Q: I am caring for my mother in law with dementia. If she causes injury to another can I be held liable?
I am not a legal guardian, etc. just helping out. I've disabled her van to keep her from driving, but she says she is going to ride her wheelchair to town-multiple miles on a state highway. I am worried that if someone else is injured while she does something stupid like that, can I be held liable?
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A: Based upon the facts as you have presented them, I do not see a basis for direct liability, or for what is known as "vicarious liability", such as if you had a child, he used your car with your permission, and injured someone. Thus, I believe that there is no legal responsibility on your part under your fact pattern.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
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