In this newly invented forum, there are good answers and bad ones. And for the most part, I beleive that we can all generally tell the difference.
But I'm sure that somewhere along the line, someone will ask a serious question (Medical, Ethical, Mental), receive the wrong advice, and ACT on it. If that person acts on the wrong advice and seriously harms someone or themselves, can the answerer be held accountable in any way? In any court of law?
2007-01-07 19:53:53 · 15 answers · asked by rishi_is_awake 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I know Yahoo can't be held liable, but can WE, the answerERS be held liable?
Recall: a woman successfully sued Mcdonalds when she spilled hot coffee on her own lap. The reason why it was allowed was because the cup didn't say ''HOT coffee" on it. But she must've at least held the cup for a few seconds before it spilled...
In America, you can sue someone for anything these days. Whose to say that Billy's mom won't sue Mandy for telling him to slit his wrists length-wise (as opposed to across) when he asked for suicide advice?
2007-01-07 20:24:32 · update #1
None of you have answered my question.
2007-01-07 20:27:02 · update #2
Nope, they covered their assets...
2007-01-07 20:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by ABBYsMom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No one should act on information you get from YA without getting a second opinion. This is just a fun forum and not to be taken seriously.
I will caveat that by saying, as in many Yahoo forums, there are people who become friends and trust each other. There are some people I would seriously take advice from on here.
In any respect, I can't see how anyone could sue an poster here nor should they want to.
2007-01-07 20:00:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This isn't an approved medical forum. If someone chooses to follow advice from strangers on a computer screen that's their responsibility and if they get hurt or sick because of what THEY decided to do then they have no right to blame someone else. If they want solid advice good sense says go to see a physician.
2007-01-07 20:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even without a disclaimer that would be such a frivolous lawsuit. It' would be so ridiculous for someone to blame someone else for their own decisions. That being said in the US, the moronic asker or plaintiff would win.
2007-01-07 20:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by Celebrate Life 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is a no cost site and if you read the by laws you will see that Yahoo accepts no liability for the wacky advice given and taken. It is mostly a lark anyway.
2007-01-07 20:00:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't see how. Yahoo wasn't born yesterday. Remember the I Agree / I dissagree disclaimer you had to click to sign up for this? Covered. You know what free advice is worth?
Nothin'.
Case dismissed :-)
2007-01-07 19:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by nvr10pts 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Morally, yes. Legally, no. The forum itself contains a disclaimer. Like those who choose to eat at McDonalds, you do so at your own risk.
2007-01-07 20:13:04 · answer #7 · answered by JohnnyO 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I bet they can. This is why we should all be very careful when we give advice. Especially in the area of health.
2007-01-07 20:43:22 · answer #8 · answered by mamadixie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no-the answerers are merely expressing an opinion, and the askers are in no way constrained to accept any answer. free advice is worth what you pay for it....
2007-01-07 20:02:12 · answer #9 · answered by cryllie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NOPE tells you so at the bottom of the page and there is a link for more info
2007-01-07 19:56:16 · answer #10 · answered by .. 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. I believe that if you read the conditions of Yahoo Answers you would find that they state that they hold no accountability.
2007-01-07 19:56:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋