We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Res Ipsa Loquitur?

By Christy Bieber
Updated: Feb 07, 2024
Views: 13,974
Share

Res ipsa loquitur is a Latin phrase meaning "the thing speaks for itself." It is a method of proving that a tort occurred in certain types of civil trials. In other words, it permits a plaintiff in certain tort cases to simply invoke res ipsa loquitur to prove the negligence element of a tort cause of action.

Typically, when a plaintiff sues a defendant for a tort, the plaintiff must prove several elements of a case. First, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant intentionally or negligently caused the injuries to occur. Second, the plaintiff must prove that he actually suffered damage as a result of the defendant's actions.

When res ipsa loquitur is invoked, the doctrine permits the plaintiff to win his case without explicitly proving negligence. It, essentially, is a doctrine that says that the action that caused the injury was so obviously negligent that the action speaks for itself and no additional proof is required. If this doctrine applies and is accepted by the court, the plaintiff only has to prove that he incurred damages as a result of the defendant's actions in order to win the case.

Res ipsa loquitur is an acceptable form of proof in the United States, Hong Kong and Scotland. It is known by different names in different countries. Canada has essentially overruled the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor. England uses the doctrine to suggest a strong presumption in favor of assuming negligence, but it cannot be conclusive evidence.

This doctrine is appropriate when an injury-causing action meets four separate criteria. If these four criteria apply, it can be invoked to demonstrate that the action was negligent. This means the plaintiff will be able to win her case without explicitly proving negligence.

The four criteria for res ipsa loquitur to apply are that: the accident would not occur unless negligence was involved; in the particular situation it did not occur without negligence involved; the action or event was caused by an instrument that was under the defendant's exclusive control; and the accident or injury was not in any way caused or contributed to by the plaintiff in the case. This means that if the plaintiff was contributorily negligent, or also behaved in some way that led to the accident, the plaintiff cannot invoke res ipsa loquitur. It also means that whatever harmed the plaintiff must have been exclusively managed or controlled by the defendant and no other individual.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Misscoco — On Jul 24, 2011

A surgical nurse told me about a medical negligence case that was able to use the res ipsa loquitur principle. A doctor performed a hysterectomy on a woman, and a major nerve was injured and caused paralysis of her left arm.

To show medical negligence and use res ipsa loquitur, she needed expert medical testimony to show that her injury was likely caused by negligence. She would need to show that the surgeon was under control of the surgery. And then she would need to show that she had no part in the injury - easy to show if the person is unconscious.

Unless the medical case is very complicated, using res ipsa loquitur is pretty straight forward. The important thing is to get a good medical expert to testify for you.

By Bertie68 — On Jul 23, 2011

I was involved in an injury traffic accident a few years ago. I was injured and it was clearly the fault of the other driver.

I hired a lawyer and after about two years, the case was settled and I was paid a sum by the defendant's insurance company.

If it hadn't settled and we went to civil trial, I think that it would have followed the res-ipsa-loquitur (the claim speaks for itself) doctrine.

In my case, the defendant was negligent and I had no part in the negligence. The accident and injury was caused by a car, which the defendant had control of. My lawyer wouldn't have to have proven negligence, since the negligence by the defendant was so obvious.

Court costs are so high, I'm sure I came out ahead by settling the case.

Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-res-ipsa-loquitur.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.