Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Personal Injury: Can You Sue an Ex for an STD?
A governing legal principle in our society is that we have a duty to avoid causing an unreasonable risk of harm to others. In plain English this means "don't do something which you know will hurt someone." In most states this duty extends to sexual partners. A partner who knows or should have known that they are infected with a sexually transmitted disease is increasingly being held liable for transmitting the disease to an unknowing partner. This includes herpes, AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts and crabs.
Prevalence of STDs/HIV
In the latest figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control, over 1.1 million people in the US are HIV positive and over 19 million people in the US per year are infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Because HIV and STDs are mainly spread through sexual activity, new infections are generally preventable through personal choices. Because of this, many states have passed laws requiring persons who are HIV positive or have an STD to either refrain from sex or to inform their partners prior to sexual activity.
Some states require the plaintiff prove that the defendant intentionally exposed them to the disease in order for liability to attach. In these states the plaintiff usually must show that the defendant knew or should have known they were positive and did not inform the plaintiff before having sex. Proving that the defendant knew they had an STD may be shown by a positive test, medical history regarding symptoms, or a current outbreak of symptoms. Usage of a condom may be a determining factor in these cases regarding whether someone should be held liable.
Some states only require a showing that the defendant was negligent in transmitting an STD, whether they intentionally exposed their partner to it or not. Rather, the plaintiff may only have to prove that the defendant is HIV positive or has an STD and engaged in activities that enhanced the likelihood they would transmit the disease, such as promiscuous sex or drug use.
Consensual Sex ... Bar Liability?
Some have argued that by engaging in consensual sex, the plaintiff may have assumed the risk of contracting an STD, or should otherwise be barred from suing their partner for acquiring the STD. However, some courts have also held that sex can not be deemed consensual sex when one person has an STD and doesn't inform their partner of their status because the plaintiff would never have had sexual contact with the defendant if the plaintiff had known of the defendant's condition.
The court cases regarding liability for transmitting an STD are not limited to sexual activity. In a case involving a wrestler who had herpes sores on his skin the New York Court of Appeals ruled that persons infected with herpes must avoid skin to skin contact with anyone, not just sexual partners, when they have an outbreak.
Though most states allow a person who contracted an STD to bring a court action against the responsible party, there is no nationwide rule about sexually transmitted diseases. Many states have criminal statutes specifically covering the negligent or intentional transmission of HIV, but only a few states have statutes specifically listing STDs. Thus, a lawsuit brought because of herpes, chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea is typically brought as a personal injury action.
Damages are available in most states but these cases may be hard to prove. A case involving a sexually transmitted disease is not as simplified as a car accident or if A punches B. In those circumstances the parties know when and where the injury occurred and who caused it. In sexually transmitted disease cases, symptoms may not show up immediately, sometimes even years, and if there have been multiple sexual partners, for either party, proving who was responsible can be difficult.
For more information on sexually transmitted diseases, contact a personal injury attorney today.
The information on this page is meant to provide a general overview of the law. The laws in your state and/or city may deviate significantly from those described here. If you have specific questions related to your situation you should speak with a local attorney.
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