Assumption of risk

A defense raised in personal injury lawsuits. Asserts that the plaintiff knew that a particular activity was dangerous and thus bears all responsibility for any injury that resulted.

In torts, an affirmative defense used by the defendant in anegligence suit claiming that plaintiff had knowledge of an obviously dangerouscondition or situation and yet voluntarily exposed himself to the hazardthereby relieving the defendant of legal responsibility for any resultinginjury. In contract law, the agreement by an employee to assume the risks ofordinary hazards arising out of his occupation.