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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Wilkes-Barre Workers’ Comp and Third Party Claims
Wilkes-Barre workers’ comp and third party lawsuits: how a workers’ comp attorney can help
What should you do if you were injured at work in Wilkes-Barre or Luzerne County, Pennsylvania? What if a contributing cause was that a piece of equipment was faulty or malfunctioned? You might submit a claim under the guidelines of Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation. However, the amount awarded may or may not cover all the medical and related expenses incurred when you could not work. How would you find funds to cover the additional costs? A third-party lawsuit against the equipment manufacturer might be the answer.
Our Wilkes’ Barre workers’ comp lawyer could provide wisdom and guidance in such a situation. Our workers’ comp lawyers have received many awards and have been highly ranked by client and peer reviews from Martindale-Hubbell. Munley Law began protecting workers’ rights to compensation for on-the-job injuries in 1959. […]
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Your Guide to Filing a Lawsuit
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Personal Injury Lawyers’ Guide to Filing a Lawsuit
If a company or person has acted in negligence and caused you serious injury, you may file a lawsuit in order to obtain financial compensation from the at-fault party. But filing a lawsuit can be a challenging task. Any slight mistake can cost you the compensation that you deserve or cause further damages. That’s why you need the proper guidance and an experienced team of attorneys.
Below, we will explain what it means to file a personal injury lawsuit and how to increase your chances of winning.
What does it mean to file a lawsuit?
A lawsuit is a formal legal case that you or your lawyer files with the court. Filing a lawsuit involves telling the court that the defendant acted negligently and hurt you (the plaintiff). […]
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What is the Coming and Going Rule in Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ Comp Coming and Going Rule: How it Affects Your Claim
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides financial aid to employees to cover the medical expenses and lost wages due to work-related illnesses, diseases, and injuries. The Pennsylvania Workmen’s (Workers’) Compensation Act was enacted in 1915 and is mandatory for most employers across the state. The insurance is meant to benefit both the employee and the employer, protecting the employee in cases of illness and injury on the job, and the employer from being sued for such cases. Compensation is roughly 66% of the employee’s average weekly wage.
There is an exception, however, to workers’ comp. It’s called the Going and Coming Rule.
What is the Going and Coming Rule?
According to DMV.ORG, the Going and Coming Rule is when an employee gets into an accident and/or is injured commuting either to or from work. […]
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Pennsylvania Bicycle Safety Laws
Pennsylvania Bicycle Laws: Everything You Should Know
Over the years, one of the biggest threats to public safety is road accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) secretary, one life lost is one too many, and the organization is working towards zero deaths.
Sadly, however, the number of traffic accident fatalities remains startling. Though there was a record low of 1,059 deaths in 2019, the number rose to 1,129. Among the most vulnerable to such crashes are cyclists.
Though there was a decrease in bicyclist injuries from 1,003 in 2019 to 799 in 2020, the number of fatalities rose from 16 to 22. For the lucky ones, they walk away from such incidents with minor injuries. But for some, it’s not the case.
Due to the evident disadvantage cyclists have, a bicycle crash with a vehicle can result in severe injuries. […]
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RV Accidents in Pennsylvania
Summer Travel: RV Accidents in Pennsylvania
RVing is a culture popular with residents of Pennsylvania. Some people acquire RVs for occasional use, such as summer holidays or weekend trips, while others prefer cruising with these vehicles all year long. Sadly, accidents involving RVs often lead to catastrophic injuries, thanks to the vehicles’ enormous sizes and mass. If you are involved in an RV accident in Pennsylvania, an experienced auto accident lawyer can help you determine what to do next.
Although many RV operators are usually careful when cruising with these big machines, some just lack the skills and attention needed to enhance safety. This poses a significant danger to motorists, bystanders, and pedestrians who may end up with serious injuries, permanent damage, or in worst-case scenarios, loss of life.
Our RV accident attorneys are committed to helping residents of Pennsylvania who have been victimized by the poor decision of others obtain fair compensation. […]
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