When people behave in such a way that exposes others to danger, they can be held legally responsible. In law, this type of behavior is called endangerment and it can be considered a crime. In this article, we’ll define “endangerment,” explain the different types of endangerment, offer examples, and show how it is connected to personal injury law.

Key Takeaways

• Endangerment is behavior that exposes others to harm or danger
• Endangerment can be intentional or unintentional
• Both intentional and unintentional endangerment can be considered crimes
• Types of endangerment include child endangerment, animal endangerment, and reckless endangerment
• If somebody else’s endangerment caused an injury to you, you can sue them for damages

What Is Endangerment?

In law, endangerment is the crime of exposing another to possible danger or harm. It can be either intentional or accidental. Both intentional and unintentional endangerment can be considered crimes. 

Examples of intentional endangerment include:

• Assault
• Battery
• Reckless driving

Unintentional endangerment is usually related to negligence, in which a person fails to act in a reasonable way, causing harm or loss to another party. Even though one may not have necessarily intended to cause harm, they can still put others in danger through careless or reckless actions. Examples of accidental endangerment include:

• Property owners failing to properly mark dangerous areas on their premises such as slippery floors
• Distracted driving 
• Medical malpractice such as making a mistake during surgery or prescribing the wrong medicine 

Types of Endangerment

There are several types of endangerment, including:

• Child endangerment - Placing a child in a potentially harmful situation through negligence or misconduct

• • Animal endangerment - Placing an animal in a potentially harmful situation through negligence or misconduct

• Reckless endangerment - Acting in a way that disregards consequences, creating imminent danger to the rights and/or safety of others

Examples of reckless endangerment include:

• Reckless driving
• Drag racing
• Discharging a firearm
• Throwing objects at moving cards
• Throwing objects off the roof of tall buildings

Endangerment in Personal Injury Law

If somebody else behaved in a way that qualifies as endangerment and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to sue them. You can seek compensation for a range of damages including lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. 

If you do want to sue somebody for endangerment, it is highly recommended to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. They will be able to help you navigate the entire legal process from beginning to end from filing the lawsuit to taking it to court. Ultimately, your lawyer will make their best effort to help you get the fairest possible compensation for your injuries. 

Sources

• https://www.huntsvilledefenselawyer.com/reckless-endangerment
• https://www.rendelmanlaw.com/areas-of-practice/reckless-endangerment/