A ‘special relationship’ arises when one party is in a position of dependency on another who has a corresponding duty to protect them. In the context of jurisprudence, this can involve relationships such as parent-child, teacher-student, or doctor-patient. It is characterized by trust, reliance, and control where the dependent party is vulnerable to risks that can be mitigated by the protective party.
For example: A lifeguard at a public pool has a special relationship with swimmers and therefore a duty to monitor their safety and respond to emergencies.