The Assumption Of Risk Defense In New York State

Contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. If You Have Been Seriously Injured in an Accident in Buffalo, New York or Throughout Western New York.

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Most personal injury claims center around allegations of negligence. To prove negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care, that duty was breached, the breach caused the plaintiff to suffer injury, and resulted in actual damages. However, a defendant’s assertion of an assumption of the risk defense alleges that he or she never owed the plaintiff a duty of care to begin with. By alleging an assumption of the risk, the defendant claims that the plaintiff recognized the risk of injury and accepted responsibility for any accident that might occur. If you, or a loved one, have suffered serious injuries because of another’s negligence, you deserve to be adequately compensated. Regrettably, if the defendant can prove that you were aware of the risk and still assumed it anyways, he or she might be able to avoid paying the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Our elite injury attorneys will use the most effective legal strategies to defeat any assumption of the risk defense, improve your chances of receiving the highest possible compensation for all of your injuries, and ensure that justice triumphs. With our help and insightful guidance, common pitfalls and complications can easily be averted. Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has exclusively handled personal injury cases. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has battled to obtain over $175 Million in verdicts and settlements for victims who were injured in Buffalo, New York, throughout New York State, and beyond. Although no amount of money can completely erase the harm caused by your injury, compensation can help reduce your financial burdens and pay for your damages. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team offers free lawsuit consultations. Our veteran team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (716) 839-3939 or by filling out our online consultation form. There is never a fee unless we WIN for you!

Categories of Assumption of Risk

Under New York law, there are 3 different types of assumption of risk, including:

1. Primary Assumption of Risk: The primary assumption of risk is the strongest of the assumption of the risk defenses. Fortunately for plaintiffs, it also has the narrowest application. This defense pertains to situations where the character of activity would be profoundly altered if the participant did not assume the risk. For example, the primary assumption of risk is relevant during organized sporting events. Courts often presume that athletes acknowledge the particular risks associated with a specific sport. Consequently, injured athletes are typically prevented from suing other players following on-the-field injuries. Aside from sporting events, this defense is seldomly applied.
2. Express Assumption of Risk: An express assumption of risk occurs when someone affirmatively acknowledges that they accept the risk of injury. This is frequently executed in writing. This waiver is common in various activities, such as white-water rafting, sky diving, and rock climbing. An express assumption is usually a standardized form that individuals sign waiving all claims if they suffer an injury.
3. Implied Assumption of Risk: An implied assumption of risk is also referred to as a secondary assumption of risk. Even if there was no written and signed express assumption of risk, it does not mean that defendant is prohibited from using an assumption of the risk defense. In practice, an implied assumption of risk arises in situations where it seems like the plaintiff voluntarily assumed the risk, notwithstanding the absence of a written waiver.

Generally, both primary and express assumptions of risk can completely bar the plaintiff’s recovery. However, plaintiffs are not completely barred from recovering compensation in cases where implied assumption of risk can be shown. When implied assumption arises, courts tend to apply a comparative fault standard to assess each party’s degree of fault. This allows the jury to award the plaintiff compensation for his or her injuries but decrease it by the percentage that they were at fault. Thus, a plaintiff might not recover the full value of their claim.

How to Effectively Combat Assumption of the Risk Defenses

Although courts usually presume that athletes recognize the risks associated with a particular sport, the primary assumption of risk defense can be overcome by demonstrating that the victim’s injuries could not have been reasonably anticipated. In other words, the injury that occurred was completely uncharacteristic of the sport—for example, a victim who suffered total paralysis from a tennis-related injury. Additionally, if another player acted unsportsmanlike or fouled the victim, our veteran attorneys could argue that the player’s actions were not part of the game. For instance, when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear off in their historic boxing match.

Under New York Law, agreements waiving a victim’s right to an injury claim are not always considered valid. In particular, any person or entity that requires payment for a recreational activity will presumably be disqualified from raising an assumption of risk defense. For example, gyms’ mandatory waivers that members must sign before activating their memberships are often found to be invalid or improper. Courts can invalidate waivers depending on the wording and the type of injuries sustained. Nevertheless, whether or not a specific activity or establishment is barred from asserting an express assumption of risk defense is determined by the court. Additionally, defendants may still be held accountable for a victim’s injuries despite any liability waiver if they acted in a reckless, intentional, negligent manner.

Our highly experienced personal injury attorneys may be able to successfully challenge a defendant’s assumption of the risk defense to your personal injury claim. Retain the best of the best at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. for your highest likelihood of successfully beating the assumption of the risk as well as any other defenses. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated team will help ensure that you are in a position to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries. Call Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his elite team of injury lawyers today at (716) 839-3939 so that we can help you! We are available twenty-four hours per day and seven days per week.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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