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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Pennsylvania rule
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A quick definition of Pennsylvania rule:
The Pennsylvania rule is a legal principle that applies to tort cases. It states that if someone causes an injury while breaking a law, they must prove that their actions did not directly cause the injury. This rule was established in a court case called The Pennsylvania in 1874.
A more thorough explanation:
The Pennsylvania rule is a principle in tort law that states that if a person violates a statute while causing an injury, they have the burden of proving that the violation did not cause the injury.
For example, if a driver runs a red light and hits a pedestrian, the driver is in violation of a traffic statute. Under the Pennsylvania rule, the driver would have to prove that their violation of the statute did not cause the pedestrian's injuries.
The Pennsylvania rule was established in the case of The Pennsylvania, which was a U.S. Supreme Court case in 1874. The case involved a collision between two ships, and the court ruled that the ship that violated a navigation statute had the burden of proving that the violation did not cause the collision.