Page 2 Flashcards
If you intend to scare someone, but you end up punching them, what have you done?
Committed a battery
What is required for the intent element of battery?
Must either intend to cause immediate harmful/offensive contact, or intend to cause an immediate apprehension of that contact
What are the two different ways you can have intent for battery?
Desire to cause a touching, or believe it is substantially certain to result from your act
If you accidentally hit someone, is that a battery?
No, so you would need to look at strict liability or negligence
Must you intend harm for a battery?
No, you only have to intend contact
Does the contact have to be serious for a battery?
No, even minimal contact is okay
Who bears the risk of unforeseen harm arising from a battery?
Defendant
Does transferred intent apply to battery?
Yes
Do psychological affronts count for battery?
Yes
Does offensive contact have to be harmful for battery?
No
Does the plaintiff have to be conscious of the offensive contact at the time of the offense for battery?
No
How is the harmful or offensive element of battery determined?
According to the reasonable person, unless the defendant knows the plaintiff has a disability or susceptibility
What is the definition of harmful for battery?
Something that injures, disfigures, impairs, or causes pain to any bodily organ/function
What is the definition of offensive for battery?
Anything that would offend a reasonable person’s sense of personal dignity
How do you deal with a hypersensitive reaction for battery?
If the touching wouldn’t cause a reasonable person offense, but it does the P, the only way for defendant to be liable is if he knew of the plaintiff’s hypersensitivity and proceeded anyway
Must you make physical contact with the body of another for battery?
No, the contact can be with something closely connected to the body or setting something in motion
What are some examples of a battery that happens from contact with something closely connected to the body?
Knocking someone’s glasses off or their hat
What are some examples of setting something in motion that causes a battery?
- throwing a rock that hits the P
- blowing smoke in P’s face
- putting poison in P’s drink
If you come close to making contact with someone can that be a battery?
No
Is it possible to batter someone that is unconscious?
Yes, they don’t have to be aware of the touching at the time