Torts Flashcards
What must P show to establish a case of battery?
1) a harmful or offensive contact, 2) to P’s person, 3) D’s intent, and 4) causation.
What are the elements required to prove assault?
1) an act by the D which causes reasonable apprehension in P, 2) of immediate harmful or offensive contact to P’s person, 3) D’s intent, and 4) causation.
What must P demonstrate to establish false imprisonment?
1) an act or omission by D that confines or restrains P, 2) to a bounded area, 3) D’s intent, and 4) causation. NOTE: P must be aware or harmed by confinement.
What are the requirements for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED)?
1) extreme and outrageous conduct by D, 2) intent or recklessness, 3) causation, and 4) severe emotional distress.
What must P establish for bystander IIED claims?
1) P present when injury occurred, 2) P is a close relative to V, and 3) D knew P was present and a close relative.
What elements must P show for trespass to land?
1) a physical invasion of P’s real property, 2) intent, and 3) causation. NOTE: Negligent or reckless entries only subject to liability if D causes harm to land.
What are the requirements for trespass to chattel?
1) an act by D that interferes with P’s right of possession in chattel, 2) intent, 3) causation, and 4) damages.
What must P demonstrate for conversion claims?
1) an act by D that interferes with P’s right of possession of chattel, 2) which is so serious that D must pay for chattel’s full value, 3) intent, and 4) causation.
What is the defense of consent in intentional torts?
Requires legal capacity. Can be express or implied.
What are the conditions for self-defense and defense of others?
Invasion is imminent or in progress; reasonable mistake does not negate; may use only proportionate force.
What are the criteria for a felony arrest without a warrant?
Police → reasonable grounds to believe felony was committed; Private → felony was actually committed and private person had reasonable grounds to believe person committed it.
What is the shopkeeper’s privilege?
Shopkeeper may detain for reasonable time and manner if reasonably believes person committed theft to conduct an investigation.
What is the public necessity defense?
To protect the community as a whole, it is an absolute defense for trespass and damages.
What is private necessity in the context of torts?
Protect one’s own interest only if the emergency is not of their own making. Only a defense for trespass.
What must P show to prove a prima facie case for common law defamation?
1) defamatory language, 2) of or concerning P, 3) publication by D to a third person, and 4) damages.
What additional requirements are there for defamation cases involving public concern?
1) falsity of the statement and 2) fault on D’s part.
What must a public figure prove in defamation cases?
Malice (D knowing of the falsity or acting in reckless disregard), in which case damages are presumed.
What must a private figure prove in defamation cases?
Negligence, in which case P must prove damages, or demonstrate malice, in which case damages are presumed.
What are the defenses to defamation?
1) Consent, 2) Truth, 3) Privilege: Absolute and Qualified.
What must P establish for appropriation of P’s picture or name?
An unauthorized use of P’s picture or name for D’s commercial advantage, unless newsworthy publication.
What is required to prove intrusion in invasion of privacy claims?
D’s act of prying or intruding into a private affair where P has a reasonable expectation of privacy would be objectionable to a reasonable person.
What must P show for false light claims?
D attributed to P certain views that P does not hold or actions that P did not take, which would be objectionable to a reasonable person under the circumstances.
What must P show for a public disclosure of private info to be objectionable?
Widespread dissemination of confidential info unless newsworthy publication.
This refers to the standard of objectionability in privacy torts.
What are the defenses to privacy torts?
Consent; Absolute and Qualified Privileges for disclosure and false light.
Truth is not a defense.