MBE Torts Flashcards
False Imprisonment
(i) D intends to confine P in a limited area with no means of escape
(ii) Ds conduct causes Ps confinement (or D has a duty to release P from confinement and doesn’t do it) and
(iii) P is conscious of the confinement
May a person who negligently puts herself in danger be liable for her rescuer’s injuries?
Yes, generally, there is no affirmative duty to act. However, this rule wouldn’t prevent recovering damages from someone for negligently putting themselves in danger.
If you rescue, even if you had no duty, and you get injured and can you sue the peril creator?
Yes, bc danger invites rescue
Letting people recover for injury, encourages them to help anyway
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
(i) P was within the “zone of danger” of the threatened physical impact caused by D’s negligence that made P fear for his own safety; and
(ii) the threat of physical impact caused emotional distress
However, a bystander P outside the zone of danger can still recover if:
- she is closely related to the person D injured
- was present at the scene of the injury, and
- personally observed (or otherwise perceived) it.
Frolic vs Detour
An employer may be liable for a tort committed by an employee during the employee’s detour (a minor and permissible deviation from the scope of employment)
But not during the employee’s frolic (an unauthorized and substantial deviation).
Civil Battery
Harmful or offensive contact with the person of another
Do you need actual harm for battery?
No, just harmful or offensive contact
Defense:
Deadly force as self-defense
D may use self-defense only if they reasonably believe
(i) P is intentionally inflicting or about to intentionally inflict unprivileged force on D
(ii) D is thereby put in peril of either death, serious bodily harm, or rape by the use or threat of physical force or restraint, and
(iii) D can safely prevent the peril only by the immediate use of deadly force
True or False:
A D using force against an actual or apparent transgressor in self-defense wont be subject the D to intentional tort liability if they unintentionally harm a bystander
True
It would be unintentional harm by acting in self-defense
What are the 3 elements to prove an intentional tort
(1) an act (tortious conduct)
(2) intent (requisite mental state)
(3) causation
intent
(1) purpose of causing consequence; or
(2) knows consequence will result with substantial certainty
Can children and mentally incompetent people be liable for intentional torts?
Yes, if the acted w the requisite intent
battery
intentional, harmful or offensive contact with the person of another without consent
does the victim of a battery have to be conscious of it for it to be offensive?
No; they could be unconscious bc P doesn’t have to be aware of the contact when it occurs
Can a D be liable for battery if the victim was hypersensitive to the offensive contact?
the test is usually whether a person of ordinary sensibilities would find the contact offensive
BUT if the D knows the vic if hypersensitive they can still be liable
For battery, does the contact have to be direct?
No
ex: pulling a chair from under you, putting bucket above door
For battery, what entails contact w person of another?
anything connected to the plaintiff’s person
ex: hat on their head, bike their sitting on, book in you’re hand
For a battery, what does the D had to have intended?
D had to have intended the contact, not the offense
*doesn’t matter if they didn’t meant to be offensive
transferred intent
intent to commit one tort but commits another
intent to commit a tort against one person but instead commits it against another
Does transferred intent apply to battery?
Yes
damages that can be awarded for battery
no actual harm required;
- nominal damages can be awarded or
- comp damages if there was harm
damages for battery on an eggshell plaintiff
D will be liable for all harm that comes from the battery, even if worse than expected
Are punitive damages recoverable for a battery?
If the D acted
- outrageously; or
- with malice
consent defense for battery
no battery if there was express or implied consent
ex: boxing match
Assault
intentionally putting someone in reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive bodily contact
*no actual harm required
Is bodily contact required for assault?
No;
just an apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive bodily contact
Plaintiff’s apprehension in an assault
- must be reasonable
- Plaintiff must be aware of the D’s action (bc otherwise no apprehension)
*if unconscious, no apprehension
Do threats of future or hypothetical harm constitute assault?
No because it needs to be imminent
Do mere words constitute an assault?
Generally no, BUT IF D is able to carry out the
threat imminently and takes action designed to put the victim in a state of apprehension, then there may be an assault
ex: “your money or your life” in dark alley
What must D intend to do in an assault
Either:
- Intend an apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact;
- The contact itself
Damages that can be awarded for assault
no actual harm required;
- nominal damages can be awarded or
- comp damages if there was harm
- sometimes punitive if appropriate
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED)
D intentionally or recklessly engages in extreme and outrageous conduct that causes plaintiff severe emotional distress
Extreme and Outrageous Conduct
Conduct that exceeds the possible limits of human decency, so as to be entirely intolerable in a civilized society
Courts are more likely to find conduct or language to be extreme and outrageous if:
> the D is in a position of authority or influence over the P
> The P is a member of a group that has heightened sensitivity (like young children & the elderly)
What must public figures/officials show in a suit for IIED?
That the words contained a false statement of fact that was made with actual malice
(actual malice: knew the statement was false or reckless disregard of its potential falsity)
Can private plaintiffs recover for IIED if the speech was in the context of public concern?
No
When does transferred intent apply in IIED?
(1) Related bystanders:
An immediate family member of the victim is present at the time of the conduct and contemporaneously perceives it
(2) Defendant’s Purpose:
If D’s purpose in harming someone is to cause severe emotional distress to a 3rd party, then the 3rd party can recover for IIED
Reqs for damages from IIED
P must prove severe emotional distress beyond what a reasonable person should endure
> If a P experiences an unreasonable level of emotional distress, a D would only be liable if they knew of P’s hypersensitivity
Physical injury not required
False Imprisonment
(1) D intends to confine or restrain another within a bounded area
(2) D’s conduct directly or indirectly causes Ps confinement; and
(3) P was conscious of the confinement
Can a car be considered a bounded area for false imprisonement?
Yes, the bounded area doesn’t have be stationery
If a D refuses to perform a duty to help a victim escape, can this be false imprisonment?
Yes, it may be false imprisonment when the defendant refused to perform a duty to help the
victim escape
Shopkeeper’s Privilege exception under false imprisonment
A D isn’t liable for false impri. under merchant’s privilege when:
> D is a merchant/employee/agent
D reasonably believes P has attempted/wrongfully taken merchandise
Detainment occurs on, or in the immediate vicinity of the merchant’s premises
detainment is for a reasonable time and reasonable manner to investigate the matter
Under false imprisonment, does the duration of confinement matter?
No, duration of confinement is immaterial to the tort
Will a D be liable for false imprisonment if someone is confined due to their negligence?
No, because false imprisonment an an intentional tort which requires the D to act:
- with purpose of confining
OR
- knowing that confinement of the P will likely result
Does transferred intent apply to false imprisonment?
Yes
What damages can a P recover for false imprisonment?
no actual harm required;
- nominal damages can be awarded or
- comp damages if there was harm
what are the 2 types of consent
- actual consent
- presumed consent
Actual consent
the P by words or actions manifested a wiliness to submit to D’s conduct
*but the D’s conduct can’t exceed the scope of the consent
Consent by mistake
valid defense unless the D - caused the mistake or
- knew of it and took advantage of it
Consent by fraud
Essential matters:
invalid defense if the consent was given by fraud as to an essential matter
Collateral matters:
can be a valid defense if the fraud was relating to collateral (irrelevant) matters
Presumed Consent
the P is silent/non-responsive but their silence and continued participation can reasonably be construed as consent
> Emergencies: fair to assume rescuer has consent
Injuries arising from athletic contests: bc consent is within the scope of the sport
mutual consent to combat
What is required to give consent?
Capacity
A lack of capacity can undermine the validity of consent (ex: minors, incompetency, intoxication)
Defenses to Intentional Torts
(1) Consent
(2) Self-defense
(3) Defense of others
(4) Defense of property
(5) Parental discipline
(6) Privilege of Arrest
Self-defense
the use of reasonable force which is proportionate to defend against an offensive contact or bodily harm
Duty to retreat
Modern majority rule is that you do not need to retreat before using reasonable proportionate force
Initial Aggressor
an initial aggressor isnt permitted to claim self-defense unless the other party responded to non-deadly force with deadly force
Injuries to Bystanders
someone acting in self-defense isn’t liable for injuries to a bystander as long as it was accidental and the actor wasn’t negligent toward the bystander
Defense of Others
You may use reasonable force in defense of others, if that person themselves would’ve been entitled to use self-defense
Defense of Property
reasonable force may be used if the person reasonably believes it’s necessary to prevent tortious harm to the property
Can deadly force be used in defense of property
No; someone can never use deadly mechanical devices to defend property (e.g., a spring gun).
humans–> proportionate
property–> never
Defense of Property:
Recapture of Chattels (personal property)
Wrongfully taken:
Reasonable force can be used to reclaim personal property but ONLY IF first you ask for it back, unless doing so would be futile
Lawfully taken (like bailment):
only peaceful means can be used
Defense of Property:
Force to Regain Possession of Land
use of force not permitted; you can only try to regain: through legal process
Parental Discipline
Parents may use reasonable force as necessary to discipline children
Privilege of Arrest:
By a Private Citizen
Felonies:
Permitted to use reasonable force to make a felony arrest IF
(1) The felony was actually committed; and
(2) The arresting party has reasonable grounds to suspect that the person
being arrested committed the felony
Misdemeanor:
Arrest only allowed if there’s a “breach of the peace”
Privilege of Arrest:
By Police for felonies
Felonies:
> Must reasonably believe a felony has been committed + that the person arrested
committed it
> But an officer wont be subject to tort liability if they’re mistaken about whether a felony was committed
Misdemeanors:
> Arrest only allowed if the misdemeanor was committed in the officer’s presence
Trespass to Chattels
(personal property)
An intentional interference with P’s right to possess personal property by:
> Dispossessing P of the chattel
Damaging the chattel; or
Using or intermeddling with the chattel
Trespass to Chattels requires an intent as to what?
Only the intent to do the interfering act is necessary; not the intend to interfere
Under Trespass to Chattels, is mistake as to the legality of the action a defense?
No; mistake as to the legality of the action is not a defense for Trespass to Chattels
What damages can a P recover for Trespass to Chattels?
Dispossession or damage:
- actual damages
- damages for loss of use
- nominal damages
- cost of repair
Intermeddling:
- only actual damages
Conversion
Intentionally committing an act:
> Depriving P of possession of their chattel; or
> Interfering with P’s chattel in a manner so serious as to deprive P entirely of its use
Intent required for Conversion
Intent to commit the act that interferes
(not necessarily to commit conversion itself)
*Mistake of law or fact isn’t a defense
ex: thought u were cutting down ur own tree, but it was the neighbors. too bad ur liable
What damages can a P recover for Conversion
P can recover the chattel’s full value at the time of conversion
Trespass to Chattels
vs.
Conversion
Conversion is more serious, so the more extreme the interference, the more likely a court will find P was fully deprived.
Factors courts consider:
> The duration/extent of the interference;
> D’s intent to assert a right inconsistent with the rightful possessor;
> D’s good faith;
> Expense or inconvenience to the P; and
> Extent of the harm to chattel
Trespass to Land
D intentionally causes a physical invasion of someone’s land
Intent required for Trespass to Land
D only needed to have intended to enter the land or cause the physical invasion (causing objects to invade the land)
intent to commit a wrongful trespass not required
Who can bring an action for Trespass to Land?
Anyone in possession of the land
- includes tenants, not just owners
What damages can a P recover for Trespass to Land?
- no proof of actual damages is required (bc doesn’t cost D to trespass)
- nominal damages can be awarded
Necessity as a Defense to Trespass
Available to someone who enters onto another’s land or interferes with their personal property to prevent an injury or other severe harm
Could be
> private necessity
> public necessity
Private necessity
D not liable for:
nominal damages
D liable for:
actual damages they caused
*The owner may not use force to exclude the person
Public necessity
> Private property is intruded or destroyed when necessary to protect a large number of people from a public calamity
> D NOT liable for damages to the property
What are the 2 types of nuisance?
> private
public
Private Nuisance
An activity that substantially and unreasonably interferes with another’s use and enjoyment of land
ex: loud noises/foul odors
What constitutes
an unreasonable interference for a nuisance?
> Must be annoying to an ordinary, reasonable person
Someone hypersensitive may not have a cause of action for nuisance.
Someone who isn’t actually bothered can still have a cause of action for nuisance if it’d bother an ordinary, reasonable person
Courts will also balance the interference with the utility of the nuisance
What is not considered a nuisance?
> the blocking of sunlight
obstruction of views
Exception: spite fence/wall
> If a person puts up a fence or wall with no purpose except to block
a neighbor’s view or sunlight, then courts will sometimes find that to be a nuisance
Defenses to private nuisance
> Compliance with state or local administrative regulations
(not a complete defense, but evidence of reasonableness)
> “Coming to the nuisance”
Courts are hesitant to find a nuisance if you moved somewhere knowing about that conduct (not a complete defense, just a factor)
Public Nuisance
An unreasonable interference with a right common to the public as a whole
Who can bring claims for Public Nuisance?
Public official—
can bring an action on behalf of the public to abate the nuisance
Private individual—generally can’t bring a public nuisance claim unless the P suffered special harm that is different from the general public
Elements required for a negligence claim
(1) Duty
A legal obligation toward another party
(2) Breach
The failure to meet that obligation
(3) Causation
actual cause & proximate cause
(4) Damages
the loss suffered
Duty
A legal obligation to act as a reasonably prudent person to foreseeable P’s in the zone of danger
*most common standard of care ^ but there are others
Is there a duty to act affirmatively?
No, even if the failure to act appears to be unreasonable.
*there are some exceptions
Does foreseeability of harm alone create a duty?
No
Is there a duty to unforeseeable plaintiffs?
No
Plaintiff Rescuer
A person who comes to the aid of another is a foreseeable victim of the original negligent conduct.
Crime Victims
Considered foreseeable plaintiffs in certain circumstances
4 exceptions where there IS an affirmative duty to act
(1) Assumption of duty
(2) Placing another in danger
(3) By authority
(4) By relationship
Assumption of duty
A person who voluntarily aids or rescues another has a duty of reasonable care in the performance of that aid or rescue
Placing another in danger
If you put someone in danger you have an affirmative duty to act
By authority
A person with the ability and actual authority to control another has a duty to exercise reasonable control
ex: parent, warden, etc
By relationship
D has a special relationship with the plaintiff
ex: Common carrier-passenger; innkeeper-guest
Are Ds with specific mental or emotional conditions subject to the
reasonably prudent person standard?
Yes, the reasonably prudent person standard is an objective standard
Are Ds with particular physical characteristics subject to the same reasonably prudent person standard?
No, they have a modified standard which is to act as a reasonably prudent person with similar characteristics would
ex: blind D compared a reasonably prudent person who is blind.
Are Ds who were intoxicated held to the same reasonably prudent person standard?
Yes, held to the same standard as sober people unless the intoxication was involuntary
Are Ds who are children held to the same reasonably prudent person standard?
No, modified standard which is to act like a reasonable child of similar age, intelligence, and experience
UNLESS: the child is engaged in an adult activity, then they’re held to the reasonably prudent person standard like adults
Standard of care:
Common Carriers and Innkeepers
Majority is:
> common carriers owe the utmost care
> innkeepers owe reasonable care
Standard of care:
Automobile Drivers
Reasonable care to people in the car and around
If the bailee receives a benefit, then he has a higher duty of care; even slight negligence
can result in liability
Bailors and Bailees
(Bailment—a bailee temporarily takes possession of the bailor’s property)
- Bailor must warn a gratuitous bailee of known dangerous conditions
- If the bailor receives the sole benefit, then the bailee has a lesser duty.
- If the bailee receives a benefit, then he has a higher duty of care; even slight negligence
can result in liability
Standard of care:
Emergency Situations
standard of care is that of a reasonable person under the same circumstances
Landowner standard of care:
Invitees
Public invitee:
invited to enter land bc its being held open to the public (ex: state fair)
Business visitor:
entering land for purposes connected to business dealings with the landowner
> Duty of reasonable care:
- inspect for unknown dangers, make safe or warn, & prevent harm from active operations
*Non-delegable duty—cannot avoid this duty by assigning care of the property to an independent contractor
Landowner standard of care:
Licensees
A licensee enters the land with express or implied permission (ex: social guests)
> Landowner has a duty to either
(i) make the property reasonably safe; or
(ii) warn licensees of hidden dangers (latent)
> No duty to inspect for dangers
Must exercise reasonable care in conducting activities on the land
Duty of care:
unknown trespassers
Trespasser: someone on the land without consent or privilege
> There is no duty to unknown trespassers
> Exception:
refrain from willful, wanton, intentional, or reckless misconduct
(ex: use of spring gun)
Duty of care:
known trespassers
landowner has a duty to warn or protect of known artificial dangers
“Attractive nuisance” doctrine
landowner can be liable for injuries to children trespassing on the land if:
1) An artificial condition exists in a place where the owner knows or has reason to know that children are likely to trespass;
2) The landowner knows or has reason to know that the condition poses an unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm;
3) The children, bc of their age, don’t discover or can’t appreciate the danger;
4) The utility of maintaining the condition is slight compared to the risk of injury; and
5) The owner fails to exercise reasonable care
Duty of care: Landlord/tenant
Landlord must:
> maintain safe common areas
> warn of hidden dangers (especially for premises that are leased for public use); and
> repair hazardous conditions
*tenant will still be liable for injuries arising from conditions within their control
Duty of care:
Off-Premises Victim
Natural conditions:
Generally, landowner isn’t liable for injuries resulting from natural conditions
(ex: your tree falls on their property)
Artificial conditions:
must prevent unreasonable risk of harm to persons not on the premises
(ex: your flag pole)