Legal Definitions - Subsequent Remedial Measures

Definition: Subsequent remedial measures refer to repairs or changes made after an accident has occurred that could have prevented the accident from happening. Although they cannot be used to prove a party's wrongdoing or culpable conduct, evidence of subsequent remedial measures can be admissible for other relevant purposes, such as proving ownership or control.

Example: A company's employee slips and falls on a wet floor in the workplace. After the accident, the company installs non-slip mats and puts up warning signs to prevent future accidents. If the employee sues the company for negligence, evidence of the subsequent remedial measures taken by the company cannot be used to prove that the company was at fault for the initial accident. However, the evidence can be admissible to show that the company took steps to prevent future accidents and was aware of the potential danger.

Explanation: The example illustrates how subsequent remedial measures can be used as evidence in a legal case. In this case, the evidence is not used to prove fault but to show that the company took steps to prevent future accidents. This is important because it can help establish that the company was aware of the potential danger and took reasonable steps to address it.