What principle is expressed by "res ipsa loquitur"?

The principle expressed by "res ipsa loquitur" is that the situation itself provides sufficient evidence of negligence, which allows the court to assume that the defendant is at fault without the injured party needing to provide direct evidence of the negligent act. This legal doctrine is used in cases where the circumstances clearly indicate that an accident occurred due to a party's lack of care, and it is often applied in cases involving injuries that occur under conditions that would typically imply negligence, such as medical malpractice or accidents involving vehicles.

This principle is particularly important because it shifts the burden of proof. The injured party does not need to prove what the defendant did wrong; instead, the very nature of the incident implies that negligence took place. Therefore, in scenarios where events occur that would not happen without negligence, the court can infer that the responsible party failed in their duty of care.

This understanding of "res ipsa loquitur" illustrates its role in facilitating justice in situations where direct evidence may be lacking but the circumstances are compelling enough to suggest a breach of duty has occurred.