2. Negligence (Breach) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is breach?

A

D’s conduct falls short of level required by applicable standard of care owed to P
- Trier of fact

By preponderance of evidence

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2
Q

How may custom/usage determine negligence?

A

Establishes standard of care

NOT establish breach (NOT conclusive)

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3
Q

How may statutory law determine standard of care?

A

1) P is in protected class of persons
2) Particular harm to be avoided
3) Statute provides criminal penalties

=> Negligence per se;

  • Conclusive presumption of duty + breach (must prove causation + damages) (majority view)
  • Rebuttable presumption of duty + breach (minority view)
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4
Q

What is res ipsa loquitor?

A

Very occurrence of event may tend to establish breach of duty

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5
Q

What is required for res ipsa loquitor to determine breach?

A

1) Inference of negligence: P must establish that accident causing his injury is of type that would not normally occur unless someone was negligent

2) Negligence is attributable to D based on ‘lack’ of direct evidence of D’s action causing injury
- Modern law: D is more likely than not to be negligent
- Common law: D had exclusive control of instrument causing P’s injury

3) P’s lack of ‘voluntary’ contribution towards P’s injury

=> Establishes prima facie case => Directed verdict for Plaintiff/Defendant

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6
Q

How may motion for directed verdict on res ipsa loquitor be determined?

A

By Plaintiff

  • Granted: Negligence per se proven (violation of statute) + NO proximate causation issues
  • Denied: Generally

By Defendant

  • Granted: NO res ipsa loquitor proven + NO evidence of breach
  • Denied: Res ipsa loquitor/other evidence of breach shown
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