Intentional Torts Flashcards
Intentional Torts, generally
- ACT
- INTENT
- CAUSATION
ACT
must be voluntary
INTENTIONALLY
PURPOSE of causing the consequences of his acts
OR KNOWING the consequence is SUBSTANTIALLY CERTAIN
Children and mentally incompetent CAN act intentionally
Transferred intent does NOT apply to which torts?
IIED, conversion
Elements of Battery
- Causes a HARMFUL OR OFFENSIVE contact
- With the Intent to cause such contact
Note: contact = anything connected to the plaintiff’s person
harmful or offensive contact
- Harmful: causes injury, physical impairment, pain, or illness
- Offensive: a person of ordinary sensibilities would find it objective (reasonable person test) (ex: spitting in your face)
Causation for battery
act must ACTUALLY result in the harmful or offensive contact - chain of events is OK
Is proof of harm required for battery?
NO - plaintiff can require nominal damages if no actual damages occur
Eggshell Plaintiff Rule
D is not required to foresee the extent of the damages in order to be held liable for them - liable for all damages caused by the harm
Assault elements
- reasonable apprehension
- of an IMMINENT harmful or offensive contact caused by D’s action
- D’s intent to cause the contact or apprehension of the contact
Does a plaintiff need to be aware of a battery?
NO
Does a plaintiff need to be aware of an assault?
YES - can’t have reasonable apprehension without it
Mere words = assault?
NO - must be words coupled with conduct or other circumstances
Can defendant negate an assault with mere words?
yes - “If you weren’t such a good friend, I would punch you” is NOT an assault
Is proof of harm required for assault?
NO = nominal damages are fine. If you have a heart attack from the assault, you can recor for those
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
- Intentionally or recklessly
- Acting with EXTREME and OUTRAGEOUS conduct
- That causes P severe emotional distress
Note levels of intentionality for IIED
intentionally causing severe emotional distress or RECKLESSLY as to the risk of causing distress
Transferred intent can apply person-to-person
extreme and outrageous
exceeds the possible limits of human decency as to be entirely intolerable in a civilized society
More likely to find extreme/outrageous if:
- D is in a position of authority or influence
- P has a known heightened sensitivity (young, old, pregnant)
Public figures and IIED
must prove the publication has a false statement made with actual malice (knowledge it was false or with reckless disregard as to whether or not it was true)