Legal Opinion
Furr v. Spring Grove State Hospital
Court of Special Appeals of Maryland
Decided January 7, 1983No. 646, September Term, 1982PublishedCited by 28 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtLowe, J.
According to the Book of Genesis, God did not answer Cain’s evasive question: "Am I my brother’s keeper?”. From that day to this man has individually sought to assume a moral responsibility to effect that purpose, but has consistently shied away from legally imposing such a responsibility. In Pope v. State, 284 Md. 309, 324-325 (1979), the Court of Appeals pointed out that:
"Under the present state of our law, a person has no legal obligation to care for or look after the welfare of a stranger, adult or child.
'Generally one has no legal duty to aid another person in peril, even when that aid…
2Cases cited10 opinions
- Palsgraf v. Long Island R.R. Co.New York Court of Appeals · 1928
- Thompson v. County of AlamedaCalifornia Supreme Court · 1980
- Scott v. WatsonCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1976
- Pope v. StateCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1979
- James R. Spencer v. General Hospital of the District of ColumbiaCourt of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 1969
5 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by28 opinions
- Kirk v. Michael Reese Hospital & Medical CenterIllinois Supreme Court · 1987
- Hartford Insurance v. Manor Inn of Bethesda, Inc.Court of Appeals of Maryland · 1994
- Valentine v. on Target, Inc.Court of Appeals of Maryland · 1999
- B.N. v. K.KCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1988
- Lamb v. HopkinsCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 1985
23 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.