Intentional Torts Flashcards
There are three elements for intentional torts. The plaintiff is required to prove that…
(1) The act was voluntary and (2) some relevant level of intent and (3) causation
A voluntary act is…
One where the defendant must ahve the state of mind that directed the physical movement.
Intent, in torts, is when
Defendant acts with the purpose of causing the consequence; OR Defendant acts knowing the consequence is substantially certain to occur.
Consequence means….
the act that constitutes the tort
When we talk about consequence, what matters is that the defendant intended to commit the tort, not necessarily that the defendant intended…
the particular harm that followed.
If they act with the relevant intent, children and mentally incompetent persons (can/cannot) be held liable for intentional torts.
can
The “transferred intent” concept will satisfy the intent requirement of certain torts in three alternate scenarios…what are they?
A person intends to commit an intentional tort against one person but instead commits:
(1) A different intentional tort against the same person;
(2) The same intended tort against a different person; OR
(3) A different intentional tort against a different person.
The “transferred intent” concept applies to certain intentional torts. What are they?
battery, assault, false imprisonment, trespass to land, trespass to chattel. NOT intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Causation means…
The defendant’s tortious conduct was a substantial factor in creating the harm.
A battery occurs when
The defendant causes a harmful or offensive contact with the person of another, and, acts with the intent to cause that contact or the apprehension of that contact.
Define “Harmful contact”
Contact which causes an injury, physical impairment, pain or illness
Define “offensive contact”
Where a person of ordinary sensibilities (reasonable person, objective standard) would find the contact offensive. Note that the defendant might be liable if aware that the victim is hyper sensitive but acts nonetheless
An unconscious medical patient is inappropriately touched by someone. Is this a battery?
Yes. Plaintiff does not need to be aware of the battery.
True or False. Contact with the person means that the contact must actually touch the person, and not just something connected to the person (like clothing).
False. Battery can be found even when the defendant contacts something connected to the person.
What is the eggshell plaintiff rule, or the thin skull plaintiff rule?
The defendant is not required to foresee the extent of damages to be liable for all damages.
In battery, when you can’t prove actual harm, what happens?
You can still recover nominal damages.
Many states allow punitive damages if the defendant acted with ________
malice or in an outrageous fashion, or out of some wrongful motive.
What is an assault?
Plaintiff’s reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive bodily contact caused by the defendant.
Intent, when it comes to assault, can be shown when…
the defendant acted with the intent to cause the apprehension, or the contact itself.
I attempt to throw a rock at you, but miss hitting you. Is this a tort?
If I created imminent apprehension, then I have committed assault. The intent element is satisfied by transferred intent.
Plaintiff’s apprehension must be ________, and plaintiff must be _______ or have ________ of the defendant’s act. Actual fear is not required.
reasonable
/aware
/knowledge
Imminent means…
Without significant delay. Threats of future harm are not sufficient.
Words, coupled with the circumstances, (can/cannot) indicate an imminent threat of a harmful or offensive contact.
can. Mere words are not enough, however, if done in the right circumstances, it will cross the line and become an assault.
When it comes to damages for an assault what proof is required and what is recoverable?
No proof of actual damages is required, plaintiff can recover nominal damages. Plaintiff can also recover damages from physical harm flowing from the imminent apprehension, such as when the plaintiff suffers a heart attack.