Opinion ID: 2330417
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Maine's Legislative Law to Date

Text: [¶ 26] In reviewing our social ideas as to where the loss should fall, Trusiani, 538 A.2d at 261 (quoting William L. Prosser, Palsgraf Revisited, 52 MICH. L. REV. 1, 15 (1953)), and before expanding the common law in an area of law that has been addressed in part by the Legislature, we will look to the Legislature to determine how it has addressed similar policy considerations. Cf. Gafner v. Down E. Cmty. Hosp., 1999 ME 130, ¶ 42, 735 A.2d 969, 979. [¶ 27] The Legislature has also sought a balance between addressing the danger of winter roads and limiting potentially extensive liability from snow and ice related accidents. In so doing, the Legislature has declared that towns are responsible for managing snow removal on state aid highways: Towns shall keep state aid highways cleared of snow during the winter season or such part of the year as the department may direct, so that they may be reasonably usable by motor vehicles. Snow on such state aid highways shall be removed to the outside edges of the shoulders of the road, and in a manner satisfactory to the department whose judgment shall be final. The towns shall sand the state aid highways to the satisfaction of the department, and in case the towns fail to sand the highways to the satisfaction of the department, the department shall be authorized to make arrangements for the proper sanding and the cost of such sanding done by the department shall be paid by the towns. 23 M.R.S. § 1003 (2006). [¶ 28] Balancing this responsibility, however, is the legislative determination that towns may not be held liable in money damages if collisions and other accidents still occur: The State or the town shall not be liable for accidents while the road surface is covered with snow or ice. 23 M.R.S. § 1005-A(1). Thus, the Legislature has concluded that liability must be limited because the assignment of risk related to winter weather could create boundless liability.