What is Negligence?
Negligence is the failure to use a reasonable degree of care given the circumstances. The four elements of negligence are a duty owed to a plaintiff, a breach of that duty by the defendant, proximate cause, and injury or damage suffered by the plaintiff. It is essentially carelessness.
According to Black’s Law Dictionary, negligence is defined as “the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in a similar situation.” As such, negligence refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. It forms the basis of many personal injury claims and lawsuits, where a plaintiff alleges that their injuries or damages were caused by the negligent actions or omissions of another party.
Key elements of negligence include:
- Duty of care: The legal obligation of an individual or entity to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others. This duty may arise from professional relationships, ownership of property, or other circumstances.
- Breach of duty: A failure to fulfill the duty of care by acting or failing to act in a way that deviates from what a reasonably prudent person would do.
- Causation: The link between the defendant’s breach of duty and the plaintiff’s injuries or damages. It must be shown that the defendant’s actions or omissions directly caused harm to the plaintiff.
- Damages: Actual harm or losses suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant’s negligent conduct, which may include physical injuries, emotional distress, property damage, or financial losses.
Legal principles related to negligence aim to compensate injured parties for their losses and encourage individuals and businesses to act responsibly to prevent foreseeable harm. For example, if your landlord doesn’t fix a rickety set of steps you let him to, and you fall through the steps a week later, the landlord is negligent in his duty of care. Understanding the elements of negligence is essential in personal injury cases and other legal disputes where liability is based on the failure to exercise reasonable care under specific circumstance
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What to Do If Dangerous Weather Caused a Pennsylvania Truck Accident
Driving in the winter or under various dangerous weather conditions can be a challenge, regardless of the vehicle you’re driving. Rain, snow, sleet, fog, and sun glare can all affect driver performance. Conditions affecting visibility and traction entail longer brake times with an increased chance of losing control of the vehicle.
If you find yourself involved in a truck accident caused by dangerous weather conditions, your immediate priority should be safety—move to a secure location if possible and call emergency services right away. Following the accident, document the weather conditions with photos and gather witness information, as these details will be critical when working with insurance companies or Pennsylvania truck crash attorneys to establish how weather factors contributed to the accident.
The Dangerous Combination of Large Commercial Semi-Trucks and Adverse Weather Conditions
There are over 120,903 linear miles of roadways across Pennsylvania, […]
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Dog Bite Lawyer
If you were attacked by a dog, contact a dog bite lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation.
Any type of animal attack can be devastating. Often, the victim of an animal bite will have both physical and emotional scarring. This is where our experienced dog attack attorneys can help.
For over 60 years, the lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys have represented injury victims, including dog bite victims, throughout Pennsylvania. We understand how complicated these cases can sometimes be and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your case.
Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover bite injuries, so let us help you recover the damages you deserve for your scarring, pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages from your injury.
Our injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. […]
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Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer
If a doctor fails to diagnose a patient with cancer, the consequences can be life-threatening. Even a delayed diagnosis may be the difference between life and death.
If you or a family member have suffered because of a doctor’s incorrect or missed diagnosis of cancer, you may be entitled to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. A cancer misdiagnosis lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will review the details of your situation, answer your questions, and help you determine what to do next. Our medical malpractice lawyers have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered due to medical negligence. We have consistently been named among the Best Lawyers in America, and we have earned the highest client satisfaction ratings possible. To speak with a cancer misdiagnosis lawyer now, fill out our email form, or call us. The consultation is free. […]
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How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident?
In general, there is no limit to how much you can sue someone for a car accident. However, there are factors that may limit how much compensation you will recover in a lawsuit. Things like the severity of the injuries, the extent of the other party’s negligence and the coverage of insurance policies will all limit what you can recover.
How Much Can a Car Accident Victim Sue For?
Car accident victims can sue for economic and noneconomic damages depending on the severity of the wreck. The only way to really maximize the total compensation a victim may be awarded is by utilizing the legal representation of a car accident lawyer.
Potential compensation a car accident victim may be awarded include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
What will be awarded will also depend on the severity of the crash. […]
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What Are the Chances of Winning a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
When you are hurt in an accident because of the negligence of another, your first instinct may be to just let it go. After such a traumatic experience, it’s easy to want to push past it and move forward. However, other people may see this traumatic experience and immediately think the right move is to sue in a personal injury lawsuit.
But what are the chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit? While no personal injury attorney can guarantee an outcome for your claim or case, working with a reputable law firm can help you win your claim and secure the compensation you need to move forward.
When Can You Sue For a Personal Injury?
There are many accidents that may result in needing to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to recover the compensation needed to deal with your injuries and financial losses. […]
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