Legal Definitions - vigilant

Vigilant describes a state of being actively watchful, attentive, and prepared to notice and respond to potential issues, risks, or dangers. It implies a proactive and careful awareness of one's surroundings or responsibilities, often with the goal of preventing harm or ensuring compliance.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• A company's cybersecurity team must remain vigilant against new types of malware and phishing attempts. They constantly monitor network activity, update security protocols, and educate employees about potential threats.

  This illustrates being vigilant because the team is continuously watchful and attentive to discover and avoid the danger of cyberattacks, proactively taking steps to protect the company's data and systems.

• During a complex surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist must be exceptionally vigilant, closely monitoring the patient's vital signs, reaction to medication, and overall condition second by second.

  This demonstrates being vigilant as the anesthesiologist is on high alert, cautious, and attentive to detect any subtle changes that could indicate a danger to the patient's health, allowing for immediate intervention.

• A landlord who owns several rental properties needs to be vigilant about maintaining the premises, regularly checking for potential hazards like faulty wiring, leaky pipes, or structural weaknesses, and addressing them promptly.

  This example shows being vigilant because the landlord is watchful and attentive to discover and avoid dangers that could lead to tenant injury, property damage, or legal liabilities, ensuring the safety and habitability of their properties.