Torts Rule Statements Flashcards
What are the three ways you can establish intent and how are they defined?
Specific intent: Acting for the purpose of bringing about the tortious consequence
General intent: Acting with knowledge to a substantial certainty that the tortious consequence will follow
Transferred intent: Acting with either specific OR general intent to commit 1/5 original writs [assault/battery/false imprisonment/trespass to land/trespass to chattels]
1 - Intend to batter person A –> assault person A
2 - Intend assault person A –> assault person B
3 - Intend to assault person A –> batter person B
Does motive matter in terms of intent?
No
Does mistake matter in terms of intent?
No, but accidents can matter.
[Ex: Thinking you’re on you’re own property but you’re actually on someone else’s v. tripping & falling onto someone else’s property]
Who can have intent?
Children, cognitive differences, voluntarily impaired
What are the four elements of battery?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) the tortious consequence of contact with plaintiff’s person or something intimately connected with plaintiff’s person, which is harmful or offensive in dual intent jurisdictions
What is the object of intent for battery?
Contact… not necessarily harm
What are the four elements of assault?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) tortious consequence of reasonable apprehension of imminent battery
Does the plaintiff have to be aware of the imminent battery for assault?
Yes… can’t have reasonable apprehension if you don’t know what’s going on
Is the “busy world” taken into account in terms of battery?
Yes… reasonable amount of contact we consent to
What are the four elements of false imprisonment?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) tortious consequence of unlawful confinement/restraint for any amount of time, against P’s will, to P’s knowledge (or in some jurisdictions harm) in a bounded area with no reasonable means of escape
What is the majority jurisdiction in terms of false imprisonment?
Plaintiff must be aware of the confinement at the time of the confinement
What is the minority jurisdiction in terms of false imprisonment?
Plaintiff must either be aware of the confinement at the time of the confinement or be harmed in the course of the confinement
Does keeping someone out constitute false imprisonment?
No
Is mere compulsion or fear of losing one’s job enough for false imprisonment?
No
What are the elements of false arrest?
All elements of FI except this occurs when D claims power to make an arrest but doesn’t actually have legal authority to do so
What are the four elements of intentional infliction of emotional distress?
(1) volitional/conscious/extreme/outrageous act; (2) with the intent (specific or general) or recklessness; (3) to cause; (4) the tortious consequence of extreme emotional distress
How is IIED different from other intentional torts (elemental)?
Act – has to also be extreme & outrageous
Intent – only specific or general & can be reckless in alternative
What is the standard for IIED?
Behavior exceeds all bounds of what could be tolerated by society
What are the elements of trespass to land?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) tortious consequence of direct/tangible invasion or entry onto the real property in the plaintiff’s possession
Is damage to property required for trespass to land?
No, just entry
What is the object of intent in trespass to land?
To be where you are/to put object where you put it… not necessarily to trespass (don’t have to know you’re trespassing; jus have to intend to place your body or object where it ends up)
What is continuous trespass?
Failing to remove something when it’s no longer wanted/becomes unlawful to leave it
Can a non-trespasser become a trespasser? How?
Yes, if they exceed the scope/time/purpose of their presence
What is real property for the purposes of trespass to land? Does anything have to make contact with the earth?
Real property is the space in the immediate reaches above and below the land (included all fixtures on property)
Nothing actually has to touch the land… flying through airspace counts
What are the elements of trespass to chattels?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) tortious consequence of unauthorized interference/intermeddling with the chattel of another IF (a) the quality/condition/value is depleted; or (b) the plaintiff is dispossessed for a substantial time; or (c) bodily harm to P is caused; or (d) harm to something in which P has legally protected interest is caused
What is the limit of recovery in trespass to chattels?
No nominal damages are available
Limited to return of chattel or reimbursement for time it was missing/needed to be substituted
What are the elements of conversion?
(1) acting volitionally/consciously; (2) with the intent; (3) to cause; (4) tortious consequence of dominion/control over a chattel that’s so serious in nature it cannot be recovered & actor must pay the owner full value of the chattel
What are the factors influencing conversion?
Extent & duration of dominion/control; actors intent to assert right inconsistent with other’s right of control; actor’s good faith; extent & duration of resulting interference of right of control; harm done to chattel
In what ways can chattel be converted?
Acquiring possession; damaging/altering it; using it; receiving it; disposing of it; misdelivering it; refusal to surrender/return it
What recovery is available for conversion?
Nominal damages allowed if chattel had no value
If chattel did have value… remedy is full market value @ time of conversion
Who can recover for conversion?
Anyone in possession of the chattel at the time of conversion [doesn’t matter if it’s wrongful possession]
One converter can recover from another converter
What are the nuances of receiving stolen chattel?
-If it is stolen goods… the title did not pass & the purchaser is not protected
-If it is fraudulently obtained goods… the title did pass & the purchaser is protected
-If it is goods from a merchant who deals in “things of that kind”… purchaser is protected
What must be established before privileges and defenses for intentional torts may be used?
Prima facie cause of action! (an intentional tort must be proven before defenses are used)
What is the general rule of consent (defense of IT)?
Person who consents, or apparently consents, by words or conduct, to acts that would otherwise cause as intentional torts cannot recover damages for those acts
What is implied consent?
Manifestations of inward feelings; actions/behavior that indicate consent
Customs & rules of society influence implied consent
Private thinking doesn’t override overt behavior
When can a doctor act in absence of express consent?
- Patient is able to give consent
- Risk of serious bodily harm if treatment is delayed
- Reasonable person would consent under the circumstances
- No reason to believe patient would refuse treatment
What is informed consent for doctors?
Requires physicians/surgeons to disclose risks of proposed medical/surgical treatments
Can consent be withdrawn?
Yes consent can be withdrawn at any time and new consent must be provided [unless it’s not medically possible to cease procedure in context of medical doctors]
How does misrepresentation or fraud affect consent?
Invalidates consent if P is led to believe something about identity/circumstances that isn’t true
What are the elements of self defense?
When a person (1) reasonably believes she is being or is about to be immediately attacked/battered, she may (2) use such force as is reasonably necessary/proportionate to protect against injuriesU
Is retreat required before use of non-deadly force in self-defense?
No
Is retreat required before use of deadly force in self defense in majority jurisdictions?
Not required if such force is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury/harm
Is retreat required before use of deadly force in self defense in minority jurisdictions?
Yes unless in your home
Does self defense cover retaliation?
No – attack must be ongoing or imminent
Once threat is no longer imminent, privilege terminates
Is provocation enough for self defense?
No, verbal taunts are not enough for privilege of self defense
Are third party injuries covered under self defense?
Privilege is carried over to person B if harmed while defendant exercising self-defense against person A
Can trespassers recover against a plaintiff who employed privilege of self defense? When?
Yes if the force is excessive
Are mistakes allowed in self defense?
Yes reasonable mistakes allowed
What force is allowed for self defense?
Limited to that necessary to prevent harm presented by attack; proportionate; differences in age/size/gender considered
What are the elements of defense of others?
Person can (1) use reasonable/proportionate force to defend another when the person (2) reasonably (or in some jurisdictions correctly) believes that the other person would’ve been privileged to defend themselves
What is majority jurisdiction regarding reasonable belief in self defense?
Intervenor steps into the shoes of the person they’re defending; privileged only when that person would’ve been privileged
What is minority jurisdiction regarding reasonable belief in self defense?
Intervenor privileged even when he’s mistaken in his belief intervention is necessary if mistake was reasonable
What are the elements of defense of property?
Person may (1) use reasonable force to defend one’s property against (2) unlawful intrusions (3) if either (a) conduct of intruder reasonably indicates request to leave would be useless/dangerous or (b) person requested intruder leave to no avail
What limits do privileged trespassers put on defense of property?
If intruder has privilege (like necessity)… can’t exclude
If excluding trespasser would put them in harms way… can’t exclude (unless trespasser is endangering personal safety of occupiers)
If you exclude (even by mistake) - liable for injuries
What force is allowed for defense of property?
Proportionate/reasonable (NEVER deadly force)
Policy concern – value of life & limb outweighs possessor’s interest in property
What is the general rule for recovery of property?
If property is already lost because (1) person obtained your property unlawfully, then (2) proper owner may use only peaceful means to recover property UNLESS (a) in fresh pursuit; (b) has demanded & been refused return of property [unless demand would be futile/dangerous]; and then (3) may use reasonable force under the circumstances
What is fresh pursuit in the context of recovery of property?
Prompt discovery of dispossession & prompt efforts to recover
Privilege expires if undue time elapses
What mistakes are allowed and what mistakes are not allowed in the context of recovery of property?
Allowance –> reasonable mistake as to force necessary to recover
Don’t allow –> mistake with respect to situation as a whole
Who can you recover from in the context of recovery of property?
Can only recover from party who took the property from you [can’t recover from innocent third party]
What is the Shopkeeper’s Privilege?
Merchant has privilege to detain on (1) reasonable belief of shoplifting for (2) reasonable investigation (time/purpose/manner/scope)
How far (distance) does the shopkeeper’s privilege extend?
To reasonable distance from the store
Are mistakes okay in the context of the shopkeeper’s privilege?
If they are reasonable
What is the general rule for public necessity defense?
Person may interfere with real/personal property of another where interference is reasonably necessary (1) because it’s actually reasonably apparently necessary to avoid threatened injury from natural or other force, and (2) because threatened injury is so substantially more serious than invasion undertaken to prevent it
Is public necessity defense a complete bar?
If the interference with real/personal property was for the public good/general human safety… it is an absolute defense & no liability attaches
Are mistakes allowed in context of public necessity defenses?
If they are reasonable
What is the general rule of private necessity?
Person may interfere with real/personal property of another where interference is reasonably necessary (1) because it’s actually reasonably apparently necessary to avoid threatened injury from natural or other force, and (2) because threatened injury is so substantially more serious than invasion undertaken to prevent it
Is private necessity defense a complete bar?
When interference is to benefit person(s) who interfere or to protect any property from destruction/serious injury, the defense is qualified and the actor only pays damages for harm caused [even if act wasn’t tortious]
Are punitive damages allowed for private necessity?
No
What are the limitations of the owner of land in the context of private necessity?
If owner ejects someone who is on their property out of necessity, they will be liable for all resulting injuries [no mistake allowed in terms of ejection]
What is the general rule of authority of law?
If someone is allowed to do what they do under the law, they are not liable for doing it
What is standard of arrest with warrant under authority of law defense?
(1) warrant should be valid on its face; (2) officer doesn’t have to make inquiry into warrant if it appears valid; (3) protection offered if reasonable mistake is made in good faith, but not for excessive force
What is standard of arrest without warrant under authority of law defense?
Private citizens: prevent breach of peace/felony if its being committed/reasonably appears to be committed in their presence
Officers: information that allows reasonable belief felony was committed & that this person did it [citizen: felony has been committed for sure & reasonable to believe this person did it]
What is the standard for the defense of discipline?
There are several relationships which allows degree of orderly discipline [parent-child; military-subordinate]
Factors determining privilege: age, sex, condition of child, nature of offense, motive of offense, offense’s influence on other kids, reasonable necessity, proportionality, permanent harm caused
What is the standard for the defense of justification?
If it seems unfair to hold defendant liable, but the facts don’t align with other privileges… actions can be justified if reasonable & done to protect others from personal injury or to protect personal property under defendant’s lawful control
Does the defense of discipline apply to those temporarily caring for a child?
Yes, but the force allowed is less
What is the B_LP analysis for determining duty in negligence?
B = burden of exercising precaution; P = likelihood of the injury occurring; L = gravity of the injury that may occur
If B>LP… don’t have to exercise care
If B<LP… must exercise reasonable care
What items, if left unattended, are considered unreasonably risky in terms of negligence?
Items that are inherently dangerous
Is failing to protect against a natural condition unreasonably risky in terms of negligence?
No
When must you take reasonable steps to prevent harm to others, in terms of negligence?
When there is a foreseeable which is substantial to others
What are the four elements of negligence?
(1) Duty: obligation to avoid engaging in unreasonably risky conduct
(2) Breach: via engaging in unreasonable conduct
(3a) Factual cause: cause in fact
(3b) Proximate cause: perceived the have significant relationship
(4) Damages: must exist in reasonably recognized type
What is the reasonably prudent person standard of care?
Obligation imposed upon all human activity to act as reasonably prudent person under same/similar circumstances & to take precautions of unreasonable risk of foreseeable harm to others
Someone of ordinary (a) cognitive ability; (b) rationality; (3) common knowledge
For the RPP in negligence, are mental attributes subjective or objective?
Objective [RPP doesn’t take on mental attributes of the actor… intelligence; experience, impairment; disability]
What is the exception to the RPP objective mental attribute measure?
If actor has superior knowledge/abilities, RPP takes on those superior attributes
What is the majority rule for mental illness in terms of the RPP standard of care?
No allowance/consideration for mental illness even if it’s unexpected or unforeseeable
What is the minority rule for mental illness in terms of the RPP standard of care?
Allowance for mental illness if not reasonable foreseeable or if it’s completely unexpected
For the RPP in negligence, are physical attributes subjective or objective?
Subjective [RPP does take on the physical attributes of the actor… blindness; height; strength]
Are customs evidentiary or authoritative when determining the RPP standard of care?
Evidentiary
For the RPP in negligence, are emergency situations subjective or objective?
Subjective
What is the majority rule in terms of emergency situations when considering the RPP standard of care?
Standard of care which an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in the face of that emergency
What is the RPC standard of care in majority jurisdictions?
Standard of care which is reasonably expected from a child with like age/intelligence/maturity/training/experience
What is an exception to the RPC standard of care in majority jurisdictions?
Inherently dangerous/adult activities which require adult qualifications
In these instances, minors held to same standard of care as adults
What is the RPC standard of care in minority jurisdictions?
Rule of 7s
<7 – incapable of acting negligently
7-14 – presumed incapable of acting negligently (can be disproved)
>14 – presumed capable of acting negligently (can be disproved)
Is the RPPro standard of care generally objective or subjective? What is the standard in general?
Generally an objective standard
Duty to exercise standard of care an ordinary member of the profession would in the same circumstances
When is expert testimony needed in RPPro?
When the professional is engaged in technical work which lay juror wouldn’t understand without assistance
Does the RPPro apply a duty in cases of mere error in judgment?
No
In what circumstances can an attorney be held negligent in exercising an RPPro standard of care?
Losses to client due to lack of knowledge/skill ordinarily possessed by others in profession; failure to use reasonable care/diligence; failure to exercise good faith/best judgment; lack of due care
In what circumstances can an attorney not be held negligent in exercising an RPPro standard of care?
Mistake in point of law which hasn’t been settled by the courts; mistakes in point of law which a reasonable/well-informed lawyer may also be confused about
What is the standard of care of doctors in RPPro category?
Standard of care that would be exercised by an ordinary member of the medical profession (in skill, knowledge, care normally possessed/exercise)
How is the standard of care different for doctors if they are specialists (under RPPro)?
Must exercise standard of care exercised by ordinary specialist
For doctors under RPPro standard, are customs evidentiary or controlling?
Controlling
What is the minority [strict locality] approach to RPPro (Doctors) “reasonable standard of community”?
Reasonable standard of conduct expected of other members of medical profession in same locality/community
What is the minority [national] approach to RPPro (Doctors) “reasonable standard of community”?
Standard of conduct expected of other members of medical profession nationwide