If you’re a business professional, you may have heard of the legal phrase “negligence per se.” It’s a concept that has to do with civil liability under the law and is an important consideration for businesses, as a violation could lead to costly settlements. Here, we’ll explain what it means and provide an example of negligence per se in action.
What Is Negligence Per Se?
Simply put, “negligence per se” means that a person’s actions are considered negligence because they are in violation of a safety law. It’s a legal doctrine that makes a person liable when they violate a safety law that is meant to protect others from harm. So, if someone doesn’t follow the law and, as a result, someone gets hurt or property is damaged, their actions are considered negligence per se.
An Example of Negligence Per Se in Action
Let’s look at an example to illustrate how negligence per se works. Let’s say that a restaurant has a sign posted in its parking lot that says “no parking.” However, a customer ignores the sign and parks in the lot anyway. While the customer is in the restaurant, their car is hit by another car and damaged. In this instance, the customer would be open to a negligence per se claim, as they violated the safety law by disregarding the “no parking” sign and someone else’s property was damaged as a result.
The Key Takeaway
When it comes to negligence per se, it’s important to remember that a person may be held liable if they violate a safety law and someone else is harmed as a result. Businesses should be aware of this concept and make sure they comply with safety laws in order to avoid any potential legal troubles.