Which doctrine states government cannot be held liable for negligence?

• A. Good Samaritan Law
• B. Tort
• C. Statute of Limitations
• D. Sovereign Immunity

Answer: (D)

Sovereign immunity states that the government cannot be held liable for negligence without its consent. This doctrine reflects the idea that public authorities are protected from tort lawsuits unless a statute or regulation waives that immunity. In practice, government entities—like public schools, parks, or public hospitals—can only be sued for negligence if there’s a specific law that allows it or certain claims acts provide a waiver.

Good Samaritan Law protects individuals who voluntarily come to another’s aid from liability in many situations; it does not address holding the government liable. Tort is the broad category of civil wrongs, not a doctrine about governmental liability. A Statute of Limitations sets deadlines for filing claims, not whether the government can be sued. So the doctrine described is sovereign immunity.