Tort Law Topics Flashcards
What is negligence
This is the omission to do something which a reasonable man would normally do
Duty Of Care-Neighbour Principle
You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour
What three things must be proved for negligence
In terms of duty
Is the damage foreseeable
Proximity with the party
Is it fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty
Negligence
Foreseeability
Objective test: Would a reasonable person in D’s position foresee that someone in claimants position may be injured
Negligence
Proximity
Someone may suffer shock after seeing the aftermath of an accident but there is no liability if there is not a sufficient relationship between the parties
Bournhill V Young
Negligence
Reasonableness
This allows judges to make policy decisions. This balances the risk of fraudulent claims
is it fair just and reasonable
Negligence
Breach of duty
The standard of care that must be reached is that of the reasonable man.
He is expected to do this reasonably competently
Negligence
(Risk) Factors that affect the reasonable man standard
Special characters of the defendant and of claimant
Size of risk
Have all practical precautions been taken
What are benefits of taking risk
Negligence
Special characteristics of defendant
Meant to be reasonably competent in what they are doing
Negligence
Medical practitioners
Does the doctor conduct fall below that expected of an ordinary competent professional
Is there substantial body of opinion within the profession to support the action taken
Court could find the practice of the whole profession wrong and could therefore find that a duty had been breached even when following normal practice (Bolitho)
Negligence
Special Characteristics of Claimant
The reasonable man takes more care when the situation demands it
Negligence
Size of risk
The reasonable man takes more care when there is a greater risk does not have to take precautions against highly likely events
Negligence
Have all practical precautions been taken
Reasonable precautions do not always prevent injury.
Laitmer V AEC
Negligence
What are benefits of taking risks
Public utility. Lower standard will be required of reacting to an emergency
Negligence
Damage (Causation)
This is the caustion in fact and the remotness
Negligence
Remoteness of damage- Reasonably foresseable test
Type of damage must be reasonably foreseeable. Once damage of any kind is foreseeseable the D is liable for full extent of damage
Negligence
Thin Skull Rule
Take your victim as you find them
Negligence-Defences
Contributory Negligence
The C and D both were partly to blame for Injury/Loss
Negligence-Defences
Consent- Volenti non fit injuria
When the claimant voluntarily accepts the risk of the harm
Negligence
Damages
What do they do
This is to put the claimant in a position they would have been before the act or ommsion
Negligence
Mitigation of loss
The claimant has a duty to minimise their loss by taking reasonable action to do so.
Occupiers liabilty Act 1957
Who is it for
Visitors
OLA 1957
Lawful Visitor
Different types
Invitee-Have been invited
Licensee-implied permission to be there for a period of time
Statutory right of entry- Read a meter/ Police
Conctractual right of entry-ticket holder for an event
OLA 1957
Duty to keep the visitor reasonably safe
Reasonable warning signs are enough. Implied warnings and express warning
OLA 1957
For purposes for which they are invited
Common duty of care
The duty is varied for a specialist visistor undertaking his job
OLA 1957
Other variation of duty
Children. The occupier must be prepared for children to be less careful than adults
OLA 1957
Intervening causes
Damage
Natural Event can break the chain.
3rd party act
Victims own act if not reasonable
Defences for OLA 1957
Contributory Negligence
Independent contractors
Consent
Excluding liability
OLA 1957 Defence
Independent contractors
Statute
S2(4)b OLA 1957 occupier not liable if the visitor is injured by something dangerous that was created by the faulty work of an independent contractor
OLA 1957 Defence
Contributory Negligence
S2(3) OLA 1957 - consideration should be given to the standards of care expected by a ordinary visitor
D makes injuries worse
D is partly to blame for injuries
OLA 1957 Defence
Consent
S2(5) OLA 1957 occupier not liable if the visitor willingly accepts risks.
OLA 1957 Defence
Excluding liability
S2(1) OLA 1957 occupier can restrict or exclude liability for visitors by putting up a sign.
S.2(4) requires it to “in all the circumstances be enough to enable the visitor to be reasonably safe”