FRE · Rule 409
FRE Rule 409 addresses the admissibility of evidence concerning offers to pay medical expenses as a means of liability. Its aim is to encourage individuals to assist injured parties without the fear of creating liability.
Source: FRE Rule 409
Evidence of furnishing or offering or promising to pay medical, hospital, or similar expenses resulting from an injury is not admissible to prove liability for the injury.
FRE Rule 409 states that if someone offers to pay for another person's medical expenses related to an injury, that offer cannot be used against them in court to prove they are responsible for the injury. This rule encourages kindness by allowing individuals to help others without the worry of it being seen as an admission of guilt.
The purpose of FRE Rule 409 is to promote humanitarian impulses by allowing individuals to provide assistance without the concern that their acts of kindness may be interpreted as an admission of liability. It seeks to reduce litigation by encouraging offers of help.
The general rule prohibits the admissibility of any offers or promises to pay for medical expenses as evidence of liability in cases of injury.
In this case, the court reinforced the idea that offers to pay medical expenses typically should not be introduced as evidence against the offeror demonstrating liability for an injury.
FRE Rule 409 may appear on exams in the context of discussing the admissibility of evidence relating to offers of payment for medical expenses. Be sure to understand its implications for liability and the rationale behind the rule.