special duty doctrine

noun

: an exception to the public duty doctrine that imposes liability for injury on a government entity when there is a special duty owed to the plaintiff but not to the public at large

called also special duty exception

Note: The special duty doctrine applies when the duty owed to the plaintiff arises by statute or when the plaintiff has justifiably come to rely on the government's assumption of that duty.

Dictionary Entries Near special duty doctrine

Cite this Entry

“Special duty doctrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/special%20duty%20doctrine. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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