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Asked by: Henry Jakovets
business and finance bankruptcyIs assumption of risk an affirmative defense?
Similarly one may ask, what is the assumption of risk defense?
Assumption of risk is a defense in the law of torts, which bars or reduces a plaintiff's right to recovery against a negligent tortfeasor if the defendant can demonstrate that the plaintiff voluntarily and knowingly assumed the risks at issue inherent to the dangerous activity in which the plaintiff was participating
Subsequently, question is, what are the three elements to the assumption of risk?
In order to use the assumption of risk defense successfully, the defendant must demonstrate the following:
- The plaintiff had actual knowledge of the risk involved; and.
- The plaintiff voluntarily accepted the risk, either expressly through agreement or implied by their words or conduct.
“Assumption of Risk” is a legal theory that basically means a person knew a situation could be dangerous but voluntarily entered the situation anyway, knowing the risks. For instance, when you go to a baseball game, you know there is a risk of being hit by a foul ball.