Chapter 7: Torts
- Page ID
- 126961
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- Define torts.
- Understand intentional torts, and how to defend against an accusation of one.
- Explore negligence.
- Explain strict liability and how product liability affects manufacturers.
Chapter Outline
- 7.1: Introduction
- This page explains torts as civil wrongs that differ from contracts and crimes, detailing their categories (intentional torts, negligence, strict liability) and the varying standards of proof in civil versus criminal cases. It highlights that not all injuries lead to legal claims, but only serious injuries or behaviors recognized by law.
- 7.2: Intentional Torts
- This page covers intentional torts, including classifications that protect personal freedoms, property rights, economic relations, and wrongful communications. Celebrities must demonstrate "actual malice" to succeed in defamation cases. Privacy invasions are outlined through four forms, and fraud involves intentional misrepresentation, which differs from puffery. Each tort type has specific criteria regarding intent and harm, emphasizing the protection of individual rights and prevention of harm.
- 7.3: Negligence
- This page covers negligence, defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care leading to injury. A successful claim requires proving duty of care, breach, actual and proximate causation, and damages. Defenses such as assumption of risk and comparative negligence may reduce liability, though assumptions don't apply if the defendant caused the risk. Comparative negligence impacts compensatory damages based on plaintiff fault but does not affect punitive damages, which aim to deter misconduct.
- 7.4: Strict Liability
- This page explains various types of torts: intentional torts involve intent to harm, negligence torts arise from carelessness, and strict liability applies regardless of intent in certain cases. It also covers product liability, which includes injuries from design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn. Defenses to tort claims include requirements for commercial sellers, assumption of risk, product misuse, and the commonly known danger doctrine.
- 7.5: Concluding Thoughts
- This page discusses the impact of tort law on businesses, emphasizing their duty to prevent harm to employees and consumers. It highlights the consequences of strict liability for product defects and negligence, which involves five key elements. Intentional torts result from deliberate harm, while strict liability pertains to ultrahazardous activities and dangerous products, with potential defenses including assumption of risk and misuse.