Chapter 19

DUTIES RELATING TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE AND HEALTH.

199. Responsibility of person who has charge of another.

It is the duty of every person having charge of another who is unable by reason of age, sickness, unsoundness of mind, detention or any other cause to withdraw himself or herself from such charge and who is unable to provide himself or herself with the necessaries of life, whether the charge is undertaken under a contract, or is imposed by law, or arises by reason of any act, whether lawful or unlawful, of the person who has such charge, to provide for that other person the necessaries of life; and he or she shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of the other person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.

200. Duty of head of family.

It is the duty of every person who, as head of a family, has charge of a child under the age of fourteen years, being a member of his or her household, to provide the necessaries of life for such child; and he or she shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of the child by reason of any omission to perform that duty, whether the child is helpless or not.

201. Duty of masters.

It is the duty of every person who, as master or mistress has contracted to provide necessary food, clothing or lodging for any servant or apprentice under the age of sixteen years to provide the same; and he or she shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of the servant or apprentice by reason of any omission to perform that duty.

202. Duty of persons doing dangerous acts.

It is the duty of every person who, except in a case of necessity, undertakes to administer surgical or medical treatment to any other person, or to do any other lawful act which is or may be dangerous to human life or health, to have reasonable skill and to use reasonable care in doing such act; and he or she shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of any person by reason of any omission to observe or perform that duty.

203. Duty of persons in charge of dangerous things.

It is the duty of every person who has in his or her charge or under his or her control anything, whether living or inanimate, and whether moving or stationary, of such a nature that in the absence of care or precaution in its use or management, the life, safety or health of any person may be endangered, to use reasonable care and take reasonable precautions to avoid such danger; and he or she shall be deemed to have caused any consequences which adversely affect the life or health of any person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.