Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

What is the term for "the thing speaks for itself" when applied to the law of negligence?

1. Res ipsa loquitur

2. Pro bono

3. Habeas corpus

4. Ad hoc

The correct answer is: Res ipsa loquitur

The term that refers to the principle of "the thing speaks for itself" in the context of the law of negligence is indeed res ipsa loquitur. This legal doctrine is applied in situations where the circumstances of an accident imply negligence in the absence of direct evidence. It allows a presumption of negligence to be established based on the facts of the case, suggesting that the accident could not have occurred without someone’s negligence. In contrast, the other terms mentioned do not relate to negligence in the same way. Pro bono refers to professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment, typically to benefit the public good, primarily in legal contexts. Habeas corpus is a legal principle that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment, ensuring that a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. Ad hoc denotes something that is created or done for a particular purpose as necessary, often implying a temporary solution rather than a general principle. Thus, res ipsa loquitur specifically addresses the idea of negligence where the facts themselves provide a clear indication of wrongdoing.