Torts Flashcards
Define tort law.
2 main kinds of tort law with the purpose of awarding damages.
What are the 2 main kinds of tort law?
- intentional
- unintentional
What are the 2 main changes in tort law over time?
- Previously: strict liability even if you are not at fault, if you cause harm you have liability.
Now: if you are not at fault, you do not have to pay damages in a lawsuit. Also, you have strict liability even if you are not at fault, but someone gets hurt from inherently dangerous substances of yours. - A change in awarding damages regarding direct and non-direct harm
Now: people can be sued for non-direct damages
What is an example of the 1st change in tort law?
- someone carrying explosives
- WCB (example of strict liability)
What is an example of the 2nd change in tort law?
- Big question is “could a reasonable person be able to prevent such harm”
- how indirect is too indirect?
Explain intentional torts
intentional acts causing proscribed (prohibited) harm. It is common to lead to criminal law. People seek compensation regarding a tort. In the event of criminal law, if the defendant is found not guilty you can still sue.
What are the 3 elements of intentional torts?
- intent
- causation
- proscribed/prohibited harm
Explain the intent element of intentional tort.
- act done deliberately/voluntarily
- intent is the word used to describe the desire to bring about certain consequences (includes battery)
- there in intent where there is motive
Explain causation in intentional torts.
- intent must be to directly cause harm
- relatively easy to establish
Explain proscribed/prohibited harm in intentional torts.
- prohibited behaviour
* laws against the act
What are examples of intentional torts?
- assault
- battery
- trespassing
- defamation
- deceit
- inducing breach of contract
Explain assault as an intentional tort.
- threats harm to another
- threatening to harm someone
- can include sexual assault, beating them up, etc.
Explain battery as an intentional tort.
- unlawful physical contact upon another person
- actually harming them (sexual violations fall under battery too)
- not usual for battery to appear with assault
Explain trespassing as an intentional tort.
- entrance into premises or onto lands, unlawfully
- make entering land unlawful (fence with a sign saying stay away and you still enter) - owner must indicate they don’t want you to enter their property
Explain defamation as an intentional tort.
- written (libel) and verbal (slander) defamation
- where someone broadcasts a statement causing the harm to the reputation of another person
- opinion is not defamation
- broadcasted statement must be in the form of projecting facts
NOTE: it is not slander if you are telling it to that person