When a person intentionally harms you, either physically or verbally, this falls under intentional torts. Being the victim of assault can cause damage or injury to your body as well as emotional trauma. Domestic violence and abuse could also fall under this category. Defamation (making false statements either via text or verbally) can cause unwarranted reputational damage.
Negligence is one of the most common types of liabilities. It generally occurs when a person has not taken enough reasonable care to ensure the safety of another party. For instance, allowing a visitor onto a construction site without the proper safety gear or not displaying a “wet floor” sign when washing floors in a public area, which leads to a visitor slipping, could also prove to be negligence.
A bicycle accident could also be due to negligence. Negligence could occur if the cyclist didn’t take adequate safety precautions (wearing a helmet, abiding by road rules) or if the motorist was negligent (driving under the influence, or distracted by a mobile device). A bike accident attorney would be able to advise further on this type of accident.
As a property owner, you could be held liable for any injuries that occur to other parties on your premises. For instance, if a dog bit a visitor on your property, a cyclist fell on your driveway due to an obstacle placed there, or if someone slipped and fell on your slippery stairs and there were no preventative measures or railings, you could be held liable for damages and have to pay them compensation.
Manufacturers and distributors have to be wary of product quality, including adequate and accurate labeling. If a product is used by or consumed by someone and it causes them harm, damage, or injury, you could be held liable for compensation due to product liability. Be careful of selling defective or harmful products, and always ensure you sell age-appropriate products when it comes to teenagers and minors.
In most cases, a person may not have intended to cause you harm. However, strict liability applies when a person is involved in activities or handles items that are dangerous. For instance, if a person kept dangerous wild animals on their property, or if they stored hazardous chemicals, they could be held liable for damages caused to you.
Even in the event that the person (or company) took every precaution to ensure that no harm came to others, it is not possible to cover all bases, all the time. For example, if you purchase firecrackers that are defective, the manufacturer or seller could be held liable for any damages.
With vicarious liability, one party is held responsible for the actions of another. A common example of this would be in an employer-employee situation. For instance, when a truck driver who is hauling goods for an employer has an accident due to a lack of maintenance on the vehicle, the employer could be held liable for the accident.
Another example is when the employee has a car accident when carrying out their duties, even if in the safest of cars. There are various factors that influence vicarious liability, but if the employee was acting on the instruction of the employer, then liability falls to the employer.