Robinson v. Lindsay
Supreme Court of Washington
598 P.2d 392 (Wash. 1979)
Thirteen-year-old Billy Anderson (defendant) was driving a snowmobile owned by the Lindsay family (defendants) while towing eleven-year-old Kelly Robinson (plaintiff) on an inner tube when the snowmobile crashed, causing Robinson to lose full use of a thumb. At trial, the judge instructed the jury to use the standard of a reasonably careful child of Anderson's own age and experience, and the jury found for Anderson; Robinson challenged that instruction, arguing an adult standard should have applied instead, and the trial court agreed and ordered a new trial.
Whether an adult standard of care should be applied to a minor engaging in an inherently dangerous activity, such as operating a powerful motorized vehicle.