Legal Definitions - suffer

In legal contexts, the term "suffer" carries two distinct meanings, both important for understanding legal obligations and consequences.

• 1. To experience or undergo something negative:

  This usage refers to experiencing or sustaining physical injury, emotional distress, financial loss, or other forms of harm or damage.

  • Example: "After a data breach, the company *suffered* a significant loss of customer trust and a substantial financial penalty from regulators."

    Explanation: Here, "suffered" means the company experienced or underwent negative consequences—loss of trust and a financial penalty—as a result of the data breach.

• 2. To allow or permit an action or situation:

  This usage means to tolerate, permit, or allow something to happen, often by not taking steps to prevent it. It implies a passive allowance rather than active causation.

  • Example 1: "The landlord *suffered* the tenant to keep a pet in the apartment, despite a 'no pets' clause in the lease agreement, by not enforcing the rule."

    Explanation: In this scenario, the landlord permitted or allowed the tenant to have a pet by choosing not to act on the lease violation, rather than actively approving it in writing.

  • Example 2: "The city council was criticized for *suffering* the historic building to fall into disrepair, eventually leading to its collapse."

    Explanation: Here, "suffering" means the city council allowed or permitted the building's condition to deteriorate through inaction or neglect, rather than actively causing its collapse.