Act of God

Legal term for events outside human control

Act of God is a legal term used to describe events that are outside human control and cannot be foreseen or prevented. These events are typically natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other extreme weather conditions. The concept is often used in contract law and insurance to allocate risk and liability.

Definition

An act of God is an event that is caused solely by natural forces without any human intervention. It is an unforeseen and unavoidable event that could not have been prevented by any amount of foresight or care. In legal terms, an act of God is often used as a defense in cases where a party is accused of failing to fulfill a contractual obligation due to circumstances beyond their control.

Legal Implications

In the context of contract law, an act of God may relieve a party from liability if it can be shown that the event was truly unforeseeable and unavoidable. This is often referred to as a "force majeure" clause in contracts, which excuses parties from performing their contractual obligations due to extraordinary events.

In insurance, an act of God can affect coverage and claims. Insurance policies may include or exclude coverage for acts of God, depending on the type of policy and the specific terms and conditions. For example, standard homeowners insurance may not cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, which are considered acts of God.

Examples

Common examples of acts of God include:

• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Volcanic eruptions

These events are characterized by their unpredictability and the inability of humans to prevent them.

Case Studies

One notable case involving an act of God is the collapse of the Apollo Theatre in London in 2013. During a performance, part of the ceiling collapsed, injuring several people. The incident was attributed to heavy rainfall, which was considered an act of God, affecting the liability and insurance claims related to the event.

Related Concepts

• Force majeure
• Natural disaster
• Liability
• Risk management

Related pages

• Force majeure
• Natural disaster
• Insurance
• Contract law

Gallery

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  The Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse, attributed to an act of God.