Opinion ID: 195510
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Assumption of the Risk in Rhode Island

Text: 6 In Rhode Island, the doctrine of assumption of the risk is an affirmative defense which operates to absolve a defendant of liability for creating a risk of harm to a plaintiff. Kennedy v. Providence Hockey Club, Inc., 376 A.2d 329, 333 (1977). To establish this defense, a defendant must show that plaintiff knew of the existence of a danger, appreciated its unreasonable character, and then voluntarily exposed himself to it. Drew v. Wall, 495 A.2d 229, 231 (R.I.1985). The standard for determining whether a plaintiff knew of and voluntarily encountered a risk is subjective, and is keyed to what the particular plaintiff in fact saw, knew, understood and appreciated. Kennedy, 376 A.2d at 332; Drew, 495 A.2d at 231-32. While the question of whether a plaintiff assumed the risk is usually a question for the trier of fact to decide, if the facts suggest only one reasonable inference, the issue becomes one of law, and may be decided by the trial court on summary judgment. Id. at 231; Rickey v. Boden, 421 A.2d 539, 543 (R.I.1980). 7 Traditionally, assumption of the risk existed as a defense to negligence actions, operating to terminate the duty defendant owed to plaintiff. Kennedy, 376 A.2d at 332-33. In a diversity case interpreting Rhode Island law, we held that assumption of the risk is a viable defense to products liability cases. Turcotte v. Ford Motor Co., 494 F.2d 173, 183 (1st Cir.1974). The Rhode Island Supreme Court later endorsed this view. Mignone v. Fieldcrest Mills, 556 A.2d 35, 41 (R.I.1989) (citing Turcotte ).