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Simple English definitions for legal terms
three wicked sisters
Read a random definition: definitive sentence
A quick definition of three wicked sisters:
Term: Three Wicked Sisters
Definition: Three wicked sisters were three rules that were used by courts in the 19th century to deny workers who were injured on the job from getting compensation. These rules were called contributory negligence, the fellow-servant rule, and assumption of the risk. They made it very hard for workers to get help from their employers when they got hurt at work. The courts thought that workers should have known the risks of their jobs and that they were responsible for their own injuries. But later on, the courts realized that these rules were too harsh and started to change them.
A more thorough explanation:
Three Wicked Sisters: A term used to describe the three doctrines - contributory negligence, the fellow-servant rule, and assumption of the risk - that were used by courts in the 19th century to deny compensation to workers who were injured on the job.
During the 19th century, courts used three doctrines to deny compensation to workers who were injured on the job. These doctrines were:
- Contributory negligence: This doctrine stated that if the worker was partially responsible for their injury, they could not receive compensation.
- The fellow-servant rule: This doctrine stated that if the worker was injured by a fellow employee, they could not receive compensation from their employer.
- Assumption of the risk: This doctrine stated that if the worker knew the risks associated with their job, they could not receive compensation for any injuries they sustained.
These three doctrines were collectively known as the "three wicked sisters" because they made it very difficult for workers to receive compensation for their injuries.
For example, if a worker was injured on the job because they were not wearing the proper safety equipment, the court could use the contributory negligence doctrine to deny them compensation. Similarly, if a worker was injured by a fellow employee, the court could use the fellow-servant rule to deny them compensation. Finally, if a worker was injured while performing a task that they knew was dangerous, the court could use the assumption of the risk doctrine to deny them compensation.
These examples illustrate how the "three wicked sisters" made it difficult for workers to receive compensation for their injuries.