driving a vehicle. Defense lawyers rely on several legal strategies to challenge these allegations. This includes proving that: Res ipsa loquitur, Latin for „the thing speaks for itself“, is a legal theory in which the facts and circumstances of an offence allow the court to presume negligence. [2] In a case of simple negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed him a duty and that his conduct was not in conformity with that obligation. [3] However, according to res ipsa loquitur, negligence on the part of the defendant can be presumed and therefore does not need to be proved. [4] California applies the theory of negligence per se. Code of Evidence 669 is the California law that describes doctrine. To win in court, Stacy must prove that Hector was negligent in driving his motor vehicle.

It can do so under a theory of negligence per se. Given that Hector breached his legal obligation not to engage in reckless conduct, it is suspected that he acted negligently in his particular case. That alone is sufficient evidence of negligence. Stacy does not have to prove separately that the defendant`s conduct was inappropriate. Negligence per se is a legal doctrine in which defendants` presumptions are negligently acted if they violate a law or regulation and thereby hurt someone. The theory arises in relation to claims for bodily injury. While all States follow the general premise of the doctrine, States differ slightly in their application. Res ipsa loquitor is a legal doctrine used in cases of bodily injury to show negligent behavior. Negligence per se (also known as „legal“ negligence) is a theory that makes it easier for a victim to prove a negligent cause of action and obtain damages. According to the doctrine, the actions of a defendant are considered inappropriate when they violate a law.

These cases are very common in the context of car accidents. In addition, in order to obtain a theory of negligence per se, the applicant must also prove that she belonged to the group of persons intended to be protected by law. [13] For example, the Minnesota legislature passed legislation requiring railroads to maintain fences at roads and intersections. A drunk man sleeping at the crossing of the tracks was seriously injured when he was struck by a train. Although the failure to erect a fence at the intersection was a violation of Minnesota law, the court found that the purpose of the Railroad Fencing Act was to keep livestock, pets and young children off the tracks. The man who should have known better than sleeping on a railway track without a fence was not one of the people the law was supposed to protect. Therefore, negligence per se cannot be used to fulfill the elements of duty and breach of a case of negligence. [14] Res ipsa loquitor is another theory used in personal injury cases to prove negligence. However, unlike negligence itself, the doctrine seeks to establish negligence by circumstantial evidence. Negligence in itself facilitates the victory of a lawsuit against the defendant because he broke the law or did not break the law.

It is not necessary to prove that the defendant breached a duty of care. Its unlawful breach is sufficient to establish negligence and to prove that the defendant failed to meet the standard of care. Alternatively, some acts are considered negligence in themselves and do not require proof that the negligence was intentional. For example, if a doctor fails to remove a sponge from a patient`s body, it would be inherently negligent. In addition, the defendant may sometimes limit or prevent recovery on the basis of the settlement/contribution negligence rules. These may be levied if the plaintiff`s actions have caused or contributed to his or her own damage. Some states follow variations of neglect itself. In some states, for example, the violation of a safety law gives rise to a presumption of negligence. However, the defendant may rebut this presumption in order to avoid liability.

In other jurisdictions, the violation of the law is only evidence of negligence. The breach does not create a rebuttable presumption of negligence and does not give rise to negligence. Moreover, in these states, unlike traditional negligence per se, a defendant has the opportunity to prove his or her actions, even if they did not meet the standards of the Safety Ordinance or the law. Here, the doctor can successfully contest any claim that is negligent in itself. While the physician may have broken the law, Brian was not in the class of people the law was intended to protect. He was not a patient or a person with emergency medical needs. The doctrine that allows this conclusion is „negligence per se,“ and the doctrine can make it easier for the victim to obtain compensation. Its application varies from state to state. The key element of any traditional negligence per se is that the jury no longer has to consider whether the defendant`s actions were appropriate or not.