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Simple English definitions for legal terms
governmental activity
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A quick definition of governmental activity:
Governmental activity: This refers to actions taken by government agencies that are required or allowed by law and are meant to benefit the public. For example, police officers and firefighters are usually considered to be performing governmental activities, even if they make mistakes. Generally, the government cannot be sued for harm caused by its governmental activities. This is different from activities that are more like a business, such as running a water or electric company, which are called proprietary functions and may be subject to lawsuits.
A more thorough explanation:
Governmental activity refers to the actions taken by a government agency that are authorized by law and carried out for the benefit of the public. This can include activities such as law enforcement, firefighting, and providing public utilities.
When a government agency engages in a governmental activity, they are generally immune from liability for any harm that may result from their actions. For example, if a police officer uses force to apprehend a suspect, they are protected from being sued for any injuries that the suspect may have sustained during the arrest.
However, if a government agency engages in a proprietary function, such as operating a business for profit, they may be held liable for any harm that results from their actions. For example, if a city operates a water park and a patron is injured on a faulty water slide, the city may be held liable for the patron's injuries.
Overall, the distinction between governmental and proprietary functions can be complex and may depend on the specific circumstances of each case.