TORTS

EXAM TIP: Checklist for every torts question:

-Who is the plaintiff?
-Who is the efenant!"ho are the efenants? Who are the responsi#le parties?
-What is the plaintiff$s in%ury or in%uries?
-What le&al theory!theories can the plaintiff assert?
-Make sure that it is a torts question'
I' I(TE(TI)(A* T)+T,
A. Elements of Intentional Torts
-' Voluntary Act
a' .efinition:
T/E /A, T) E(0A0E I( A 1)*2(TA+3 ACT4C)(,CI)2, 5 WI**E.'


Example: If To6 pushes .irk into Priscilla an Priscilla sues .irk7 there is no lia#ility for an
intentional tort #ecause .irk i not en&a&e in any voluntary act'
Example: .ina7 urin& a suen epileptic sei8ure7 hits Poine9ter' While .ina i not inten
the har67 there is also no lia#ility #ecause there "as no voluntary act #y .ina'
:' Intent
a' ;or 6ost intentional torts7 intent is esta#lishe if the efenant either:
<-= .E,I+E. T/E C)(,E>2E(CE, )+ /A. T/E P2+P),E T) ?+I(0 A?)2T T/),E
C)(,E>2E(CE,'


<:= @(EW T/AT T/),E C)(,E>2E(CE, WE+E ,2?,TA(TIA**3 CE+TAI( T) )CC2+'



A' Causation
a' BB /A, T) P+)1E ,)ME CA2,A* C)((ECTI)( ?ETWEE( $, C)(.2CT 5 $, I(C2+3'



#' Pro9i6ate cause in intentional torts:
(!A I( I(TE(TI)(A* T)+T,4EXTE(.E. C)(,E>2E(CE, +2*E: I, *IA?*E W/ET/E+
;)+E,EEA?*E )+ ()T'



D' Harm
a' Varies based on te !ind of intentional tort.
#' "ays to establis arm in intentional torts:
<-= P+)1E T/E E*EME(T, ?A,I, T) +EC)1E+ ,I0(I;ICA(T .AMA0E,E


<:= P+)); ); ,PECI;IC I(C2+3


F' #o $ri%ile&e or 'efense
H($OTHETICA)
.ell sees his archrival Pratt "alkin& across the street' Althou&h .ell thinks it$s unlikely
he can thro" a stone that far7 .ell picks up a near#y stone an thro"s it at Pratt'
Has 'ell acted *it purpose+intent suc tat e may be found liable for tortious conduct,






H($OTHETICA)
.arla7 ue to #oreo67 ecies to shoot her ?? &un into a passin& co66uter train' ,he
oesn$t "ant to hurt anyone7 #ut kno"s that the trains at that hour "ill #e packe "ith
passen&ers' ,he shoots her &un at a full passen&er car passin& #y her7 hittin& Pla9'
Has 'arla acted *it intent suc tat se may be found liable for tortious conduct,






H($OTHETICA)
,i9-year-ol ?rian .ailey pulls a chair out fro6 "here he kno"s Mrs' 0arrett is sittin&'
If -rian !ne* tat it *as substantially certain tat tis *ould cause .rs. /arrett to fall to te
&round0 as e acted *it intent,






H($OTHETICA)
.el#ert is late for his Torts class' Without lookin& "here he is &oin&7 he runs out of the
li#rary an collies "ith Parker'
Has 'elbert acted *it intent,






-. -attery
-' A #attery arises "here:
I(TE(TI)(A* CA2,E, A /A+M )+ );;E(,I1E C)(TACT T) )+ ,)MET/I(0 C*),E*3
C)((ECTE. T) '


a' Ele6ents:
<-= I(TE(T


<:= /A+M;2* )+ );;E(,I1E C)(TACT


<A= WIT/ A PE+,)( )+ ,)MET/I(0 C*),E*3 C)((ECTE. T) /E+'


:' To esta#lish intent7 plaintiff has to sho" either:
a' T/E .E,I+E. T/E+E ?E C)(TACT )+


#' T/E @(EW T/AT C)(TACT WA, ,2?,TA(TIA**3 CE+TAI( T) +E,2*T ;+)M /E+
C)(.2CT'


c' ?e sure to istin&uish intent fro6 6otive'
E1A.$)E: Pete co6es into #ar revie" an sits ne9t to .a"n an says G6y neck is killin&
6e'H .a"n says that he has ecie to learn ho" to #eco6e a chiropractor an offers to
help' Pete refuses #ut .a"n &ra#s his neck an pulls' Whether Pete feels #etter or not7 it is
a #attery an .a"n ha intent'
' Transferred Intent
<-=






Example: .orkus thro" a rock at Xavier7 #ut the rock 6isses Xavier an hits Po6paor
instea' Po6paor sues .orkus7 an .orkus "oul #e lia#le #ecause he intene to
co66it a #attery on Xavier'
e' Incompetency
<-=




E1A.$)E: .olores shoots Patty #ecause she thinks Patty is /itler' .olores is lia#le for
#attery not "ithstanin& her insane elusion #ecause she ha purpose to cause
contact'
A' The har6ful or offensive contact ele6ent is satisfie if:




E1A.$)E: Punchin& Arnol ,ch"ar8ene&&er "oul #e enou&h to constitute #attery7 even if he is
not in%ure'
a' Any contact that "oul #e offensive to a reasona#le person is enou&h for #attery'
E1A.$)E: Prissy hates to #e touche an #elieves that "hen people touch her7 they are
tryin& to pass alien #ein&s into her #oy' .ale taps her on the shouler an asks her for the
ti6e' Prissy freaks out an sues .ale for #attery' .ale "as tryin& to touch her7 #ut it "as
not har6ful or offensive to a reasona#le person'
<-= If efenant kno"s the particular suscepti#ility of the plaintiff:



#' It is sufficient for a #attery if efenant causes a contact "ith so6ethin& close to plaintiff'
E1A.$)E: Workers at a "orkplace foun the coffee to #e increasin&ly unpleasant' They hi
ca6eras an foun out that a collea&ue "as urinatin& into the coffee urn' This "oul #e
#attery'
c' 2nlike assault7 plaintiff nee not #e a"are of the contact'
Example: If Patsy falls asleep an "hile she is asleep7 ?arney kisses her on the forehea' Patsy
fins out the ne9t ay an sues for #attery' ,he "oul #e a#le to recover'
D' $ri%ile&es and 'efenses
a'


C. Assault
-' An assault arises "here:




a' Ele6ents:
<-=


<:=


<A=


:' To prove intent7 efenant 6ust:
a'



#'


c' Transferre intent often arises "ith:



E1A.$)E: .une "ants to scare Pi67 so she thro"s a knife to"ars Pi6 #ut it ens up
sta##in& hi6 in his le&' .une intene to co66it assault #ut there is also a clai6 for
#attery' Intent for assault satisfies intent for #attery'
E1A.$)E: ?eavis has #een harassin& .onny at school' .onny ecies that he "ants to en
this so he "ill scare ?eavis into not pickin& on hi6' .onny fins his father$s loae 28i an
#rin&s it to school "ith the intent si6ply to scare ?eavis' .onny accientally pulls the
tri&&er %ust as Precious co6es "alkin& out an &ets hit in the ri&ht ar6' ?eavis can sue for
assault' Precious can #rin& an action for #attery'
A' Reasonable appreension:






Example: ,app "orke at a clock repair store' Mrs' /ill co6es into the store an fins ,app
runk' Mrs' /ill inquires a#out &ettin& her clock fi9e' ,app reaches to"ar Mrs' /ill an asks to
pet her an fi9 her clock' ,he sues for assault' Issue "as a#out ho" "ie the counter "as
#ecause it eter6ine "hether Mrs' /ill coul have a reasona#le apprehension of a #attery'
D' Imminence:




E1A.$)E: If .racula says he "ill co6e #ack to6orro" to suck your #loo7 it is not an assault'
F' *ook for ele6ents that ne&ate intent'
I' 3ou often have assault an #attery to&ether'
E1A.$)E: Thro"in& a "ater #alloon at so6eone creates the reasona#le apprehension of a
#attery <assault= an then #ein& struck #y the #alloon is the actual #attery'
a' 3ou can have one "ithout the other'
E1A.$)E: ?attery "ithout assault:
E1A.$)E: ,leepin& plaintiff is never in apprehension #ut suffere a #attery'
E1A.$)E: Assault "ithout #attery:
E1A.$)E: (ear-6iss case'
J' Wors alone rarely create an assault'
E1A.$)E: Parker is "alkin& o"n a eserte alley an hear a voice sayin& that they have a &un
pointe at his hea' This is enou&h for an assault even thou&h it "as co66itte #y "ors'
K' Must #e an intentional threat of an i66inent #attery'
E1A.$)E: .o6 an Pat are stuyin& to&ether for the #ar e9a6' .o6 notices that Pat has put
to&ether checklists an ia&ra6s for herself an "ants to #orro" it' Pat says no7 .o6 &ets 6a
an &ra#s her cat an hols it over the #alcony7 threatenin& to rop the cat unless Pat &ives
hi6 her outlines' Pat sues .o6 for assault' This is not an assault or #attery'
'. 2alse Imprisonment
-' ;alse i6prison6ent arises "here:





a' Ele6ents:
<-=


<:=


<A=


<D=


:' .efenant has the requisite intent for false i6prison6ent if he:
a'


#'


c' Motive is irrelevant'
E1A.$)E: Tar&et e6ployees are e9cite for their holiay party' After the store closes7 they
"ill &o out' At L p'6'7 "ithout checkin& to see if anyone is in the chan&in& roo6s7 so6eone
locks up the store an Patina &ets locke in all ni&ht an sues for false i6prison6ent' ,he
"oul lose #ecause she coul not prove intent'
A' Confinement:





a' (o uration of confine6ent is require:




#' Confine6ent &enerally occurs #y:



<-= Threats of reputational har6 are &enerally insufficient'
E1A.$)E: .avi tells Pa#lo that if he leaves his roo67 .avi "ill tell the "orl that
Pa#lo is a vir&in' Pa#lo stays in for a 6onth an then sues .avi for false
i6prison6ent' (o confine6ent can #e foun #ecause this "as a threat of reputational
har6'
c' If plaintiff kno"s of a reasona#le 6eans of escape:



E1A.$)E: If there is an open "ino" on the first floor an the plaintiff kno"s a#out it7 there
is no confine6ent'
If there is an open "ino" on the thir floor an plaintiff "oul have to %u6p an risk in%ury7
this is not a reasona#le 6eans of escape'
<-= +isk of e6#arrass6ent is not a reasona#le 6eans of escape'
Example: ,tuart takes all of ,usan$s clothes an leaves her in the 6ile of the "oos'
?ecause ,usan oes not have a 6eans of escape7 ,tuart has falsely i6prisone her'
D' A&ainst the plaintiff$s "ill:



E1A.$)E: Pla9is is apprehene #y an unercover store etective' /e is taken to a #ack roo6
to call the police' Pla9is says he "ill "ait for the police an then threatens to sue for false
i6prison6ent #ut cannot #ecause he has consente to the confine6ent'
F' Harm or dama&es:
a' If the plaintiff is a"are she is #ein& confine:




#' If the plaintiff is not a"are that she is #ein& confine:



E1A.$)E: If urin& a lecture7 all of the oors in the roo6 "ere locke #ut stuents i not
try to leave7 there is no false i6prison6ent' If one person tries an cannot &et out7 there is
a false i6prison6ent clai6'
E1A.$)E: If a #a#y is locke in a roo67 the #a#y pro#a#ly oes not kno" of the
confine6ent' If there "as so6e sort of physical har67 there "oul #e a clai6' )ther"ise7
no false i6prison6ent'
H($OTHETICA)
.el#ert quickly locks Professor *on&"ine$s classroo6 oor urin& a Torts class7
unlockin& the roo6 an hour later at the en of class' Every stuent is so en&rosse in
the lecture that no#oy tries to leave the roo6 urin& the class'
Is 'elbert liable for false imprisonment,

()7 () )(E WA, AWA+E ); )+ I(C2+E. ?3 T/E C)(;I(EME(T




I' ;alse arrest:
$, ;A*,E A,,E+TI)( ); A2T/)+IT3


E. Intentional Infliction of Emotional 'istress
-' Intentional infliction of e6otional istress arises "here:
I(TE(TI)(A**3 )+ +EC@*E,,*3 E(0A0E, I( EXT+EME )+ +EC@*E, C)(2CT T/AT CA2,E,
,E1E+E EM) .I,T+E,,'



a' Ele6ents:
<-= I(TE(T!+EC@*E,,(E,,


<:= EXT+EME A(. )2T+A0E)2, C)(.2CT


<A= CA2,ATI)(


<D= ,E1E+E EM) .I,T+E,,


:' .ental State:
.efenant 6ust act "ith intent to cause severe 6ental istress or #e reckless in creatin& the
risk of e6otional istress'
a' Intentional:
<-=


<:=


#' +ecklessness:




E1A.$)E: .ora ha an on&oin& feu "ith Pavala' .ora calls Pavala7 is&uises her voice an
says Gthis is 0eneral /ospital' 3our chil has %ust #een rushe to the e6er&ency roo6'H
Pavala suffers severe e6otional istress' .ora has the intent for IIE.' It "as her &oal to
cause e6otional istress an kne" it "as virtually certain'
E1A.$)E: .ora is at the hospital an "alks #y the esk "here people check in an
overhears a iscussion an thinks that one of the nurses is sayin& that Pavala$s chil has
#een rushe to the e6er&ency roo6' .ora calls Pavala' This "oul suffice for IIE. #ecause
it "oul #e a for6 of recklessness'
c' (o transferre intent octrine7 #ut:




E1A.$)E: .on sta#s Paul$s father in front of Paul' If .on kno"s that Paul is there an kno"s
that his victi6 is Paul$s father an Paul suffers e6otional istress7 Paul coul recover a&ainst
.on for IIE. not #ecause of transferre intent7 #ut #ecause .on "as reckless'
A' The ele6ent of e9tre6e an outra&eous conuct is satisfie if:




a' )ffensive or insultin& lan&ua&e is &enerally not consiere outra&eous'
E1A.$)E: .elilah7 in front of everyone7 says that Paula$s ress is cheap an u&ly' Paula is
hu6iliate an has a heart attack fro6 e6#arrass6ent an sues for IIE.' Paula "oul lose'
?' EXCEPTIONS :
<-=



<:=


E1A.$)E: .ratt kno"s that Pon is superstitious an releases #lack cats onto his
property an sens hi6 shattere 6irrors' This "oul &enerally #e tolerate7 #ut since
.ratt acte to e9ploit Pon$s suscepti#ility7 it "oul #e consiere IIE.'
<A=



D' Causation issue that 6i&ht arise:






F' Se%ere emotional distress
a' Plaintiff oes not have to prove:


#' Plaintiff si6ply has to prove:





2. Trespass to )and
-' Trespass to lan is:




a' Ele6ents:
<-=


<:=


<A=


:' To esta#lish intent7 plaintiff nees to sho" that:
a'


#'



E1A.$)E: Irene is rivin& aroun an &ets lost in an unkno"n area' ,he sees .ennis
stanin& on the sie"alk' Irene pulls over an asks .ennis for irections to the free"ay
entrance' .ennis says to take his irt roa to the en7 an 6ake a left' Property oesn$t
#elon& to .ennis7 #ut to Prince "ho has hien ca6eras' ;ins Irene an sues her for
trespass' Prince "ill recover #ecause Irene intene to enter that lan an .ennis intene
to &et Irene to enter the lan'
c' Mistake is not a efense as to a trespass action'
A' When a person is trespassin&7 they are lia#le for the full e9tent of their har6'
E1A.$)E: Irene is rivin& carefully across the irt roa7 hits a pothole an loses control' ,he hits
an a8alea #ush "orth M-F7NNN' ,he is lia#le for this estruction #ecause it occurre "hile she
"as trespassin&'
D' Entry:






Example: .arla fires a &un across Pentiu6$s property' This constitutes trespass #ecause the
#ullet crosse the property of the plaintiff'
F' $laintiff3s land:
a'



E1A.$)E: .arla thinks she is crop ustin& her o"n lan #ut the pesticie lans on )"en$s
lan' /e has lease the property to To6' To6 can #rin& a trespass to lan action #ecause
he is in possession of the lan' If per6anent a6a&e occurre7 the o"ner "oul have a
clai6'
I' Remedies
a' Three types of re6eies in tort:
<-=
<a=


<:=
<a=


<A=
<a=


#' Trespass to lan:
<-=


<:=


<A=


<a=


<#=


/. Trespass to Cattels
-' Trespass to chattels arises "here:



a' Ele6ents:
<-=


<:=


<A=


<D=


:' Intent is satisfie "hen:





E1A.$)E: .ale is leavin& a restaurant an takes a #lue eni6 *evi$s %acket7 #elievin& it is his
#ut it is really Paul$s' This is sufficient to create intent for trespass to chattels'
A' Conuct &ivin& rise to trespass to chattels:



D' Harm:



E1A.$)E: @eepin& the %acket for five 6inutes is not si&nificant enou&h' @eepin& the %acket for a
"eek "oul #e an Paul "oul likely #e a#le to recover the rental value of the %acket'
E1A.$)E: Pa6 an .e9tra are at Pa6$s apart6ent' They are playin& a &a6e "here every ti6e
Gforeseea#ilityH co6es up7 they o a shot of tequila' )nce they finish the first #ottle7 Pa6 says
she "ill &o to the store to &et 6ore' Pa6$s o& is in the #ackyar an Pa6 tells .e9tra not to let
the o& in the house or touch the o&' Pa6 co6es #ack to fin .e9tra holin& the o& an sues
for trespass to chattels' If the o& is not har6e7 there is no case'
a' +e6eies:
<-=


<:=


H. Con%ersion
-' Conversion arises "here:




a' Ele6ents:
<-=


<:=


<A=


:' Intent:




Example: .ale takes Paul$s %acket an loses it' ,ue for conversion' Is lia#le' /a the purpose to
e9ercise o6inion an control over the %acket an #y losin& it7 there is a serious an su#stantial
interference' .ale "oul have to pay fair 6arket value'
A' ?ona fie purchaser for value'
E1A.$)E: Cruella steals Prissy$s Min& vase "orth M-7NNN7NNN' Cruella sells the vase to .rake7
"ho pays fair 6arket value' Prissy can sue Cruella for conversion' If Prissy cannot fin Cruella7
.rake is a converter as "ell an can #e sue' Either has to pay M-7NNN7NNN to Prissy or return
the vase'
D' Remedies and dama&es
a' Typical re6ey is force sale:



#' +eplevin:



T+E,PA,, T) C/ATTE*, C)(1E+,I)(
-' Intentional tort -' Intentional tort
:' Co66itte #y intentionally
ispossessin& or inter6elin& "ith a
chattel in the possession of another
:' Co66itte #y intentionally e9ercisin&
o6inion or control over a chattel an
seriously interferin& "ith the ri&hts of the
o"ner'
A' .efenant is lia#le for a6a&e or
i6inishe value of chattel'
A' .efenant is lia#le for the full value of
the chattel at the ti6e of the conversion'
I. 'efenses and $ri%ile&es to Intentional Torts
E1A. TI$: +e6e6#er $O$CA#S
$rivile&e
Others
$roperty
Consent
Authority
#ecessity
Self-efense
-' Consent
a' If the plaintiff oes consent:



#' Plaintiff can 6anifest consent e9pressly7 #y i6plication7 or as a 6atter of la"'
<-= Express consent e9ists "here:



E1A.$)E: Professor is concerne a#out his "ei&ht an nees to stop eatin& T"inkies'
Tells class that if they see hi6 eatin& a T"inkie7 o "hatever it takes to stop hi6'
,tuent &ra#s his ar6 an pulls the T"inkie a"ay7 professor sues for #attery' Woul
lose7 &ave e9press consent'
<a= *i6itation:



<:= I6plie consent arises "here:



Example: X plays pickup #asket#all' .urin& the &a6e7 an opposin& player trips hi6 an
causes hi6 to in%ure his le&' Even if one intentionally7 X ha i6pliely consente #y
a&reein& to play'
<a= *i6itation:


<#= ,tanar is:


E1A.$)E: Polly is in line for a vaccination #ut oes not kno" this' )ffers her ar6
an receives an in%ection' Polly sues for #attery7 #ut there "as i6plie consent'
+easona#le to #elieve consent ha #een &iven'
c' Mistake can vitiate consent "hen:




E1A.$)E: .ale is a#out to #eco6e inti6ate "ith Penny "hen Penny asks if he has herpes'
.ale7 kno"in& he oes7 lies an enies it an then sleeps "ith Penny' Penny &ets herpes
an sues .ale' Will not #e ee6e to have consente'
If Penny is a prostitute an they en&a&e in se9ual relations an .ale pays Penny "ith a
counterfeit #ill7 there is still consent #ecause the counterfeit #ill is a collateral 6atter'
H($OTHETICA)
?illy Clu# asks /i6a Toh6a if he can hit her "ith his ne" #ase#all #at' /i6a respons7
G,ure4you can$t s"in& that foa6 #at har enou&h to hurt 6e any"ay'H ?illy7 kno"in&
that the #at is7 in fact7 6ae of "oo7 s"in&s an hits /i6a'
Can -illy claim te defense of consent for te battery,






:' Self4'efense
a' Arises "here:




<-= .efenant only nee #e reasona#le an 6ust respon "ith proportionate force'
#' )nce the threat is over:




E1A.$)E: .onna an Paula e9chan&e harsh "ors' Paula says G"ait until the ne9t ti6e I
see you alone' I a6 &oin& to teach you a lesson'H .onna is alone in a parkin& lot that ni&ht
"hen she sees Paula "alkin& to"ars her "ith so6ethin& in her han' .onna picks up a
stone an thro"s it an hits Paula7 causin& in%ury' Paula sues for #attery' .onna intene
contact #ut ar&ues self-efense #ase on the earlier threat' Even if Paula "as only carryin&
a fishin& pole as an apolo&y &ift7 if .onna #elieve she "as threatene7 she can respon
accorin&ly'
c' The force use 6ust #e proportionate to the threat:
<-=


<:= +etreat:
<a=


<#=


H($OTHETICA)
.ylan sees Percy approachin& hi6 in a #ar7 "ith a #ase#all #at poise to strike hi6'
?elievin& that Percy intens to hurt hi67 .ylan "restles Percy to the &roun'
Is 'ylan still pri%ile&ed to defend imself if it turns out tat $ercy *as not actually intendin& to
urt 'ylan,






A' 'efense of Oters
a'




Example: I&or overhear the threat that Paula 6ae to .onna' .onna is in the parkin& lot
"hen I&or sees Paula "alkin& to"ars .onna' I&or picks up a stone7 thro"s it an hits
Paula' Paula sues for #attery' I&or coul successfully assert efense of others #ecause he
reasona#ly #elieve that .onna "as at risk of i66inent har6 an respone "ith
proportionate force'
D' 'efense of $roperty
a'




#' A efenant 6ay never use ealy force to protect personal or real property'
<-=



c' )ne 6ay use reasona#le force to e%ect a trespasser fro6 personal property after askin&
the6 to leave'
' +ecapture of chattels:





E1A.$)E: .ale took Paul$s %acket' Paul sa" it an aske for it #ack' .ale takes off "ith the
%acket' Paul can chase .ale an use reasona#le force to &et it #ack'
F' #ecessity
a'




#' Pu#lic necessity:



E1A.$)E: Earthquake starts a fire in the city an to stop the fire7 .evilla yna6ites
Pa9ton$s ho6e to stop the sprea of the fire' Pa9ton sues for conversion an trespass to
lan' Pa9ton "oul lose' The &reater &oo "as tryin& to stop the fire'
<-= Coul raise ;ifth A6en6ent takin&s issues'
c' Private necessity:



E1A.$)E: .e6ora is out on the "ater in a s6all #oat loae o"n "ith i6portant car&o
"hen a stor6 arrives' .e6ora takes her #oat an ties it to Prince$s ock not"ithstanin&
the G(o Trespassin&H si&ns' .e6ora coul assert this efense'
<-= .efenant "ill #e lia#le for any har6 cause urin& the e9ercise of the privile&e'
H($OTHETICA)
.ev is #oatin& on a lake "hen his 6otor #oat sprin&s a leak' Concerne that he "ill sink
an ro"n7 .ev 6otors to the nearest ock7 "hich #elon& to Paulo' .ev ties his #oat to
Paulo$s ock an "alks across Paulo$s lan in search of help' The #oat a6a&es the
ock "hile 6oore there'
Is 'e% liable to $aulo for trespass, for te dama&e to te doc!,






I' Autority
a' Arrest
<-= ;elony:




<:= Mise6eanor:




<A= Private iniviuals:



#' Sop!eeper3s $ri%ile&e
<-=






E1A.$)E: .ru& Co' has an unercover etective "ho sees Pa9ton shoppin& on a hot
ay in a lon& heavy coat' /e #elieves he sa" Pa9ton put so6ethin& into the pocket of
the coat' 0ra#s an etains hi6 until the police eter6ine that he i not take
anythin&' .epens on len&th an 6anner of etain6ent'
c' 'iscipline
<-=



?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion -
.avi$s nei&h#or7 Cack7 is a 6usician an practices "ith his tru6pet every ay7 late into the ni&ht' )ne
ay7 .avi sa" Cack at the local &rocery store' ;rustrate #y the a6ount of noise co6in& fro6 Cack$s
house every ni&ht7 .avi approache Cack fro6 #ehin an yelle7 GIf you on$t stop playin& the
tru6pet7 one ay I a6 &oin& to kill you'H 2nkno"n to .avi7 Cack "as "earin& the earplu&s he "ore to
perfor6 live an i not even kno" that .avi "as speakin& to hi6'
.is6aye #y Cack$s apparent inifference7 .avi telephone Cack an repeate the threat' Cack "as
shocke to iscover his nei&h#or islike his 6usic7 an quickly apolo&i8e' That ni&ht Cack "ent to #e
early an i not practice his tru6pet'
In a cause of action a&ainst .avi for assault7 Cack "ill
A= prevail7 if the reason he refraine fro6 practicin& his tru6pet "as fear of retri#ution fro6 .avi'
?= prevail7 #ecause he "as upset #y the telephone call an .avi shoul reasona#ly have kno"n
that he "oul #e'
C= not prevail7 #ecause he "as una"are of .avi$s state6ents in the store'
.= not prevail7 #ecause .avi sai Gone ay I a6 &oin& to kill you'H
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion :
*arry7 the o"ner of a s6all #ookstore7 is very concerne a#out a recent "ave of shoplifters "earin&
s"eatshirts "ith lar&e pockets an sneakin& #ooks out in the pockets'
T"o ays after the 6ost recent shopliftin& incient7 on a particularly "ar6 ay7 Ti6 entere *arry$s
#ookstore "earin& a s"eatshirt si6ilar to those "orn #y the shoplifters' *arry notice Ti6$s s"eatshirt
an "atche hi6 spen over an hour slo"ly 6ovin& throu&h the various #ook stacks' E9pectin& the
"orst7 *arry 6ove a lar&e heavy #ook cart in front of the front oor7 an calle the police station to
report a shoplifter'
Ti6 eventually 6ove to the cash re&ister to pay for his selection of #ooks' After payin& for his #ooks7
Ti6 iscovere his e9it "as #locke #y the #ook cart' ,hortly thereafter7 the police arrive an aske
Ti6 to e6pty his pockets' Ti6 i not have anythin& in his s"eatshirt pockets'
Ti6$s cause of action for false i6prison6ent "ill
A= fail7 #ecause the shopkeeper$s privile&e "ill prevent the cause of action'
?= fail7 #ecause Ti6 "as not har6e #y the confine6ent'
C= succee7 #ecause Ti6 "as a"are of the confine6ent'
.= succee7 #ecause Ti6 "as not in fact a shoplifter'
II' (E0*I0E(CE
A. Introduction
-' ;ra6e the ele6ents as follo"s
a' .uty:



#' ,tanar of Care:



c' ?reach of .uty:



' Cause in ;act:



e' Pro9i6ate Cause:



f' .a6a&es:



&' .efenses
E1A. TI$: 2se heain&s on a ne&li&ence question4separate out the ele6ents' )n an essay7
use the facts an en&a&e in analysis'
-. 'uty
-' 0eneral uty rule:




a' .uty is a si&nificant issue "here there is:
<-=


<:=


<A=


<D=


:' 5nforeseeable $laintiffs
a' In the fa6ous Pals&raf case7 Custice Caro8o articulate the rule that:




E1A.$)E: .ru&e is rivin& ne&li&ently7 %u6ps the curve an collies into the #ack of a
parke car' The parke car containe e9plosives7 an a hu&e e9plosion occurre' Three
#locks a"ay7 Polyanna "as "alkin& o"n the street an "as hit #y a piece of fallin& &lass
fro6 the e9plosion' ,he sues .ru&e for ne&li&ence an "ill lose #ecause she is not a
foreseea#le plaintiff'
#' +escuers:



H($OTHETICA)
.ella ne&li&ently fails to 6aintain a stool in her ice crea6 parlor' Xena7 a custo6er7 sits
on the stool an falls on to the &roun #ecause of the isrepair of the stool' Parker runs
across the ice crea6 parlor to help Xena7 #ut slies on the ice crea6 Xena roppe
"hen she fell7 #reakin& his ankle'
'oes 'ella o*e 1ena a duty, $ar!er,






A' #onfeasance:



a' Misfeasance:
<-=


<:=


E1A.$)E: .e#o is rivin& an #ecause he is not payin& attention7 fails to stop at a stop
si&n' )"es a uty to plaintiff' This "as 6isfeasance7 create an affir6ative risk of
har6'
#' (onfeasance #e&ins "ith the assu6ption that there is no uty at all'
<-= .uty to rescue or ai
E1A.$)E: .ia#lo is "alkin& on the railroa tracks "hen he hears the soun of a #a#y
cryin&' /e kno"s a train is co6in& an "atches it kill the #a#y' The parents of the #a#y
sue .ia#lo for ne&li&ence' .ia#lo o"es no uty'
<a= E1CE$TIO#S :
-=


E1A.$)E: .e9ter is rivin& across a narro" #ri&e an is rivin& on the "ron&
sie of the center line' Polly tries to avoi hi6 an rives off the #ri&e'
.e9ter has a uty'
:=



E1A.$)E: .elilah is on a eserte #each an sees a car fly over a #ri&e into
the "ater' .elilah has no o#li&ation to rescue7 #ut if she unertakes to act she
cannot then s"i6 a"ay'
a= ,o6e %urisictions say you are only lia#le if you leave the efenant in a
"orse position'
#= 0oo ,a6aritan statutes:





A=


E1A.$)E: Palatin calls .ina sayin& that he has chest pains' .ina says she "ill
take hi6 to the E+' )n her "ay over to his house7 .ina runs into friens an
&oes "ith the6 instea of Palatin' ,he o"es hi6 a uty #ecause she sai she
"oul co6e to his ai'
D=


E1A.$)E: If .ia#lo "as the father of the #a#y on the railroa tracks7 he "oul
have a uty to rescue it'
Co66on carrier!passen&er' Innkeeper!&uest' Captain!passen&er or sea6an'
.rinkin& #uies'
H($OTHETICA)
.arla7 an e9pert s"i66er7 is sun#athin& on a eserte #each "hen suenly Paulo$s car
rives off a #ri&e an into the "ater'
Is 'arla liable if se i&nores $aulo3s pli&t and continues sunbatin&, "at if se starts brin&in&
$aulo bac! to sore0 ten abandons te rescue because se spots a rare fis se *ants to inspect,






H($OTHETICA)
.ino7 a river for Mauvehoun ?us *ines7 sees that a passen&er is havin& ifficulty
#reathin&'
'oes 'ino a%e a duty to come to te passen&er3s aid, 'o te oter passen&ers,






<:= 'uty to control tird parties
E1A.$)E: .el#erto an Tina are stran&ers sittin& ne9t to each other at a #ar' They
start chattin& an Tina says her hus#an is &oin& to co6e #y an pick her up' ,he says
she is &oin& to kill hi6 "hen he oes' Tina leaves an shoots her hus#an' /us#an
sues .el#erto for not "arnin& hi6'
<a= There is no uty to control the conuct of a thir person as to prevent hi6 fro6
causin& physical har6 to another'
<?= E1CE$TIO# :






E1A.$)E: A prison has a an&erous cri6inal locke a"ay an the cri6inal
escapes' The prison has a uty to "arn people in the nei&h#orhoo'
E1A.$)E: A 6other kno"s that her son al"ays tries to kill #a#ysitters "hen she
leaves hi6 "ith the6' ,he 6ust "arn the #a#ysitter'
E1A.$)E: Psychotherapist e9ercises enou&h control that "hen they kno" of the
patient$s an&erous propensity7 there is a uty to "arn the party that 6i&ht #e in
an&er'
<c= Proviers of alcohol
-= Traitional rule:




:= .ra6 ,hop Acts:






<= (e&li&ent entrust6ent:





E1A.$)E: ;ather &ives son a &un to play "ith' If son shoots a thir party7 the
father can #e sue'
<A= .uty to Protect:
<a=



<?= EXCEPTIONS :
-=







H($OTHETICA)
Tenant Pa9ton is ro##e at &unpoint #y a stran&er "hile in the launry roo6 of his
apart6ent #uilin& o"ne #y .rucilla' Another tenant "as ro##e in the launry roo6
last 6onth'
Can $axton proceed *it a ne&li&ence action a&ainst 'rucilla,






D' When the efenant is a &overn6ental entity7 the question of "hether the efenant o"es a
uty to the plaintiff "ill epen on the function the &overn6ent is fulfillin& that &ives rise to the
cause of action'
a' Proprietary function:
<-=


<:=



#' .iscretionary activity:
<-=


<:=


c' Ministerial function:
<-=


E1A.$)E: Parlu is in%ure at an intersection "hen she it hit #y a car' ,he sues the city7
sayin& there shoul have #een stop si&n' City "ill pro#a#ly "in' The ecision of "here to
place the stop si&n is a %u&6ent ecision on the part of the city'
E1A.$)E: If the stop si&n "as installe incorrectly7 Parlu "oul #e a#le to recover
a&ainst the city'
<:= Pu#lic uty octrine:
When a &overn6ent a&ency <e'&'7 police7 fire epart6ent= is sue for failin& to provie
an aequate response7 courts "ill fin no uty'
<A= EXCEPTIONS :
-=


:=



' If the efenant is a utility:





F' If the plaintiff$s in%ury is not personal in%ury or property a6a&e7 uty issues arise'
a' Emotional 'istress
<-=



E1A.$)E: .ell is speein& an rivin& ne&li&ently' /e collies "ith an in%ures Puka7
#reakin& her le& in five places' Puka cannot "ork7 has a lot of 6eical #ills an her car
is estroye' ,he is in &reat pain an "ill "alk "ith a li6p for the rest of her life' Puka
can recover for pain an sufferin&'
<:= 'irect Actions:




<a= In 6ost %urisictions7 to recover for e6otional istress the plaintiff 6ust:
-=


:=
A=



E1A.$)E: Pavi is stanin& on the sie"alk "aitin& to cross the street' .a#
%u6ps the cur#7 al6ost &ets run over #ut %u6ps a"ay' Pavi has a heart attack
#ecause he "as al6ost run over' A uty is o"e #ecause Pavi "as in the 8one
of an&er'
D= EXCEPTIONS :
a=



#=


<#= In a 6inority of %urisictions7 if efenant has a pree9istin& uty to plaintiff7
plaintiff 6ay recover for ne&li&ent infliction of e6otional istress'
<A= -ystander Actions:




<a= Many %urisictions require the #ystaner to have #een in the 8one of an&er'
</o"ever7 6ost courts have no" aopte so6e version of the #ystaner lia#ility
rule' A plaintiff 6ay recover for ne&li&ent infliction of e6otional istress uner a
#ystaner theory if he <-= "as locate near the scene of an accientE <:= suffere
severe e6otional istressE an <A= ha a close relationship "ith the victi6'=
E1A.$)E: Mo6 an .a &o out for a "alk "ith Cunior' .a an Cunior are holin&
hans an crossin& the street7 Mo6 stoppe to tie her shoe' A ne&li&ently riven car
runs over an severely in%ures Cunior' .a %u6ps out of the "ay' Mo6 "atches the
events' Mo6 an .a #oth have heart attacks an sue the river for (IE.' 2ner
M?E7 only .a can recover #ecause he "as in the 8one of an&er' Woul have irect
an #ystaner action' Mo6 cannot recover'
<#= ,o6e %urisictions allo" plaintiffs outsie the 8one of an&er #ut on the scene of
the in%ury to recover for e6otional istress'
#' "ron&ful Conception0 "ron&ful -irt0 "ron&ful )ife
E1A. TI$: )n the M?E7 this is usually a "ron& ans"er ue to the %urisictional splits'
E1A.$)E: Xena &oes to see .r' .estructo for a6niocentesis an .r' co66its 6alpractice
an punctures the fetus$ lun&' Chil is #orn "ith a collapse lun&' Chil can sue .r' #ecause
ne&li&ence is "hy he has a collapse lun&'
<-= Wron&ful conception applies "here the in%ury is:



<a= .a6a&es typically involve:




<:= Wron&ful #irth is:



<a= Wron&ful #irth clai6s &enerally ste6 fro6:




<#= .a6a&es:





<A= Wron&ful life is:



I' )and $ossessor )iability
a' $laintiffs on te land
<-= In%itees
<a= An invitee is:





E1A.$)E: ,hoppers in a store or patrons in a 6useu6'
<#= .efenant has a uty to e9ercise reasona#le care to prevent in%uries to invitees
cause #y activities conucte on his lan'
<:= )icensees
<a= A licensee is:





H($OTHETICA)
.el#ert invites his class6ate Paco to inner at his ho6e' Paco is in%ure "hen his han
is cut on a piece of #roken tile in .el#ert$s #athroo6'
Is $aco a licensee or an in%itee,






<#= *an possessors 6ust "arn licensees of:



<A= Trespassers
<a= Trespassers are:




<#= )nly o#li&ation on the lan possessor is:



<D= ,tatus can #e e#ata#le an can chan&e'
E1A.$)E: A .ean is havin& an open house for stuents of her la" school' When Parton
trips over a sprinkler hea covere #y &rass an #reaks his ankle7 he sues .ean' /e is
pro#a#ly an invitee #ecause he "as there to confer a #enefit on .ean' There is a uty7
#ut has .ean #een reasona#le?
Parton starts "anerin& aroun the house an ens up cuttin& hi6self on a piece of
#roken 6ar#le' (o lon&er an invitee' Coul he have reasona#ly #elieve that he ha
i6plie consent to #e in that part of the house? If a licensee7 .ean ha a uty to "arn'
If a trespasser7 no uty to "arn'
<F= )ther uties o"e #y lan possessors
<a= Activities on the lan:




<#= )nly for an invitee oes a lan o"ner have a uty to search out an&ers on the
property'
<c= If there are kno"n or frequent trespassers:



E1A.$)E: .a#ya kno"s of trespassers' If she #uils a crocoile pit an hies it7
she 6ust put up a "arnin& of the an&ers' If there is naturally occurrin&
quicksan7 she oes not nee to "arn'
<I= Cild Trespassers 6Attracti%e #uisance 'octrine7
<a= If the conitions apply7 even thou&h there is a trespassin& chil7 the chil "ill #e
treate like an invitee'
<#= ;ive factors:
-=


:=


A=


D=


F=



E1A.$)E: ,i9-year-ol Pa#lo is trespassin& on .evin$s lan' .evin is #uilin& a
ne" #arn so there is scaffolin& an construction' Pa#lo starts "alkin& aroun
"hen one of the #oars cracks7 he falls an #reaks his #ack' Pa#lo sues .evin'
Court "ill apply the factors'
<J= Minority approach:



#' $laintiffs not on te land 6but ad8acent to it7
<-= Artificial conition on the lan:



<:= (atural conition on the lan:



E1A.$)E: .esiree #uils a fau9 Eiffel To"er on her property' )n a "iny ay7 a piece
of the to"er #reaks loose an hits Pierre on the hea' Pierre sues .esiree' ,he o"es
hi6 a uty of reasona#le care'
If Pierre is #line #y a naturally occurrin& quicksan pit7 he is not o"e a uty'
c' )andlords and Tenants
<-= *anlors are not lia#le unless:
<a=


<#=


<c=


<=


C. Standard of Care
-' Reasonably $rudent $erson 5nder te Same or Similar Circumstances
a' )#%ective stanar of care:




#' Must eter6ine "hat circu6stances are relevant'
E1A.$)E: AN-year-ol .olores has live her entire life in (3C' ,he has never riven a car'
.olores accepts a %o# in *A7 takes the rivin& test an passes' )n her first ay as a license
river7 she collies "ith Pinky an Pinky sues' The fact that it is her first ay is irrelevant'
<-= .efenant 6ust rise up to the level of the avera&e person in the co66unity'
<:= We o not consier:



<A= We o take into account:
<a=




<#=



E1A.$)E: .el#ert is notifie that his chil "as in%ure an taken to the hospital'
/e %u6ps into his car an spees to the hospital an ens up in%urin& Pla9' Cury "ill
consier "hether .el#ert acte reasona#ly "hen rushin& to atten to his in%ure
chil'
E1A.$)E: If .orkus is rivin& "hile istracte an has to veer his car into
Po6paor$s Ca&uar in orer to avoi hittin& a chil7 he cannot clai6 e6er&ency
#ecause he create the situation'
c' Analysis of the #reach is:
;ailure to act as a reasona#ly pruent person:
<-=


<:=


<A=


E1A.$)E: .unco is a trolley co6pany an ecies to #uil one usin& uninsulate "ires'
Putnick is "alkin& across the #ri&e carryin& a 6etal pole an the pole 6akes contact
"ith the "ires7 shockin& hi6' Must use a#ove consierations to eter6ine "hether
stanar of care "as 6et'
<D= Custo6 evience
<a= .eviation favors plaintiff'
<#= Co6pliance favors efenant'
E1A.$)E: Plaintiff coul put on evience that 6ost trolley lines insulate their
"ires' This is helpful evience in provin& ne&li&ence if it is "ell-esta#lishe custo6
esi&ne to prevent shocks fro6 the uninsulate "ires'
:' Cildren
a' The reasona#le person stanar specifically takes account of a&e "hen efenant is a
6inor'
#' Ma%ority of %urisictions:




<-= ,u#%ective:



<:= )#%ective:



c' Minority of %urisictions:



.' E1CE$TIO# :




E9a6ple: ---year-ol .arla is rivin& her parents$ car an collies an in%ures Pava7 "hen
Pava sues .arla7 #ecause she "as rivin& a car "hich is an ault activity an an inherently
an&erous activity7 .arla oes not &et the chil stanar an "ill #e hel to the stanar of
the reasona#ly pruent person'
A' Statutory and #e&li&ence Per Se
a' A statute that provies for civil lia#ility supersees the co66on la" of torts'
E1A.$)E: If a state le&islature passes a la" that says Ganyone "ho is in%ure in an
auto6o#ile accient an "as not "earin& their seat#elt cannot recover in tort7H a plaintiff
cannot recover in a ne&li&ence action if she "as not "earin& a seat#elt'
#' (e&li&ence per se:





<-= When eter6inin& "hether the statute shoul apply7 a %u&e consiers:
<a=



<#=



E1A.$)E: *e&islature in the state of Panic passes a la" that says Ganyone rivin&
after suno"n "ithout heali&hts is &uilty of an infraction punisha#le #y up to a
M-7NNN fine'H This is a cri6inal la"' .ana is rivin& after usk "ithout heali&hts an
cannot see Trachsel crossin& the street an she runs over an in%ures hi6' Trachsel
sues .ana in ne&li&ence an "oul prefer that the %u&e use the statute to set the
stanar of care #ecause it li6its the %ury role'
<:= In a 6a%ority of %urisictions7 this 6eans that an une9cuse violation conclusively
esta#lishes that efenant #reache his uty to plaintiff'
<A= Minority %urisictions re&ar a qualifyin& violation of statute #y efenant as either
raisin& a re#utta#le presu6ption or as pri6a facie evience that efenant$s conuct
#reache the uty to plaintiff'
c' When the statute oes not apply
<-= ,tatute "ill not #e use to set the stanar of care #ut the case procees uner
reasona#le an pruent person stanar of care'
E1A.$)E: ,tate of Coy passes a statute that requires all railroas to construct secure
fences #et"een their property an nei&h#orin& property7 failure to o so results in a
fine up to M-7NNN' .unn railroa constructs a fli6sy fence #et"een their lan an
Pierre$s' +ailroa "orkers 6o" the la"n ne9t to the fence7 an on the other sie of the
fence is Pierre$s co"' Co" knocks the fence over an eats herself to eath on the cut
&rass' ,tatute is not esi&ne to protect co"s fro6 overeatin& an "ill not apply'
<:= ,ituations in "hich the statute stanar "ill not apply:
<a=


<#=


E1A.$)E: .iva in%ures Pavarotti in a collision' Pavarotti "ants to sho" that .iva
"as rivin& "ith an e9pire license an use the statute as a stanar of care'
Court "ill require Pavarotti to sho" that .iva "as rivin& unreasona#ly'
D' $rofessionals
a' ;or la"yers7 octors7 accountants an architects7 courts "ill efer to the profession:




#' Meical Malpractice:
<-=



<a= ,pecialists:


<#= 0eneral practitioners:


E1A.$)E: .r' .o8e is an anesthesiolo&ist an a6inisters anesthesia to Peric'
After t"o hours7 Peric &ets up an then falls an suffers in%ury' ,ues .r' for
6eical 6alpractice' Evience sho"s other anesthesiolo&ists allo" patients to rest
for four hours7 not t"o hours after anesthesia' This evience sho"s eviation fro6
custo67 .r' "ill lose'
If .r' can sho"s that t"o hours are custo6ary7 Peric loses since .r' has co6plie
"ith custo6'
c' *ack of infor6e consent:
<-=






<:= Traitionally7 octors 6ust ivul&e those risks that are custo6arily ivul&e'
<A= ,tanar of 6ateriality:







H($OTHETICA)
Pe9ta ecies to let .r' .ial perfor6 a nose %o# for cos6etic reasons' Althou&h .r' .ial
oes nothin& "ron& in the sur&ery7 Pe9ta loses her sense of s6ell as a result of the
sur&ery' *osin& sense of s6ell is an inherent risk of the sur&ery' Pe9ta sues .r' .ial for
6alpractice7 clai6in& that he shoul have ivul&e the risk' .octors in &oo stanin& o
not custo6arily ivul&e this risk7 althou&h it is a 6aterial risk of nose %o#s'
"as 'r. 'ial obli&ated to di%ul&e tis ris! in a professional rule 8urisdiction, In a patient rule
8urisdiction,






' +ules for 6eical 6alpractice apply to architects7 accountants an la"yers
<-= In orer to prevail in a le&al 6alpractice action7 plaintiff 6ust sho":



'. -reac of 'uty
-' $laintiff3s burden:



:' Cust the happenin& of a #a result oesn$t esta#lish any sort of unreasona#le conuct on the
part of the efenant'
a' Ientify specific alle&e unreasona#le conuct'
<-= If you cannot7 there are special hurles to eal "ith'
A' T"o types of evience to sho" #reach of uty'
a' .irect evience:



#' Circu6stantial evience:



E1A.$)E: ;ather #akes a cherry pie an leaves it in the kitchen to cool' An hour later7 a
lar&e chunk is 6issin&' /e sees his au&hter$s T-shirt7 lips an teeth covere in re' This is
circu6stantial evience that au&hter ate the cherry pie'
<-= ,lip-an-fall cases
<a= ;or plaintiff to recover:




E1A.$)E: Pru is shoppin& at a 6arket "hen she falls on &rapes an #reaks her
le&' )nly proof is the in%ury' (o evience fro6 "hich the %ury can fin
unreasona#le conuct on the part of the 6arket' If the &rapes are #lackene7 she
"ill &et to the %ury #ecause the conition of the &rapes are circu6stantial evience
that the &rapes "ere there lon& enou&h that the 6arket shoul have iscovere
the6 an re6eie the conition'
<:=
Res ipsa loquitur
<Gthe thin& speaks for itselfH=
<a=



<#= Plaintiff nees to sho":
-=


:=



A=


E1A.$)E: Par6 is "atchin& .unCo$s livestock auction "hen a steer falls
throu&h the ceilin& an into his lap' ,ues .unCo for ne&li&ence7 .unCo says
that there is no proof of ne&li&ence on their part' 2ner res ipsa loquitur7 %ury
can infer #reach of uty if Par6 can prove his portion'
<c= E9clusive control is not require any6ore:



E1A.$)E: Tra9 &oes to J--- an #uys che"in& to#acco 6anufacture #y
.ru6?eat' When he opens the tin7 he fins a eco6pose hu6an toe' Tra9 sues
.ru6?eat for ne&li&ence' /e cannot sho" "hat .ru6?eat i "ron&7 #ut can
assert res ipsa loquitur'
<= Can #e use in the conte9t of 6eical 6alpractice'
-= Co66on @no"le&e E9ception:





<e= Multiple efenants:
-=

:=




E1A.$)E: Plaintiff &oes in for an appenecto6y an co6es out sufferin& an
in%ury to his ri&ht shouler' ,everal people "orke on plaintiff "hile
unconscious' Pro#a#ly the result of 6eical 6alpractice7 #ut couln$t sho"
"ho or "hat in%ure hi6'
E1A.$)E: Plaintiff "alkin& o"n the street past an apart6ent #uilin& an
&ets hit in the hea #y a flo"erpot' /e cannot sue all AN tenants of the
#uilin& #ecause they are not actin& as a &roup'
<f= Cury can ra" an inference of a #reach of uty'
<&= )nly applies in the conte9t of the tort of ne&li&ence an only to provin& the
ele6ent of #reach of uty'
H($OTHETICA)
Pashra is in%ure "hen a sie of #eef falls fro6 the sky an hits her on the hea' All
Pashra can sho" is that she "as "alkin& #y .unCo$s Meat ,tora&e Warehouse "hen this
occurre'
Can $asra maintain an action a&ainst 'unCo,






E. Cause4in4fact 6Actual Cause7
-'


E1A.$)E: Curisiction has a la" that all 6otorists 6ust honk horns "hen they are rivin& on
curvy roas to alert onco6in& traffic' If ."ee8el is rivin& in violation of that statute7 he "oul
#e ne&li&ent per se "hen he collies into an in%ures /arve' ;acts sho" that /arve is rivin& his
#ran ne" car "ith a state of the art soun syste6 an he is playin& Metallica as lou as
possi#le' Even thou&h /arve 6i&ht #e a#le to esta#lish the uty o"e to hi6 "as #reache7 he
6i&ht lost his ne&li&ence clai6 #ecause to esta#lish causation7 the &eneral test if G#ut for'H ?ut
for ."ee8el$s failure to honk7 6ore likely than not7 /arve "oul not have #een in%ure' It is
likely that /arve "oul not have hear the honk any"ay' (o causal link'
a' Plaintiff only has to sho":



E1A.$)E: +ochester 6i9e pota#le "ater line "ith se"a&e line' The line that has the
rinkin& "ater is calle the /e6lock line7 se"a&e line is calle the /olly line' ,tu##s
contracts typhoi' City says there are :N "ays to &et typhoi' As lon& as the plaintiff can
sho" that it is 6ore likely than not that the city "as responsi#le7 he has esta#lishe cause
in fact' If the %ury says there is a JFO chance the City is lia#le7 the plaintiff "ill still &et all of
his a6a&es'
:' ;our areas "here cause-in-fact issues arise
a' Multiple causes
<-= Multiple efenants7 efenant an act of nature etc'
<:= ,u#stantial factor test:




E1A.$)E: *anlor faile to provie hot "ater' Plaintiff heats "ater on the stove an
carries it to the #ath' Chil runs out an causes hi6 to spill it on hi6self' ?oth lanlor
an chil "oul #e #ut-for causes'
<a= Must use "here:



E1A.$)E: A#el ne&li&ently sets a fire' It #y itself "oul #urn o"n Parthenon$s
6ansion "orth M-M' Xena also sets a fire that "oul #y itself #urn o"n the
6ansion' They co6#ine an estroy the house' If Parthenon sues A#el7 he cannot
sho" #ut for his fire7 his house "oul not have #een estroye #ecause Xena$s fire
"oul have one the sa6e' Must use su#stantial factor test'
<#= Assu6e %oint an several lia#ility:
-=



#' *oss of chance
<-= Traitional application
E1A.$)E: Paulina &oes to see .octor' .octor co66its 6alpractice an fails to
ia&nose cancer' If .octor ha 6ae a ti6ely ia&nosis7 there "oul have #een a DNO
chance that Paulina coul survive #ut #y the ti6e it is iscovere7 it is incura#le'
Paulina sues .octor' Paulina "ill lose #ecause she cannot sho" 6ore likely than not
#ut for .octor$s 6alpractice she "oul have survive' Alreay ha a INO chance of
eath'
<:= Many %urisictions recharacteri8e the in%ury:
<a=


c' Alternative lia#ility theory <,u66ers v' Tice=
E1A.$)E: Tice an ,i6onson are huntin& "hen they hear a rattlin& of the #ush' They #oth
shoot in the irection of the #ush an en up shootin& ,u66ers' )nly one of the t"o
hunters is responsi#le for the har6 #ut ,u66ers cannot sho" "ho it is' Cannot use #ut for
or su#stantial factor test'
<-= ;actors for application:
<a=


<#=


<c=


<:=



' Market share lia#ility:
<-=




<:= Court uses several lia#ility:
E1A.$)E: Co6pany A ha -NO of relevant 6arket7 "ill pay -NO of the plaintiff$s
a6a&es unless it can sho" that it coul not have 6ae the prouct that cause the
plaintiff$s har6'
2. $roximate 6)e&al7 Cause
-' 5nforeseeable extent of arm:
a'



E1A.$)E: .ella is rivin& ne&li&ently an collies "ith an totals Po6paour$s Ca&uar'
.efenant says 6ost people rive ol Toyotas "orth M-F7NNN' ,he "ill pay M-F7NNN7 not
M-NN7NNN suffere' This "ill not hol'
#' E&&shell ,kull +ule:



E1A.$)E: If Porter ha a preisposition for #rittle #one isease an .uane collies "ith
hi6' (or6ally M-NN "orth of har67 #ut Porter suffers M-NN7NNN "orth of har6' .uane is on
the hook for the full e9tent of the in%ury'
:' 5nforeseeable type of arm
a' 2se a rule of foreseea#ility or the risk rule:





E1A.$)E: .o6 ne&li&ently leaves a %ar of rat poison ne9t to the stove "ith all of the other
spices' Prissy is usin& the stove an the heat fro6 the stove interacts "ith the rat poison in
a "ay that the %ar heats up an #eco6es a 6issile' ,6ashes into chanelier7 #reakin& it
an causin& M:N7NNN "orth of a6a&e' .o6$s la"yer coul ar&ue that even thou&h .o6
o"e a uty to Prissy7 an that he acte unreasona#ly7 this is not the foreseea#le type of
in%ury' The foreseea#le in%ury "oul #e in&estin& the rat poison'
A' 5nforeseeable manner of arm
a' Supersedin& Cause:




#' Culpability:



E1A.$)E: .ora ne&li&ently fails to provie aequate locks on the front oor of the apart6ent
#uilin&' Pav is in%ure "hen he is 6u&&e in the launry roo6' ,ues .ora clai6in& she o"e
hi6 a uty' Even thou&h there "as intervenin& cri6inal conuct7 it "ill not #e supersein&
#ecause the har6 "as foreseea#le #ase on the risk of the efenant'
E1A.$)E: .unCo is a construction co6pany' In violation of statute7 they have a "orksite
that oes not have a #arricae or fla&&ers to control traffic in the area' Pro#a#ly ne&li&ent
per se #ecause Parker7 a "orker7 is in%ure #y a car that ens up on the "orksite' The facts
sho" that the car is #ein& riven #y Xena7 "ho is the e9-"ife of Parker' ,he intentionally
runs hi6 over' Type of har6 you can foresee is a car rivin& onto the site7 in%urin& the
"orker' .unCo "oul successfully ar&ue that they "ere not the pro9i6ate cause #ecause
Xena is a supersein& cause'
E1A.$)E: Parker is taken to the hospital7 &oes into sur&ery an #ecause .octor co66its
6alpractice7 he suffers an e9tra M-NN7NNN "orth of har6' .octor is lia#le7 #oth .unCo an
Xena are #oth causes-in-fact' Will #e lia#le as pro9i6ate cause'
c' ,u#sequent ne&li&ent conuct is &enerally not so unforeseea#le that it cuts off lia#ility'
<-=


E1A.$)E: If .octor ecies to intentionally chop of Parker$s le& "hen he is in sur&ery
follo"in& the accient7 .unCo an Xena "ill not #e lia#le' Too freakish7 une9pecte
an #i8arre7 an "ill cut off lia#ility'
H($OTHETICA)
.ana ne&li&ently operates her auto an strikes Porter7 in%urin& hi6' Porter7 "hose le& is
#roken fro6 the accient7 is taken to a near#y hospital' While he is #ein& treate for his
#roken le&7 there is an earthquake that causes the roof to collapse' A section of the roof
strikes Porter on the hea7 causin& a concussion'
Is 'ana liable for $orter3s ead in8ury,






;)+E,EEA?*E
2(;)+E,EEA?*E
<I'E'7 ,2PE+,E.I(0=
Effect
Chain of pro9i6ate causation un#rokenE
ori&inal efenant re6ains lia#le'
Chain of pro9i6ate causation #rokenE
ori&inal efenant$s lia#ility cut off for
consequences of anteceent conuct'
Typical
E9a6ples
,u#sequent 6eical 6alpractice7
incluin& a&&ravation of plaintiff$s
conition'
Cri6inal acts an intentional torts or torts of
thir parties7 #ut only "here they are
unforeseea#le uner the facts or
circu6stances'
,u#sequent isease or accient7 incluin&
all illnesses an in%uries resultin& fro6
plaintiff$s "eakene conition7 #ut not
ealy7 rare iseases'
/i&hly e9traorinary har6 arisin& fro6
efenant$s conuct7 as vie"e #y the court7
incluin& &rossly ne&li&ent conuct of thir
parties'
(e&li&ent rescue efforts' 2nforeseea#le acts of 0o'
/. 'ama&es
-'


a' There 6ust #e a co&ni8a#le in%ury'
<-=


<:=


E1A.$)E: 1et ne&li&ently neuters a o& a&ainst the plaintiff$s "ishes' Court "ill not
allo" the plaintiff to recover #ecause this is not a co&ni8a#le in%ury' The plaintiff "as
not plannin& to #ree or sho" the o&7 so the plaintiff suffere no in%ury'
:' Compensatory dama&es
a'


#' Three rules:
<-=


<:=


<A=


c' T"o cate&ories
<-= ,pecial a6a&es:





E1A.$)E: If a four-year-ol chil is in%ure in a "ay that "ill not allo" the6 to "ork
ever a&ain7 "e 6ust speculate as to "hat his lost "a&es "oul have #een for the rest
of his life'
<a= Collateral ,ource +ule:





<:= 0eneral a6a&es:




' Avoia#le Consequences +ule <to #e iscusse in 6ore etail uner G.efensesH=:



A' $uniti%e 'ama&es
a' (ever recovera#le %ust for ne&li&ent conuct' .efenant has to #e 6ore culpa#le than
ne&li&ent'
<-=


#' )ften calle e9e6plary a6a&es'
<-=



c' Wealth of efenant is hi&hly relevant'
<-=


<:=



?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion A
;rank receive a ne" sno"6o#ile for Christ6as' The first "eek of Canuary7 a sno" stor6 rops a foot of
ne" sno" in the 6ountains' ;rank ecies to take his ne" sno"6o#ile out for a spin' /e is 6ovin& 6uch
too fast "hen he co6es over a rise an sees another sno"6o#ile irectly in front of hi6' /e s"erves to
avoi the other sno"6o#ile #ut loses control' /is sno"6o#ile crashes into the other sno"6o#ile'
;ortunately7 /ans7 the river of the other sno"6o#ile7 is not in%ure7 #ut his sno"6o#ile has #een
renere inopera#le' ;rank$s sno"6o#ile still runs7 so he &oes for help "hile /ans stays #ehin "ith his
a6a&e sno"6o#ile' While /ans "aits for ;rank to return7 a lar&e #ranch of a near#y tree snaps uner
the "ei&ht of the heavy7 ne" sno"' The #ranch falls an hits /ans7 causin& /ans to #reak his collar-#one
an left ar6'
If /ans sues ;rank for these in%uries7 ;rank$s #est efense "oul #e
A= that he "as not ne&li&ent'
?= that /ans "as ne&li&ent in stanin& near a tree "ith sno"-laen #ranches'
C= that the fallin& tree #ranch "as an intervenin& an supersein& force'
.= that his ne&li&ent conuct "as not the actual cause of /ans$s in%uries'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion D
In orer to facilitate street cleanin&7 the Metropolis city council passe an orinance #arrin& 6otori8e
vehicles fro6 rivin& throu&h the city center fro6 F a'6' to I a'6' on Tuesays' )ne Tuesay7 the
efenant7 "ho is a resient of another city7 "as speein& throu&h the Metropolis city center at F:AN
a'6'7 "hen he hit a peestrian' The efenant i not kno" a#out the orinance' The peestrian has
sue the efenant on a ne&li&ence cause of action'
What is the 6ost likely result?
A= The peestrian "ill prevail7 #ecause the efenant violate the orinance #y rivin& throu&h the
city center at F:AN a'6' on a Tuesay'
?= The peestrian "ill prevail7 #ecause the efenant faile to act reasona#ly uner the
circu6stances'
C= The peestrian "ill not prevail7 #ecause the efenant i not kno" a#out the orinance'
.= The peestrian "ill not prevail #ecause the local orinance "ill not esta#lish the stanar of care'
H. 'efenses to #e&li&ence
-' Contributory #e&li&ence and Comparati%e 2ault
a' .efenant has the #uren of proof to sho" that:



#' The eter6ination the le&al effect of the plaintiff$s contri#utory ne&li&ence epens on the
%urisiction'
<-=



<a= 2ner contri#utory ne&li&ence:



E1A.$)E: If Perfection "as ee6e -O at fault an .ia#lo LLO of fault an
Perfection sues .ia#lo7 uner contri#utory ne&li&ence7 the fact that Perfection "as
-O at fault "oul #ar recovery'
<#= Co6parative fault reuces the plaintiff$s recovery'
-= Pure co6parative fault:




E1A.$)E: If plaintiff is KNO at fault an suffers M-NN7NNN "orth of a6a&es7
plaintiff "ill recover M:N7NNN fro6 ne&li&ent efenant'
:= Moifie co6parative fault:




E1A.$)E: If plaintiff is INO at fault7 they "ill #e #arre fro6 recovery' If
plaintiff is DNO at fault7 the plaintiff "oul recover INO of her a6a&es'
<c= The last clear chance octrine is &enerally &oin& to #e the "ron& ans"er'
c' Co6parative ;ault:






:' Assumption of Ris!
a' E9press assu6ption of the risk arises "here:




<-= 1oi a&ainst pu#lic policy "hen ealin& "ith a necessity'
H($OTHETICA)
As a conition of entry to ski at .un$s ,ki *o&e7 Mary si&ns a "aiver statin& that she
"ill relieve .un of ne&li&ence lia#ility' Marion .un7 in a 6o6ent of spite7 sprays o"n a
section of sno" to 6ake it icy "hile perfor6in& her uties as a slope &roo6er7
not"ithstanin& her supervisor$s repeate "arnin&s to her not to o so' Mary slips on
the ice an #reaks her le&'
Has se assumed te ris! of er in8ury,






#' Plaintiff 6ay also i6pliely assu6e the risk'
<-= Plaintiff is #arre fro6 recovery or recovery is reuce uner the assu6ption of the
risk octrine if efenant esta#lishes that:
<a=


<#=


<c=


E1A.$)E: Plato &ets in the car "ith .ickens' .ickens s6ells of alcohol an there is
tequila in the car' .ickens crashes the car an Plato is in%ure' .ickens can ar&ue
that Plato electe to &et into a car "ith a runk river an assu6e the risk'
c' Assu6ption of the risk is a su#%ective focus "hile contri#utory ne&li&ence an co6parative
fault is an o#%ective focus'
E1A.$)E: ?oth .ickens an Plato are into9icate' This "oul #e relevant to Plato$s
assu6ption of the risk' There "oul #e no assu6ption of the risk7 #ut there "oul #e
co6parative fault'
' Professional rescuers <;irefi&hter +ule=:





E1A.$)E: .orkus is s6okin& in #e an falls asleep an his house catches on fire' ;rancine
;irefi&hter suffers s6oke inhalation "hen fi&htin& the fire an sues .orkus for ne&li&ence'
2ner the rule7 she "ill not #e allo"e to recover #ecause she assu6e the risk since it is
part of her %o#'
e' Pri6ary assu6ption of the risk:




E1A.$)E: Pa9ton ecies to play #asket#all an &ets trippe an in%ure #y .uncan' If
Pa9ton sues .uncan7 uner pri6ary assu6ption of the risk7 courts "oul say that an
inherent risk is that another player 6i&ht #e ne&li&ent' In a&reein& to play7 you have
relieve .uncan of the uty to #e non-ne&li&ent'
A' A%oidable conse9uences:
a'



E1A.$)E: .re" ne&li&ently in%ures Polly7 causin& M-N7NNN "orth of a6a&es #ut Polly
refuses to seek 6eical help an her a6a&es &o fro6 M-N7NNN to M-NN7NNN7 .re" can say
he oes not o"e the e9tra MLN7NNN'
#' )ften arises "here:




?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion F
Crossin& a #usy street at ni&ht7 a "alker faile to look #efore crossin& an faile to use a clearly 6arke
cross"alk FN feet a"ay' The place "here the "alker crosse shoul have #een #ri&htly lit7 #ut it "as
ark' The local county7 "here the "alker "as crossin&7 ne&li&ently faile to replace a street li&ht espite
several notifications fro6 local citi8ens' While crossin&7 the "alker "as struck #y a river7 "ho "as
e9ceein& the spee li6it'
The "alker sue the river an the county in the state of X7 "here the accient occurre' The state of X
has a pure co6parative ne&li&ence statute an provies #oth for %oint an several lia#ility of %oint
tortfeasors an for contri#ution a6on& %oint tortfeasors #ase upon co6parative fault'
The %ury has eter6ine that the "alker suffere M:NN7NNN in a6a&es' It also eter6ine that the "alker
"as DN percent at fault7 the county "as -N percent at fault7 an the river "as FN percent at fault'
What is the a6ount of a6a&es for "hich the county is lia#le?
A= (othin&7 #ecause the "alker "as 6ore ne&li&ent than the county'
?= M:N7NNN7 #ecause the county "as -N percent ne&li&ent'
C= M-:N7NNN7 #ut the county can collect M-NN7NNN fro6 the river if it pays the entire a6ount'
.= M-:N7NNN7 #ut the county can collect MIN7NNN fro6 the river if it pays the entire a6ount'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion I
)ne "inter 6ornin&7 Can neee to &et to the airport7 so she calle a ca#' .ue to the ice on the roas7
traffic "as terri#le' With less than an hour #efore her fli&ht7 Can offere Carl the ca# river an aitional
MFN if he "oul Gfin so6e "ay to spee up an &et her to the airport'H Carl #e&an to "eave in an out of
traffic' Carl lost control of the ca# an crashe into another car' .an7 a peestrian7 sa" the accient an
atte6pte to help' As .an "as atte6ptin& to help Carl out of the ca#7 .an slippe an #roke his le&'
.i Carl o"e .an a uty of care?
A= 3es7 .an7 as a rescuer "as o"e an inepenent uty of care'
?= 3es7 #ecause it "as foreseea#le that .an coul #e in%ure'
C= (o7 #ecause .an assu6e the risk of in%ury "hen he atte6pte the rescue'
.= (o7 #ecause .an$s ne&li&ence "ill #ar his clai6'
III' ,T+ICT *IA?I*IT3
A. 'efinition
CA( +EC)1E+ A?,E(T P+)); ); ;A2*T )( T/E PA+T ); .'


-. Cate&ories
-' $ossession of animals
a' Wil Ani6al +ule:
I; @EEP, A WI*. A(IMA* A(. T/E I, I(C2+E. ?C T/AT WI*. A(IMA* .)E, ,)MET/I(0
T/AT$, A AP+T ); IT, C/A+ACTE+I,TIC7 I, ,T+IC*T *IA?*E A, T/E @EEPE+7 () MATTE+
/)W 2(;)+E,EEA?*E T/E /A+M I, T/AT )CC2+,'




E1A.$)E: .a6ian has a pet ti&er' /as al"ays #een &entle7 #ut Pa9ton is visitin& an the
ti&er #ites off his han' (o 6atter ho" unforeseea#le7 .a6ian is lia#le'
#' .o6estic Pet +ule:
)(E ;+EE ?ITE +2*E4A?,E(T A P7 T/E C)MM)( *AW: @EEPE+ I,(T *IA?*E 2(*E,,
@()W, )+ ,/)2*. @()W ); IT, .A(0E+)2, P+)PE(,IT3'



:' Abnormally dan&erous acti%ities
a' An activity is a#nor6ally an&erous "hen:
A( E1ITA?*E /I0/ +I,@ ); ,E+I)2, /A+ME ()T A C)MM)( ACTI1IT3'


E1A.$)E: ?lastin& or yna6ite7 crop ustin&7 transportin& to9ic "aste7 fu6i&atin&'
#' $laintiff can reco%er *en:




<-= $roximate cause issue:



E1A.$)E: (e6o is #lastin& an the noise freaks out the 6inks on Pierre$s 6ink far6 to
the point that the 6other 6inks start to eat their kittens' Pierre is upset an sues
(e6o an says strict lia#ility' Althou&h (e6o "as #lastin&7 this is an&erous #ecause
it causes e#ris an estruction7 not #ecause it causes 6inks to eat their kittens' (ot
a#nor6ally an&erous' Pierre can only recover upon proof of fault'
H($OTHETICA)
.inah Mite7 an e9plosives ealer7 accientally rops a pallet of #o9es containin&
e9plosives on Patella7 #reakin& her le& an pinnin& her to the &roun' Accient
investi&ators on the scene later that ay are in%ure "hen one of the esta#ili8e
e9plosives etonates'
Is 'ina potentially sub8ect to strict liability for $atella3s in8ury, 2or te accident in%esti&ators,






C. 'efenses
-' Contributory #e&li&ence
a' M?E +ule:




E1CE$TIO#:





Example: Par6 is rivin& on the hi&h"ay an he is listenin& to the raio "hen he sees a si&n
that says G.an&er: ?lastin&4Turn off your raioH that .ynaco ha poste' Par6 i not
turn off his raio' There is an e9plosion an he sues .ynaco in strict lia#ility' They can
assert a efense that he kne" of the an&er' If Par6 "ere speein& an i not see the
si&n7 he &ets full recovery'
I1' P+).2CT, *IA?I*IT3
#OTE: This is not the na6e of a tort7 #ut an area of tort lia#ility "here the plaintiff is
in%ure ue to prouct relate har6' *e&al theories: ne&li&ence7 #reach of "arranty7
strict proucts lia#ility'
A. Strict $roducts )iability in Tort
-' ;ocus is on:



:' There are ei&ht ele6ents of strict proucts lia#ility'
a' $roper plaintiff
<-=




E1A.$)E: Arlene #uys a chainsa" 6anufacture #y .iceCo' Arlene lens it to her
nei&h#or ?rian' /e lens it to Placio' Placio suffers in%ury ue to a efect' As a user7
Placio can sue .iceCo in strict proucts lia#ility' If his "ife is in%ure as a #ystaner7
she can sue .iceCo as "ell'
#' $roper 'efendant
<-=



<a= This inclues:



<#= This oes not inclue:




E1A.$)E: If .uncan sells a chainsa" at a &ara&e sale an Placio is in%ure7
.uncan cannot #e sue'
c' $roper Context for Strict $roducts )iability
<-=



<:= When there is #oth a service an a prouct:





E1A.$)E: Pruence &oes into efenant$s #eauty salon an "ants a per6' 1alente
chooses a per6 6anufacture #y .unCo an applies it to Pruence' Pruence &oes
#al an sues 1alente in strict lia#ility' Court says that the prouct preo6inates an
1alente can #e a proper efenant in strict proucts lia#ility' .ifferent fro6 a entist
usin& a efective neele to a6inister (ovocain'
' 'efect
<-= Al6ost all %urisictions i6pose strict lia#ility "here a prouct is Gin a efective
conition unreasona#ly an&erous'H
<a= ;or6ulations of lia#ility occur uner three cate&ories of efects:
-= .anufacturin& 'efect
a=



E1A.$)E: Toe in the che"in& to#acco'
#= Plaintiff 6ust sho" that:






:= 'esi&n defects
a=




E1A.$)E: ;or Pinto' .ue to the place6ent of the &as tank7 it "oul
e9ploe upon 6inor collision' ;or esi&ne the car this "ay7 #ut it "as
still faulty'
#= )rinary Consu6er E9pectation Test:






E1A.$)E: Plaintiff is in%ure "hen he is at his "orkplace usin& safety
&o&&les' The &o&&les only protect the front7 #ut not the sie' Plaintiff is
"elin& an a piece of 6etal flies into his eye' ,ues for a esi&n efect7
sayin& that it shoul have protecte the sie' Plaintiff loses uner this
approach' )rinary consu6er "oul not e9pect sie protection'
c= +isk-2tility ?alancin& Test:







i= A prouct$s esi&n is usually efective uner this test if:




E1A.$)E: .eath Trap Motors ecies to 6arket a car calle the
,tallion' .esi&ne to #e li&ht"ei&ht an fuel efficient an places the
&as tank in a location7 encase in li&ht 6etal' Pon #uys a ,tallion an
is rivin& "hen he is rear-ene at F 6ph' ,tallion e9ploes an Pon
is severely in%ure' Proper efenant7 plaintiff7 prouct' +isk-utility
#alancin&46ust sho" risk of placin& &as tank out"ei&hs utility an
that there is so6e reasona#le alternative esi&n'
= ,o6e proucts are e9e6pt fro6 #ein& foun efective in esi&n uner
strict proucts lia#ility uner Co66ent @:



E1A.$)ES: 1accines7 prescription ru&s
A= Absence of "arnin&s
a= A plaintiff is assertin& either:
i=


a.


b.




E1A.$)E: .unCo 6anufactures rat poison an it puts on the
prouct a skull an cross#ones an it says G.an&er4@eep )ut of
+each of Chilren'H Chil thinks it is pirate foo7 eats it an ies'
Warnin& coul #e 6ae #etter'
ii=


a.




b.


E1A.$)E: +at Pro#e Inc' 6akes an )TC "ei&ht loss 6eication
calle Wei&ht-)ff' Plasha"n is shoppin& at Tar&et7 #uys it7 uses it an
suffers a stroke' There is a risk of stroke in people "ith hi&h #loo
pressure "ho use this prouct' Can sue +at Pro#e an Tar&et if he
can sho" that +at Pro#e kne" or shoul have kno"n that there "as
this risk'
e' Cause4in42act
<-=




f' $roximate Cause
<-=


E1A.$)E: Manufacturer 6i9es &asoline an kerosene an sells to a phar6acy'
Phar6acy iscovers the 6i9ture an calls the 6anufacturer an alerts the6' Par6ette
co6es in an #uys the 6i9ture' ,he is in%ure an sues the 6anufacturer' The
phar6acy$s act is supersein& cause'
<:= *earne Inter6eiary .octrine:





&' 'ama&es
<-= May #e recovere "hen:



<:= Where the har6 is only to the prouct itself:




H($OTHETICA)
.unCo sells a efective truck to Paco' ?ecause of the efect7 one 6ornin&7 Paco cannot
&et the truck to start an thus is una#le to 6ake his scheule eliveries7 causin& hi6
to lose M-N7NNN'
.ay $aco pursue a strict product liability action,






h' 'efenses
<-= .isuse
<a=



Example: Parva stans on a chair 6anufacture #y .unCo to reach a pot in her
kitchen' The chair collapses uner her' While sittin& is the intene use of a chair7
it is foreseea#le that a person "oul stan on a chair7 an thus7 there is no
6isuse'
Example: Plaintiff contracts a rash after Cello "restlin& an sues' Wrestlin& in Cello is
not the intene use of the prouct7 Misuse7 prouct not efective7 no recovery'
<:= Alteration
<a=



<A= Assumption of te Ris!
<a=



E1A.$)E: .u6ont 6anufactures a T1' Pan is "atchin& T1 an it is the final
6o6ents of the final episoe of A6erican Iol' Pan sees that the T1 is s6okin&
an sparkin&7 #ut refuses to turn it off' T1 e9ploes an #urns a carpet an the
sofa' Pan sues7 .u6ont can assert assu6ption of risk' If he i not see the s6oke
an sparks7 no assu6ption of risk'
-. $roduct )iability on a #e&li&ence Teory
-' Any foreseea#le plaintiff is entitle to #rin& an action'
:' Analy8e the conuct of each efenant an ask "hether it "as reasona#le'
a' .ifferentiate fro6 strict proucts lia#ility7 "hich consiers the prouct rather than the person'
A'
Res ipsa loquitur
takes the place of a 6anufacturin& efect in ne&li&ence theory'
D' (e&li&ence efenses apply'
C. $roducts )iability on a "arranty Teory
-' An express *arranty e9ists "here:





E1A.$)E: At a &ara&e sale7 .u6a tells Xaviera that the knife she is #uyin& is rust-proof' It ens
up rustin& an her hus#an is in%ure' /e can sue .u6a for #reach of e9press "arranty'
:' An implied *arranty
a' Warranty of Merchanta#ility
<-=




<:= There are privity an notice require6ents'
<A= Can #e isclai6e'
A' Where the har6 is to the prouct itself7 the only clai6 a plaintiff can pursue is a clai6 for
#reach of "arranty'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion J
A-)ne ?icycles has #een 6akin& the #est #icycles aroun for three &enerations' Mitchell7 the &ranson of
the founer of A-)ne7 takes &reat prie in the quality of A-)ne$s #icycles' Mitchell personally supervises
the asse6#ly line ei&ht hours a ay to ensure quality7 so that he can 6aintain his reputation in the
inustry' .espite Mitchell$s careful inspections7 Mitchell is una"are that the #icycle seats that he &ets
fro6 ?ike Co6ponents 2nli6ite are havin& pro#le6s' They fall off "hen anyone over -FN pouns sits
on the6' A-)ne sells its #icycles throu&h the retailer7 ?ike Mart7 a6on& others' Phister #uys an A-)ne
#ike fro6 his local ?ike Mart' Phister takes the #ike out for a spin7 an as he 6akes his first turn onto a
#usy street7 the seat falls off' Phister falls in front of onco6in& traffic an is severely in%ure' Phister sues
?ike Mart an A-)ne in strict prouct lia#ility'
Which of the follo"in& is true?
A= Phister cannot recover a&ainst ?ike Mart7 #ecause it sol the #ike e9actly as it receive it'
?= Phister shoul not prevail a&ainst A-)ne7 #ecause it e9ercise ue care an the faulty #ike seat
"as ?ike Co6ponents$ fault'
C= Phister shoul prevail a&ainst A-)ne7 re&arless of "hether A-)ne or ?ike Co6ponents introuce
the efect'
.= Phister shoul not prevail a&ainst ?ike Mart #ut shoul prevail a&ainst A-)ne7 #ecause A-)ne
6anufacture the #icycle'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion K
Marlin o"ns a ranch on "hich he takes care of ani6als that have #een retire fro6 sho" #usiness' +anch
resients inclue a lion7 a ti&er7 an t"o #ro"n #ears' Marlin atte6pts to provie the appropriate ha#itat
for each type of ani6al7 6uch like a 8oo' )ne ay7 to his is6ay7 he iscovers that the #ro"n #ears have
so6eho" 6ana&e to escape' Marlin i66eiately #e&ins telephonin& the o"ners of the properties
a%oinin& his ranch to "arn the6 a#out the escape #ears' The first nei&h#or he calls is Potter7 "ho o"ns
a ranch irectly to the "est of Marlin$s' Potter keeps #ees on his lan to prouce honey' /is #eehives are
so6e istance fro6 his house #ut visi#le fro6 his kitchen "ino"' While Potter is speakin& to Marlin7 he
chances to look out the "ino" %ust in ti6e to see t"o #ears flattenin& his pri8e #eehives' After a sli&ht
pause7 he says7 G2h7 Marlin7 I kno" "here your #ears are'H
If Potter sues Marlin for the a6a&e to his #eehives cause #y the #ears7 he "ill 6ost likely
A= prevail7 #ut only if Potter i not provoke the #ears in any "ay'
?= prevail7 if Marlin faile to e9ercise the appropriate stanar of care in confinin& the #ears'
C= prevail uner a theory of strict lia#ility'
.= prevail if he can e6onstrate that he "as not ne&li&ent in the 6aintenance of his #eehives'
1' (2I,A(CE
A. Types of #uisance
-' $ublic #uisance
a' A pu#lic nuisance is:



#' Typically #rou&ht #y a &overn6ent actor such as an Attorney 0eneral'
<-= To recover a6a&es in an iniviual action for a pu#lic nuisance:




E1A.$)E: .isney is &oin& to place a #ill#oar on a country street' The si&n has #ri&ht
li&hts an plays the son& GIt$s a ,6all WorlH over an over' Creates a hu&e traffic
pro#le6' This "oul #e a pu#lic nuisance'
E1A.$)E: Pana runs a nursin& ho6e an those "ho live there cannot sleep ue to the
constant 6usic'
:' $ri%ate #uisance
a' A private nuisance is:




#' Mental state:





E1A.$)E: .unCo o"ns a feelot in the esert that s6ells' )n certain ays7 the "in "ill
#lo" the s6ell to"ars a housin& co66unity that "as constructe near#y' Petasha7 "ho
lives there7 is revolte an asks .unCo to o so6ethin& a#out it' If .unCo oesn$t shut
o"n the feelot7 they are en&a&in& in intentional conuct'
c' There are five factors to consier "hen eter6inin& "hether a nuisance is a su#stantial an
unreasona#le interference'
<-=


<:=


<A=


<D=


<F=


E1A.$)E: .unCo$s feelot "as there first' /o" value is their activity? Where else can
they &o7 ho" can they 6ini6i8e the har6? /o" si&nificant is the in%ury?
A' Remedies
a' In%unction
<-= To &et an in%unction7 the plaintiff 6ust persuae a %u&e that:
<a=


<#=


<:= A %u&e 6ust o a #alancin& of the equities to eter6ine "hether the plaintiff is
entitle to equita#le relief'
1I' .E;AMATI)(
A. ;or a efa6ation action:




-. In analy8in& an action for efa6ation7 one 6ust check for:
-' 'efamatory messa&e
a' A 6essa&e is efa6atory if it:




E1A.$)E: Accusin& so6eone of a heinous cri6e or of cheatin& on an e9a6'
#' The state6ent 6ust #e one "hich can #e #elieve to #e truthful an reputation-har6in&'
<-=


<:=


E1A.$)E: *a" school paper says that the foo in the stuent center has &one fro6 #a
to "orse' This is opinion an cannot #e efa6atory' If it says that it #elieves that "eek-
ol ve&eta#les are use in the foo7 even thou&h it is couche in opinion lan&ua&e7 it
can #e proven true or false'
c' Must #e efa6atory in the eyes of a reputa#le &roup'
E1A.$)E: If the (a8i party paper pu#lishes an article that says Prussia thinks that /itler
"as a horri#le person an Prussia is a prou neo-(a8i7 the court "ill not uphol this as
efa6ation'
:' $leadin& problems
a' Where the plaintiff is not na6e7 they 6ust alle&e that it is of or concernin& her'
E1A.$)E: *a" school paper pu#lishes an article sayin& that the fe6ale torts professor has
#een arreste for #ank ro##ery' Professor Pain& can sue that it is of an concernin& her
#ecause she is the only fe6ale torts professor an people "ill associate her "ith the
state6ent'
#' A lar&e &roup cannot #e efa6e'
E1A.$)E: Article is pu#lishe sayin& that toay$s la"yers are unethical7 &reey s"ine7
there can #e no efa6ation clai6'
<-= In a s6all &roup7 every 6e6#er can #rin& a clai6'
E1A.$)E: If an article says that one of the survivin& ?eatles has #een arreste for
ealin& crack cocaine7 Paul an +in&o can #oth #rin& an action for efa6ation'
c' ,o6e state6ents 6ay not #e efa6atory on its face'
E1A.$)E: Ac6e *a" ,chool ean is 6arryin& Cane .oe' This is not efa6atory on its face7
#ut other facts 6ay 6ake it so7 such as the ean alreay #ein& 6arrie'
A' $ublication
a' Pu#lication 6eans:



#' Plaintiff 6ust sho":




H($OTHETICA)
.ina sens a seale letter to Paykta7 accusin& her of plottin& a 6urer' The letter is
opene #y Paykta$s ne"7 very nosy roo66ate' The follo"in& "eek7 .ina sens a postcar
to Paykta containin& the sa6e accusation'
"ill $ay!ta be successful in a defamation action for te letter, for te postcard,






c' +epu#lication +ule:




D' Type of defamation and dama&es
a' )ibel efinition:




<-= +eputational har6 is presu6e an a6a&es o not have to #e prove'
#' Slander efinition:




<-= ;or plaintiffs to recover for efa6ation:




<a= Exceptions are calle slander per se:
-=




:=




A=




D=




F' Common la* $ri%ile&es
a' Trut
<-= /istorically:




<:= Toay:




#' Absolute $ri%ile&e
<-=



<:= Conte9ts in "hich a#solute privile&e applies:
<a=


<#=


<c=


<=


E1A.$)E: Con&ress6an .oofus stans up on the floor of the le&islature an says
Gpeople7 like 6y opponent in 6y last race7 "ho are chil 6olesters shoul #e in
%ail'H A#solute privile&e applies7 no lia#ility'
E1A.$)E: )n cross-e9a6ination of a "itness7 attorney asks the "itness if they are
still a 6e6#er of the (a8i party' A#solute privile&e applies7 no lia#ility'
<A= Privile&e ens if so6eone repeats the efa6atory state6ent in a non-privile&e
situation'
c' :ualified $ri%ile&e
<-= .efenant loses an other"ise availa#le qualifie privile&e if:
<a=


<#=


<c=


<:= 0ives &reater lee"ay to speech7 #ut qualifie #ecause they can #e lost'
E1A.$)E: If X &ets a call a#out a %o# reference for stuent A7 #ut X &ives a horri#le
reco66enation #ecause he is thinkin& of stuent ?' A sues X for efa6ation'
>ualifie privile&e applies #ecause the infor6ation is of interest to a thir person7 #ut
the privile&e is lost if X is ne&li&ent or reckless as to the truth of the infor6ation or if
the infor6ation is pu#lishe'
I' Constitutional Issues
a' Prior to -LID7 there "as no ;irst A6en6ent issue efa6ation an efa6ation "as a strict
lia#ility tort'
#' ,ince (3 Ti6es v' ,ullivan7 four questions are consiere:
<-=


<:=


<A=


<D=


c' Pu#lic official:





H($OTHETICA)
The .aily falsely states in an article that Mayor Pacher has #een e6#e88lin& funs' They
#ase this on a source they ha use #efore7 "ho ha prove to #e relia#le'
"ill $acer be able to reco%er for defamation,






' Pu#lic fi&ure:




<-= All purpose pu#lic fi&ures:



<:= *i6ite pu#lic fi&ures:




e' Private fi&ure:




<-= Pu#lic concern:





<a= Presu6e or punitive a6a&es:



<:= Private concern:




1II' I(1A,I)( ); P+I1AC3
A. Intrusion into Seclusion
-'



a' .oes not require any pu#lication of infor6ation'
#' Invasion 6ust #e one in a "ay that is:



E1A.$)E: Eavesroppin&7 "iretappin&7 stalkin&' ,o6ethin& visi#le in pu#lic is not a &roun
for intrusion'
:' .a6a&es recovera#le for invasion of seclusion inclue:




-. Commercial Appropriation of Identity or )i!eness
-'



a' The "ron&ful use of plaintiff$s ientity or likeness 6ust #e use:



E1A.$)E: .uncan is the eitor of ,ports Toay 6a&a8ine' Wants to pu#lish an article a#out
#ase#all star Paco an sens a "riter to intervie" hi6' Takes a picture in "hich Paco is
holin& a can of .rek soa' .rek uses the picture to start an a ca6pai&n' Paco sues ,ports
Toay an .rek' Paco "ill lose a&ainst ,ports Toay #ut "ill "in his suit a&ainst .rek'
C. $ublic 'isclosure of $ri%ate True 2acts
-' Plaintiff 6ust prove four ele6ents:
a'


#'


c'


'


:' *ook for the passa&e of ti6e'
A' (ee so6e sort of pu#lication or isse6ination of infor6ation'
D' In%unction 6i&ht #e possi#le since the infor6ation is truthful'
a' (ot &rante to en%oin efa6atory speech since it is false'
F' Constitutional issues:
a'



H($OTHETICA)
Paul7 a hi&hly respecte Washin&ton la"yer7 is /I1-positive' )nly a fe" fa6ily 6e6#ers
kno" of his conition' In an effort to #rin& /I1-positive iniviuals to the pu#lic$s
attention7 his #rother sens an e-6ail to all of Paul$s collea&ues revealin& his /I1 status'
'oes $aul a%e a cause of action a&ainst is broter,






'. $ortrayal in a 2alse )i&t
-'




E1A.$)E: ,tatin& falsely that so6eone has cancer or is poor'
:' Plaintiff has to sho":
a'


#'


c'


'


<-= Parallel to efa6ation rules'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion L
0erry an Marcia "ere #oth trial attorneys7 speciali8in& in cri6inal efense' ?oth 0erry an Marcia
attene the annual conference of the country$s lar&est association of cri6inal efense attorneys' The
conference is hel at ifferent sites each year7 an attorneys &ather to iscuss the latest evelop6ents
in cri6inal la"' Althou&h 0erry an Marcia have never 6et7 they are fa6iliar "ith one another
professionally' At a reception hel urin& the conference7 0erry approache Marcia' 0erry sai7 GMarcia7
I$ve a6ire your "ork for so6e ti6e' I$6 openin& an office in your state' Perhaps "e coul pool our
resources an #eco6e the 6ost po"erful attorneys in the state'H Marcia replie7 GI "ill never "ork "ith
you' 3ou$re an unethical lo"-life'H ,everal other la"yers "ho happene to #e near#y overhear Marcia$s
reply'
Will 0erry succee in a efa6ation suit a&ainst Marcia?
A= (o7 #ecause there "as no pu#lication'
?= (o7 #ecause only Marcia an 0erry "ere parties to the conversation'
C= 3es7 if Marcia kne" the co66ent "oul #e overhear'
.= 3es7 if it "as reasona#ly foreseea#le that the co66ent "oul #e overhear #y so6eone'
?A+ EXAM APP*ICATI)(
>uestion -N
The 0otha6 .aily Tattler7 a ta#loi ne"spaper7 reporte that .aniel Mel7 a #illionaire real estate
eveloper an casino 6o&ul "ho "as consierin& runnin& for Presient7 ha recently #een treate for
chronic alcoholis6 in an inpatient clinic affiliate "ith 0otha6$s lar&est hospital' In fact7 Mel ha
uner&one a series of cos6etic proceures in orer to enhance his chances of "innin& his party$s
no6ination an7 ulti6ately7 the presiency' T"o ays after the story #roke7 ,enator Cohn ?lutarsky7 the
hi&hest rankin& electe official in Mel$s party7 "hile en&a&e in a fili#uster #e&an reain& the lea
stories fro6 ne"spapers all across the nation7 incluin& the Mel article fro6 the Tattler' ?lutarsky is an
outspoken supporter of Mel$s 6ain rival for the party$s no6ination'
What is the likely result if Mel sues ?lutarsky for efa6ation?
A= ?lutarsky "ill "in7 if he reasona#ly relie on the ne"spaper article'
?= ?lutarsky "ill "in7 #ecause he "as privile&e to 6ake the state6ents'
C= Mel "ill "in7 if can prove actual 6alice'
.= Mel "ill "in7 #ecause the state6ent "as slaner
per se
'
1III' W+)(0;2* I(,TIT2TI)( ); *E0A* P+)CEE.I(0,
A. .alicious $rosecution
-' Malicious prosecution arises "hen:




E1A.$)E: .il#ert is an&ry "ith e9-&irlfrien Petunia' /e reas a#out a #ank ro##ery7 calls the
police an tells the6 that Petunia i it' If she is trie an acquitte7 she can #rin& an action
a&ainst .il#ert for 6alicious prosecution'
-. "ron&ful Institution of Ci%il $roceedin&s
-'


C. Abuse of $rocess
-' A#use of process e9ists "here:





E1A.$)E: .i6 attaches a piece of real property that #elon&s to Pushta' Clai6s he oes it in
orer to preserve it in orer to pay off a %u&6ent' The real reason he oes it is that he kno"s
so6eone else "ants to #uy it7 so he "ants to pull it off the 6arket'
IX' EC)()MIC T)+T,
A. Intentional .isrepresentation 62raud7
-' Plaintiff 6ust prove four ele6ents:
a'


#'


c'


'


:' 0enerally an affir6ative assertion of fact or an act of conceal6ent'
a' ;ailure to isclose infor6ation is not a #asis unless:
<-=


<:=


<A=




<D=




<F=



A' .ental state:
a'



#' ,cienter is present "hen:




E1A.$)E: .inah tells Porter that the corn that she is sellin& hi6 is 0rae A "hen it is 0rae
?' Porter sues for frau' Clearly she intene hi6 to rely7 #ut if .inah accientally looke at
the "ron& invoice7 he "oul lose his frau clai6 #ecause there is no scienter' ,he 6i&ht #e
ne&li&ent'
-. #e&li&ent .isrepresentation
-' 0eneral rule:



E1A.$)E: .unCo eals "ith an&erous che6icals an starts a che6ical fire' To prevent har6 to
#usinesses in the area7 they notify plaintiff to evacuate' Plaintiff loses M-M in #usiness #ecause
they ha to #e shut o"n' Plaintiff sues .unCo an loses' If the fire ha a6a&e plaintiff$s
#uilin&7 then they "oul #e entitle to recover for econo6ic losses that flo" fro6 that'
A' E1CE$TIO# :


E1A.$)E: A la"yer prepares a contract for a client an rafts it ne&li&ently so that the
client loses M-M an the client sues for 6alpractice7 the la"yer cannot avoi lia#ility
#ecause it is purely an econo6ic loss' There is a fiuciary uty'
Accountin& fir6 oes its %o# ne&li&ently an 6isstates the value of the co6pany that hires
the accountin& fir6' If the hirin& co6pany suffers har6 as a result7 they can recover'
:' Who #eyon a party "ho is in privity of contract can recover?
a'




E1A.$)E: If Xero9 hires .eloitte to o an auit #ecause Xero9 "ants to &et a M-NM loan to
fun a ne" prouct line' .eloitte is ne&li&ent an overstates the value of Xero9' ;irst
(ational ?ank7 "ho lens Xero9 M-NM7 "ants to sue .eloitte "hen Xero9 &oes #ankrupt'
?ecause .eloitte kne" they "ere auitin& to #enefit the #anks in to"n an they coul see
the reliance7 a uty is o"e'
#' In the conte9t of la"yer!client relationships:



C. Interference *it Contractual Relations
-' T"o ele6ents:
a'


#'



E1A.$)E: .inCo approaches Xavier Co' an says that they "ant a kin of "i&et' They
kne" that Xavier has a contract "ith Portie Co' to sell all of their "i&ets' .inCo says they
"ill pay Xavier A ti6es the a6ount Portie is payin& an Xavier a&rees' Portie "ill "in if they
sue .inCo'
'. Interference *it $rospecti%e Economic Ad%anta&e
-' This tort protects the pro#a#le Ge9pectancyH interests of future contractual relations of a party'
:' Plaintiff can prevail only #y sho"in& that the efenant:
a'


#'


H($OTHETICA)
.eena really "ants to &et a %o# as an associate at a lar&e Washin&ton la" fir6' ;ro6 a
frien of hers at the fir67 .eena learns that her 6ain co6petitor for the %o# is Paul'
Concerne that Paul "ill #eat her out for the %o#7 .eena starts a ru6or that Paul is
unrelia#le an lie a#out #ein& a6itte to the #ar' Paul oes not &et the %o#'
"ill e a%e a cause of action a&ainst 'eena for interference *it prospecti%e ad%anta&e,






E. In8urious 2alseood 6Trade 'ispara&ement7
-' Plaintiff 6ust prove:
a'


#'



c'


'


E1A.$)E: )"ner of Music Co6pany7 )"en7 is approache #y Connie "ho asks if they have
the ?arry Manilo"!*ay 0a&a uets' )"en says no an Connie asks if Parker +ecors oes'
)"en kno"s that they o7 #ut oes not "ant to &ive the6 #usiness an says no' If Parker
fins out7 they coul recover for in%urious falsehoo'
X' MI,CE**A(E)2, T)+T C)(CEPT,
A. Vicarious )iability
-' Employer+Employee 6Respondeat Superior7
a'



E1A.$)E: 1inny is rivin& a van for .o6ino$s' .rives ne&li&ently an collies "ith Palethia'
1inny is ne&li&ent in scope of e6ploy6ent an Palethia can sue .o6ino$s' ?y virtue of
#ein& an e6ployer7 they are vicariously lia#le'
#' E6ployers can seek ine6nity fro6 e6ployee #ut rarely o so'
c' E6ployers can #e irectly lia#le if they are ne&li&ent in hirin&'
E1A.$)E: If .o6ino$s hire 1inny "hen they kne" that he "as a #a river or faile to o
aequate #ack&roun checks7 they "ill #e irectly lia#le'
' Intentional torts co66itte #y an e6ployee:




<-= E1CE$TIO# :




E1A.$)E: ?ouncer at a #ar co66its a #attery "hen e%ectin& an unruly patron' ?ar
o"ner coul #e vicariously lia#le even thou&h it "as an intentional tort'
:' Independent Contractor
a'



#' Whether a person is an inepenent contractor rather than an e6ployee epens on:





A' $arent+Cild
a'




-. Abatement+Sur%i%al of Action and "ron&ful 'eat
-' Common la*:
a'


:' Sur%i%al Statutes:
a'



A' "ron&ful 'eat Statutes:
a'




D' )oss of Consortium:
a'




E1A.$)E: .eirre is rivin& ne&li&ently an she hits an severely in%ures Poine9ter' /e is
in &reat pain7 is in the hospital for si9 6onths an then ies fro6 the in%uries' /e has a "ife
an 6inor chil' )nce Poine9ter has ie7 the estate can continue his clai6 throu&h a
survival statute' /is "ife can #rin& an action for loss of consortiu6 for the si9 6onths he
"as in the hospital' )nce he ies7 his "ife an chil can #oth #rin& a clai6 for "ron&ful
eath7 suin& for o"n in%uries suffere'