Legal Definitions - lethal

Lethal describes something that is capable of causing death or is designed to cause death. It refers to an agent, condition, or action that is fatal.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• A highly concentrated industrial chemical, if accidentally released into a water supply, could be considered lethal to anyone who consumes it. This means the chemical possesses properties that would inevitably lead to death upon exposure.

• In a criminal trial, prosecutors might argue that a particular weapon, such as a sharp knife used in an attack, was a lethal instrument. This highlights that the weapon, by its nature and how it was used, was capable of inflicting fatal injuries.

• For individuals with severe allergies, exposure to even a tiny amount of a specific allergen, like peanuts, can trigger a lethal anaphylactic reaction if not treated immediately. This demonstrates how a seemingly innocuous substance can be deadly to certain susceptible individuals.