Assumption of risk is a common law doctrine that refers to a plaintiff's inability to recover for the tortious actions of a negligent party in scenarios where the plaintiff voluntarily accepted the risk of those actions.
Primary Assumption of Risk Understands the inherent risk of an activity. Chooses to take part in the activity while understanding the inherent risk. Is injured in a manner consistent with the inherent risks of that activity.
The assumption of risk doctrine is a legal defense that a person can use when facing a personal injury case. If the defense can prove that the plaintiff knew the specific risk associated with their actions and chose to follow through anyway, it could hinder the plaintiff's recovery.
Under the “primary assumption of the risk” doctrine, a defendant is not liable when you get injured due to a risk inherent in an activity – such as a sport – in which you choose to participate. Example: People who play soccer at their local park assume the risk of getting hit accidentally by a kick.
The implied assumption of risk occurs when a person engages in dangerous activities or activities with inherent dangers, but there is no verbal or written agreement. Despite there not being an agreement in place, the plaintiff knowingly assumed risk and chose to participate in an inherently dangerous activity anyway.
For example, if a baseball fan gets hit in the head with a baseball, they cannot sue the stadium for their injury because it is assumed they were aware of the risk simply by their willingness to be present in the stadium.
The assumption of risk doctrine states that in instances where a person knows of the risk of an activity, that person accepts the risk when voluntarily engaging in the pursuit. Therefore, that person cannot sue for damages based upon injuries which arise from the given activity.
Informed consent is a key concept in the assumption of risk. It refers to the process by which a person is fully informed about the risks involved in an activity or procedure, and then voluntarily agrees to assume those risks.
Assumption of risk shall mean that (1) the person knew of and understood the specific danger, (2) the person voluntarily exposed himself or herself to the danger, and (3) the person's injury or death or the harm to property occurred as a result of his or her exposure to the danger.