Theories of Liability in a Personal Injury Claim | Article (2024)

Theories of Liability in a Personal Injury Claim | Article (1)

If you are injured due to the actions of another party, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against them for damages. Before you do, though, it’s important that you understand the theory of liability that is guiding your claim. If you have questions about what theory of liability may apply to your case, reach out to our experienced injury lawyers at the Mandel Law Firm today.

Negligence

Negligence is the failure to exercise the same degree of care that a person of ordinary prudence would exercise in the same situation. Negligence is the basis of the vast majority of personal injury claims.

Strict Liability

Strict liability is a theory of liability that does not require the plaintiff to prove the negligence of the defendant. Instead, the defendant is held strictly liable for an injury to the victim. This often exists in defective product cases, where the defendant is held strictly liable for harm caused by a product that is found to be defective, regardless of negligence.

Vicarious Liability

Vicarious liability is a theory of liability that holds that a supervisor or employer bears responsibility for the actions of their subordinates or employees. For example, if a truck driver causes a crash, the trucking company may be held liable for the damages that result.

Intentional Torts

An intentional tort is committed when someone causes harm to another with intent. For example, assault is a type of intentional tort. Negligence does not need to be established in intentional tort claims.

Liability in Products Liability Claims

In addition to the theories of liability discussed above, there are also two additional theories of liability that are applied in products liability claims.

  • Breach of warranty. A breach of warranty claim exists when a product fails to function in a way that is either expressly stated or implied. For example, a person who buys sunglasses that don’t offer any UV protection, leading to eye damage, may have a breach of warranty claim.
  • Misrepresentation, or fraud, occurs when a product manufacturer deliberately misrepresents something about a product. If the company knew that the information was incorrect and shared it regardless, they can be held liable for any damages that result.

Reach Out to a Skilled New York City Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you have been involved in an accident and have suffered an injury that you believe was caused by another party’s negligence, you may have a personal injury claim. The best way to find out more about the viability of your claim and what you should do to improve your chances of recovering compensation is to meet with a skilled personal injury lawyer. At the Mandel Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys can assist you by investigating your case, building your claim, and representing you in all conversations with the other party and insurance adjusters. Reach out to us by phone or online to get started.

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Theories of Liability in a Personal Injury Claim | Article (2024)

FAQs

What is the theory of liability in personal injury? ›

The theory of liability in a particular case will also be based on the type of personal injury and the specific facts surrounding your case. Generally speaking, personal injury lawsuits tend to fall under one of the following three theories of liability: negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty.

What are the theories of liabilities? ›

The theories of liability include breach of warranty, negligence, and strict liability. If you are injured by a product, these are the three avenues by which you may recover compensation.

What is a legal theory that imposes liability? ›

Strict liability is a theory that imposes legal responsibility for damages or injuries even if the person who was found strictly liable did not act with fault or negligence.

In what types of cases is strict liability an appropriate theory of recovery? ›

The plaintiff only must show that strict liability rules apply and that they were harmed by the defendant. For example, if a defendant engaged in ultrahazardous activities that created an inevitable risk of harm, the plaintiff could recover compensation by showing these activities occurred and caused harm.

What is the theory of personal liability? ›

The principle of personal liability relates to the personal aspects of the imposition of criminal liability, including the identity of those involved in the perpetration of the offense as well as the course of the offense itself, from planning to full completion.

What is the general principle of liability theory? ›

The general principle of liability talks that if any damage had been caused to any person by any other person, the suffered person should be compensated for the damage caused to him. The essentials of tort are Act or omission along with legal injury.

What are the basis and theory of liability? ›

II. THEORIES OF LIABILITY. A products liability claim normally involves injury or damage caused by a defective product. Proving the claim usually involves one or more of three basic theories of liability: negligence, breach of contract/warranty, and strict liability.

What is the absolute theory of liability? ›

Absolute liability is responsibility without fault or negligence. Absolute liability crimes are those that can be punished without a finding of mens rea (state of mind/criminal intent).

What are the three principles of liability? ›

(a) A third party can be liable to pay damages. (b) Plaintiff assumes and accepts the risks. (c) Damage occurs without injuries.

What is the fault theory of liability? ›

11.4 The Fault In Fault Liability

The fault principle holds that an injurer will not be required to make good his victim's losses, even if he has caused them, unless he is at fault in having done so.

What is an example of a strict liability theory? ›

An example of a strict liability claim may be when a consumer buys a product that turns out to be defective or dangerous and is then injured by using it. Another example may be injuries caused by someone's dangerous animal.

What is the premises liability theory? ›

When you are injured while lawfully on someone else's property, the owner is liable for your injuries if the owner's negligence caused your injury. This is called premises liability.

What is the theory of liability negligence? ›

Under the legal principle of negligence, when someone acts in a careless way and causes an injury to another person, the careless person is legally liable for any resulting harm.

What are the legal theories of recovery? ›

' There are three primary theories of recovery in property insurance: Efficient Proximate Cause (“EPC”), the Concurrent Causation Doctrine (“CCD”), and the Anti-Concurrent Causation Doctrine (“ACCD”). These theories are usually not labeled or easy to identify.

What is the negligence theory of recovery? ›

In order to recover under negligence theory, the plaintiff (the individual bringing the lawsuit) must establish four elements: (1) that the defendant (injurer or tortfeasor) had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent harm to the plaintiff; (2) that the defendant breached this duty; and (3) that the conduct that ...

What is the meaning of liability to injury? ›

Put simply, liability means 'responsibility'. If a person or organisation is liable for your accident or injury, it means they're at fault and you may be able to make a compensation claim.

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