What does sovereign immunity protect individuals from?

• A. Being held liable for intentional acts
• B. Being sued for negligence while performing official duties
• C. Being charged for breaches of contract
• D. Being responsible for ethical violations

Answer: (B)

Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that provides protection to government entities and officials from being sued without their consent. It primarily protects individuals, such as government employees or officials, from being held liable for negligence while performing their official duties. This means that when they carry out their responsibilities as part of governmental functions, they cannot be sued for actions taken that may lead to unintentional harm, as long as those actions are within the scope of their official duties.

In the context of this question, the correct answer highlights the specific aspect of sovereign immunity relevant to negligence claims. While sovereign immunity may not absolve individuals from liability for intentional acts or breaches of contract, its main role is to insulate government employees from civil lawsuits related to their performance of official tasks, thereby allowing them to perform their duties without the constant fear of litigation.