assumption of risk
Voluntary hazard acknowledgment
Assumption of risk is a legal doctrine holding that a person who voluntarily engages in a dangerous activity cannot later sue for injuries resulting from known hazards.
By skiing on that slope, you assume the risk of collision.
The defense bars or limits recovery when the plaintiff understood and accepted the danger.
Courts distinguish between primary assumption of risk (defendant owes no duty) and secondary (plaintiff's recovery may be reduced).
- waiverFormal surrender of rights
- foreseeabilityCapacity to be anticipated
- liability waiversContracts disclaiming legal responsibility
- indemnityProtection against financial loss
- informed consentPermission given with understanding
punitive damages · safety protocols · insurance coverage · occupational safety · personal responsibility · hazard · cognitive bias · plaintiff · decision theory · defendant · peril · fault · reckless · signed · danger · knowingly · lawsuit · warning
assumption of riskstrict liability
Legal responsibility without fault
duty of care · negligence · breach of duty · product liability · gross negligence