Torts 1 Flashcards
Defamation Elements (General)
- defamatory statement that specifically ID’s the plaintiff
- publish statement to third parties
- falsity
- Fault
- Damages
Defamation - Defamatory Statement / Plaintiff Req
- must adversely affect reputation - must be a factual claim reflecting adversely on character; pure opinion or name calling is not defamatory
- P must be alive not dead, any identifying information will suffice; if small group, everyone has a claim, large group no one has a claim
Defamation - Publish
publish to any third party (de minimus 1 person); publishers are equally liable as the speakers
no intent required, negligence is sufficient
Defamation - Falsity
statement must be false to be defamatory. a true but offensive statement is not defamatory
Defamation - Fault
degree of D awareness to promulgate falsehood
if Private P – negligent considering timing and degree of harm
if Public P – knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth (malice)
limited public public – only speak in regard to why public figure
Defamation - Damages
Libel - permanent/written/recorded (Damages presumed)
Slander per se: so clearly defamatory that an ordinary person would understand the injury (damages presumed)
1. business/profession
2. serious crime
3. serious sexual misconduct (debasing act would exclude from society or imputation on chastity/adultery)
4. loathsome disease (Lepersy or venereal contagious disease)
All Other Slander: need evidence of economic harm
Defenses to Defamation
Consent
Privileges:
1. Absolute: communication between spouses or officers from 3 branches of government - anything you put in court papers or argue is exempt
2. Qualified: if public interest in encouraging candor (Case by case basis)
Invasion of Privacy Torts
Appropriation
Intrusion upon seclusion
false light
publication of private fact (disclosure)
Appropriation
D uses P name or image for commercial purposes
emotional damages bc right of publicity
Intrusion Upon Seclusion
invasion on P’s seclusion highly offensive to a reasonable person where otherwise have a reasonable expectation of privacy
False Light
widespread dissemination of a material falsehood about P highly offensive to a reasonable person (reckless disregard for the truth)
Publication of Private Fact (Disclosure)
D publicly discloses private information highly offensive to reasonable person
widespread dissemination of confidential info not of legitimate concern to the public and highly offensive
Nuisance
D substantial interference w P use and enjoyment of the land
acting with awareness, not necessarily intent
Product Liability Elements
- merchant
- product is defective
- product not substantially altered since leaving D’s control
- P foreseeable use of the product at time of injury
manufacturing defect
departs from the intended design/different from others on assembly line
design defect
risk with product outweigh the utility of the design. show:
1. alternative design would’ve been safer
2. alternative is practical and won’t defeat the point of the product
3. economically feasible alterantive
information defect - adequate warning if:
hidden risk = defective unless adequate warning. adequate if:
1. prominent attention to user
2. comprehensible
3. provide information re mitigating risk
4. not altered since leaving D’s hands
5. foreseeable use of the product (not misuse)
Product Liability Affirmative Defenses
- traditional: knowingly encounter bars recovery
- comparative responsibility: assign percentages to allocate damages based on fault