Opinion ID: 1822581
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Contributory NegligenceObjective Standard

Text: ¶ 58. The mentally disabled plaintiff has the burden of establishing the two elements of (1) a special relationship; and (2) the foreseeability of a particular harm. If a special relationship did not exist or if the defendant caregiver could not have foreseen the particular risk of harm, then the general rules of negligence apply. The defendant may assert the affirmative defense of contributory negligence, with the plaintiff's duty of self-care measured under an objective standard of care. Even though the plaintiff may be mentally impaired, the defendant should not face an increased risk of liability if a special relationship did not exist or if the risk of harm was not foreseeable. The defendant's negligence, if any, should be judged by an ordinary standard of care and compared with the plaintiff's ordinary standard of self-care.