last clear chance doctrine (Delaware) · Go Syfert
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last clear chance doctrine in Delaware

9 Delaware opinions name it 2 courts 1938–2018 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Delaware courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (9)

CaseFollowedCited
Lord v. Pooregreen
del · 1954 · cited in 4 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1956–1995
2 sentences

1974Ill Invoking the last clear chance doctrine, McGraw v. Corrin, Del.Supr., 303 A.2d 641 (1973); Lord v. Poore, Del.Supr., 9 Terry 595 , 108 A.2d 366 (1954); Island Express v. Frederick, Del.Supr., 5 W.W.Harr. 569 , 171 A. 181 (1934), plaintiff argues also that any negligence on decedent’s part was a remote and not a proximate cause of his death.

1974Ill Invoking the last clear chance doctrine, McGraw v. Corrin, Del.Supr., 303 A.2d 641 (1973); Lord v. Poore, Del.Supr., 9 Terry 595 , 108 A.2d 366 (1954); Island Express v. Frederick, Del.Supr., 5 W.W.Harr. 569 , 171 A. 181 (1934), plaintiff argues also that any negligence on decedent’s part was a remote and not a proximate cause of his death.

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Island Express, Inc. v. Frederickgreen
del · 1934 · cited in 3 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1947–1995
2 sentences

1974Ill Invoking the last clear chance doctrine, McGraw v. Corrin, Del.Supr., 303 A.2d 641 (1973); Lord v. Poore, Del.Supr., 9 Terry 595 , 108 A.2d 366 (1954); Island Express v. Frederick, Del.Supr., 5 W.W.Harr. 569 , 171 A. 181 (1934), plaintiff argues also that any negligence on decedent’s part was a remote and not a proximate cause of his death.

1974Ill Invoking the last clear chance doctrine, McGraw v. Corrin, Del.Supr., 303 A.2d 641 (1973); Lord v. Poore, Del.Supr., 9 Terry 595 , 108 A.2d 366 (1954); Island Express v. Frederick, Del.Supr., 5 W.W.Harr. 569 , 171 A. 181 (1934), plaintiff argues also that any negligence on decedent’s part was a remote and not a proximate cause of his death.

13
Dykeman v. Engelbrechtgreen
arizctapp · 1990 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See Dykeman v. Engelbrecht, Ct.App., 166 Ariz. 398 , 803 P.2d 119, 122 (1990).

1995See Dykeman v. Engelbrecht, Ct.App., 166 Ariz. 398 , 803 P.2d 119, 122 (1990).

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Danculovich v. Browngreen
wyo · 1979 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

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Bokhoven v. Klinkergreen
iowa · 1991 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

11
Chudnofsky v. Edwardsgreen
del · 1965 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
1 sentence

1995Culver, 588 A.2d at 1097 (citing Chudnofsky v. Edwards, Del.Supr., 208 A.2d 516, 518 (1965)).

11
Cushman v. Perkinsgreen
me · 1968 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

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Ratlief v. Yokumgreen
wva · 1981 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

11
Davies v. Butlergreen
nev · 1979 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

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Distinguished, questioned or overruled (1)

CaseNegativeCited
Vlach v. Wymangreen
sd · 1960 · cited in 1 Delaware opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995
2 sentences

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

1995See, e.g., Bokhoven v. Klinker, Iowa Supr., 474 N.W.2d 553, 556 (1991) (“[T]he doctrine of last clear chance, even when considered a part of proximate cause, has no further function to perform where contributory negligence is no longer a complete bar to plaintiffs recovery”); Ratlief v. Yokum, 167 W.Va. 779 , 280 S.E.2d 584, 589 (1981) (“[B]e-cause of the doctrine’s interrelationship with the issue of proximate cause ... the better course would be to abolish the use of the last clear chance for the plaintiff’); Davies v. Butler, 95 Nev. 763 , 602 P.2d 605, 613 (1979) (holding that last clear c

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Also cited on this issue (14)

CaseCitedYears
Ciociola v. Delaware Coca-Cola Bottling Company green
del · 1961
1 sentence

2018Ch. 2014) (noting that the General Assembly enacted the Delaware Uniform Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act in order to abolish "the common law ban on contribution" among joint tortfeasors). 172 A.2d 252 (Del. 1961).

12018–2018
Lagola v. Thomas green
del · 2005
1 sentence

2018Francis de Sales , 15 A.3d 1247 , 1257 (Del. 2011) (noting that the General Assembly "made a policy decision to set gross negligence as the floor-not the ceiling-for invoking [the Child Victim's Act's] applicability"); Laws v. Webb , 658 A.2d 1000 , 1006 (Del. 1995) (noting that the General Assembly adopted comparative negligence to abolish the " 'all or nothing' common law rule of contributory negligence," and, thus, the Court "perceive[ed] no logical basis to retain the 'all or nothing' doctrine of last clear chance"), overruled on other grounds by Lagola v. Thomas , 867 A.2d 891 , 892 (Del.

12018–2018
Laws v. Webb green
del · 1995
1 sentence

2018Francis de Sales , 15 A.3d 1247 , 1257 (Del. 2011) (noting that the General Assembly "made a policy decision to set gross negligence as the floor-not the ceiling-for invoking [the Child Victim's Act's] applicability"); Laws v. Webb , 658 A.2d 1000 , 1006 (Del. 1995) (noting that the General Assembly adopted comparative negligence to abolish the " 'all or nothing' common law rule of contributory negligence," and, thus, the Court "perceive[ed] no logical basis to retain the 'all or nothing' doctrine of last clear chance"), overruled on other grounds by Lagola v. Thomas , 867 A.2d 891 , 892 (Del.

12018–2018
Sheehan v. Oblates of St. Francis de Sales green
del · 2011
1 sentence

2018Francis de Sales , 15 A.3d 1247 , 1257 (Del. 2011) (noting that the General Assembly "made a policy decision to set gross negligence as the floor-not the ceiling-for invoking [the Child Victim's Act's] applicability"); Laws v. Webb , 658 A.2d 1000 , 1006 (Del. 1995) (noting that the General Assembly adopted comparative negligence to abolish the " 'all or nothing' common law rule of contributory negligence," and, thus, the Court "perceive[ed] no logical basis to retain the 'all or nothing' doctrine of last clear chance"), overruled on other grounds by Lagola v. Thomas , 867 A.2d 891 , 892 (Del.

12018–2018
In re Rural/Metro Corporation Stockholders Litigation green
delch · 2014
1 sentence

2018Francis de Sales , 15 A.3d 1247 , 1257 (Del. 2011) (noting that the General Assembly "made a policy decision to set gross negligence as the floor-not the ceiling-for invoking [the Child Victim's Act's] applicability"); Laws v. Webb , 658 A.2d 1000 , 1006 (Del. 1995) (noting that the General Assembly adopted comparative negligence to abolish the " 'all or nothing' common law rule of contributory negligence," and, thus, the Court "perceive[ed] no logical basis to retain the 'all or nothing' doctrine of last clear chance"), overruled on other grounds by Lagola v. Thomas , 867 A.2d 891 , 892 (Del.

12018–2018
Koutoufaris v. Dick green
del · 1992
1 sentence

1995Id.

11995–1995
Baker v. Reid green
del · 1947
1 sentence

1995Frederick, 171 A. at 187 ; Poore, 108 A.2d at 369 ; Baker, 57 A.2d at 108 .

11995–1995
Culver v. Bennett green
del · 1991
1 sentence

1995Culver, 588 A.2d at 1097 (citing Chudnofsky v. Edwards, Del.Supr., 208 A.2d 516, 518 (1965)).

11995–1995
McGraw v. Corrin green
del · 1973
1 sentence

1974Ill Invoking the last clear chance doctrine, McGraw v. Corrin, Del.Supr., 303 A.2d 641 (1973); Lord v. Poore, Del.Supr., 9 Terry 595 , 108 A.2d 366 (1954); Island Express v. Frederick, Del.Supr., 5 W.W.Harr. 569 , 171 A. 181 (1934), plaintiff argues also that any negligence on decedent’s part was a remote and not a proximate cause of his death.

11974–1974
Rumble v. Lingo green
delsuperct · 1958
1 sentence

1961The Rumble case then lays down the following principle ( 147 A. 2d at page 513 ): “The fact that a plaintiff operator does enter an intersection and is involved in a collision within the danger area thereof with a motor vehicle travelling in the favored traffic pattern raises a conclusive presumption of contributory negligence on his part except (1) where the evidence discloses the occurrence of an unforseeable circumstance which is beyond the control of the operator, or (2) where the plaintiff has pleaded the last clear chance doctrine and the evidence is sufficient to admit the same.” Now, t

11961–1961
Kinderavich v. Palmer green
conn · 1940
2 sentences

1952Facts must, of course, be alleged to bring a plaintiff within the protection of the doctrine. * * ""; and where the last chance doctrine is invoked, the facts alleged must show that the plaintiff’s negligence was merely a remote condition. * * This rule was in accord with the requirement generally prevailing elsewhere to the effect that, in order to make the last clear chance doctrine an issue in the case, facts must be stated in the complaint which “fairly apprise the trial court and defendant that it will be invoked and afford a basis for a conclusion of liability based upon it.” Kinderavich

1952Facts must, of course, be alleged to bring a plaintiff within the protection of the doctrine. * * ""; and where the last chance doctrine is invoked, the facts alleged must show that the plaintiff’s negligence was merely a remote condition. * * This rule was in accord with the requirement generally prevailing elsewhere to the effect that, in order to make the last clear chance doctrine an issue in the case, facts must be stated in the complaint which “fairly apprise the trial court and defendant that it will be invoked and afford a basis for a conclusion of liability based upon it.” Kinderavich

11952–1952
Buck, Admr. v. Rutland R.R. Co. neutral
vt · 1928
2 sentences

1952Co., 101 Vt. 282 , 143 A. 297 ; 65 C.

1952Co., 101 Vt. 282 , 143 A. 297 ; 65 C.

11952–1952
Leftridge v. City of Seattle green
wash · 1924
2 sentences

1947Harr. 569, 171 A. 181 ; Leftridge v. City of Seattle, 130 Wash. 541 , 228 P. 302 ; 2 Restatement of Torts, §§ 479, 480; Comment Note. — Doctrine of last clear chance, 92 A.L.R. 47 ; Fleming James, Jr., Last Clear Chance: a Transitional Doctrine, 47 Yale L.

1947Harr. 569, 171 A. 181 ; Leftridge v. City of Seattle, 130 Wash. 541 , 228 P. 302 ; 2 Restatement of Torts, §§ 479, 480; Comment Note. — Doctrine of last clear chance, 92 A.L.R. 47 ; Fleming James, Jr., Last Clear Chance: a Transitional Doctrine, 47 Yale L.

11947–1947
Le Gates v. Ennis neutral
delsuperct · 1935
1 sentence

1938Harr. (37 Del.) 31, 180 A. 325 ; or that the basis of the plaintiff’s claim is the last clear chance doctrine.

11938–1938

Where else courts name it

LA 211 (1911–2024) CA 198 (1913–2013) NC 88 (1900–2024) KY 72 (1929–1985) WA 67 (1908–1975) FL 52 (1937–2013) VA 50 (1911–2018) MD 47 (1921–2013) IN 45 (1906–2020) GA 39 (1947–2012) NE 32 (1934–2000) CT 28 (1919–1978) AZ 28 (1946–2001) IA 26 (1916–1994) KS 26 (1911–1976) WV 24 (1928–2001) MI 23 (1929–1995) NY 22 (1930–1997) ID 20 (1928–1990) OK 19 (1908–1978) DC 19 (1953–2016) CO 17 (1914–1973) TN 16 (1925–2017) SC 15 (1951–2006) MO 14 (1906–2002) NM 13 (1937–1993) MT 13 (1919–1996) UT 12 (1919–1971) WY 11 (1939–1985) OR 10 (1914–1972) DE 9 (1938–2018) VT 9 (1915–1980) AR 7 (1933–1961) SD 7 (1941–1983) OH 7 (1919–2011) TX 7 (1944–2016) NV 6 (1915–1979) MA 6 (1939–1992) ME 5 (1939–1976) RI 5 (1937–1993) NJ 4 (1955–1985) HI 4 (1926–2011) IL 3 (1966–1987) AL 3 (1938–1994) ND 3 (1936–1973) MS 3 (1934–1962) NH 2 (1963–1970) PR 2 (1931–1948)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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