Question

Lita, a brain surgeon, committed a negligent act when she ran a red light and injured Joey, a pedestrian crossing the street. Joey was a mentally impaired adult. Which of the following is correct?

a) Lita is not liable for negligence because Joey was impaired.
b) Lita is liable for negligence regardless of Joey's mental impairment.
c) Joey's mental impairment will reduce Lita's liability for negligence.
d) Lita is not liable because running a red light is not a negligent act.

Answer 1

Lita is liable for negligence regardless of Joey's mental impairment.

The correct answer is b

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b) Lita is liable for negligence regardless of Joey's mental impairment. In this scenario, Lita committed a negligent act by running a red light. Negligence is based on the concept of duty and breach of duty. Lita had a duty to follow traffic laws and avoid causing harm to others. By running a red light, she breached that duty and caused injury to Joey.

Joey's mental impairment does not absolve Lita of her liability for negligence. The law does not generally take a person's mental condition into consideration when determining liability for negligence. Lita's actions, running a red light, were objectively negligent and caused harm to Joey, who was a pedestrian crossing the street.

Therefore, regardless of Joey's mental impairment, Lita is still liable for negligence in this case.

The correct answer is b