Utah Code 78B-3-801. Cause of action for death or addiction caused by use or ingestion of illegal controlled substances — Damages
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(1) As used in this section, “substance” means any illegal controlled substance under Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances Act .
Terms Used In Utah Code 78B-3-801
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Guardian: includes a person who:(14)(a) qualifies as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated person pursuant to testamentary or court appointment; or(14)(b) is appointed by a court to manage the estate of a minor or incapacitated person. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
- Person: means :
(24)(a) an individual;(24)(b) an association;(24)(c) an institution;(24)(d) a corporation;(24)(e) a company;(24)(f) a trust;(24)(g) a limited liability company;(24)(h) a partnership;(24)(i) a political subdivision;(24)(j) a government office, department, division, bureau, or other body of government; and(24)(k) any other organization or entity. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5(2) A person is subject to a civil action by a person or an estate under Subsection(3) who:(2)(a) unlawfully provided to or administered to the deceased person or the addicted person any substance that caused or contributed to the person’s addiction or to the death of the deceased person; or(2)(b) unlawfully provided any substance to any person in the chain of transfer of the substance that connects directly to the person who subsequently provided or administered the illegal controlled substance to the addicted person or to the deceased person under Subsection(2)(a) .(3)(3)(a) A civil action for treble damages and punitive damages may be brought against any person under Subsection(2) by the estate of a person whose death was caused in whole or in part by ingestion or other exposure to any illegal controlled substance.(3)(b) A civil action for treble damages, punitive damages, and costs of addiction treatment or rehabilitation may be brought against any person under Subsection(2) by a person who has become or is addicted to any illegal controlled substance and the addiction was caused in whole or in part by ingestion of any illegal controlled substance.(4) The burden is on the estate or the addicted person to prove the causal connection between the death or addiction, any substances provided or administered to the deceased or addicted person, and the defendant.(5) This section does not establish liability of or create a cause of action regarding:(5)(a) a parent or guardian of a person younger than 18 years of age who acts in violation of this section, unless the parent or guardian acts in violation of this section; or(5)(b) a person who is licensed under Title 58, Chapter 17b, Pharmacy Practice Act, and who acts in accordance with the act. - Person: means :