85. Is the boy likely to prevail?

D is correct. In order to determine if the boy is likely to prevail, we must first determine what duty of care was owed to him. The girl is only 13 years old. A majority of courts will hold that a child is required to conform to the standard of care a child of like age, education, intelligence, and experience. However, when a child engages in an activity that is normally one that only adults engage in, courts will hold that the child will be required to conform to the same standard of care as an adult in such an activity. Here, the girl was operating a high-speed motorboat: an adult activity. Therefore, she will be held to an adult standard of care and the boy will prevail.

A is incorrect. An assumption of the risk applies when the plaintiff knew of the risk and voluntarily assumed it. There is nothing in the facts here to suggest that the boy assumed the risk. Further, the boy has introduced uncontroverted evidence that the girl drove carelessly in such a way as to entangle the boy in the rope.

B is incorrect. As stated above, when children are engaged in an adult activity, courts will hold that they are required to conform to the same standard of care as an adult.

C is incorrect. This is an incorrect statement. Children of the girl's age should not have the capacity to operate motorboats.