Torts [the essentials] Flashcards
Prima Facie [intentional torts]
(1) Act by D(2) Intent by D desire to bring about the illegal consequence Causation of result to P from Ds Act [substantial factor in bringing about injury]
Transferred Intent
When the D intends to hurt one person but:
(1) commits a different tort against the person
(2) commits the intended tort against a different person
OR
(3) commits a different tort against a different person
YOU ARE STILL GOING TO BE LIABLE
Can only be used for: [intended + result]-assault-battery-false imprisonment-trespass to land-trespass to chattels
Key Tenants of intentional torts
(1) hypersensitivity of P is ignored–for intentional torts just assume that it is based on a reasonable person
(2) Intentional Torts = NO incapacity defenses [everyone can be liable!]
Intentional torts [against persons]
Battery, Assault, False Imprisonment, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Battery
Intentional Tort
(1) harmful or offensive conduct
(2) contact has to be with the Ps person
-Ps person INCLUDES anything that is touching or is held by the P at the time of contact
-contract does not need to be instantaneous
Assault
Intentional Tort
(1) Act by the D that creates a reasonable apprehension in the P
(2) of an immediate battery (harmful or offensive contact to the Ps person)
Fear is not required–just apprehension
Requirement of immediacy: words alone do not have immediacy [not enough]/words can also negate immediacy
Knowledge: must know whats going on–although do not need to know Ds ID
False imprisonment
Intentional Tort
(1) Act of restraint (2) P must be confined in bounded area
Methods of confinement/restraint:
-physical barriers
-physical force against P, fam, or property
-direct threats of physical force
-failure to release P when under a legal duty to do so
-invalid use of legal authority
a bounded area is one here there is no reasonable means of escape known to the P
-way out must be reasonable–do not have to. use if it is: dangerous, disgusting, humiliating, or hidden
Timing: doesn’t matter how long/or short
Awareness: But P must KNOW they are confined
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Intentional Tort
(1) act by D that is extreme and outrageous conduct
(2) causes the P severe emotional distress
Extreme and Outrageous: this is the type of conduct that transcends all decency tolerated in civilized society
-not enough to upset someone on purpose–must be RIDICULOUS
-mere insults are not considered outrageous
Hallmarks of outrageous shit:
-conduct that is repetitive in nature [continuous]
-D is common carrier or innkeeper
-P is member of fragile class [child, old person, pregnant person]
Intent: unlike other intentional torts–recklessness as to effect of conduct is enough
Exception to hyper-sensitive P rule:
-if D had prior knowledge of specific unique sensitivity of P–is considered outrageous if you go after them for that
Causation in a Bystander Case of IIED:
Ds conduct is directed at third person–but P suffers emotional distress
P must show: (1) prima facie elements of IIED
OR
(1) they were present when the injury occurred; (2) the distress resulted in bodily harm or the P is a close relative of the third person AND (3) the D knew these facts
Intentional Torts [against property]
Trespass to land
Trespass to Chattels
Conversion
Trespass to Land
Intentional Tort
(1) physical invasion
(2) of the Ps real property [of land]
Physical Invasion: Even if you are NOT aware of crossing onto their property–it is still a physical invasion
Intent: need only intent enter onto the land you enter onto
-could ALSO be the throwing of something tangible onto their land
Real Property: includes air above and soil below to a reasonable amount]
Damages: P can recover without showing actual injury to land
Trespass to Chattels
Intentional Tort
SMALL HARM
Intentional interference with Ps personal property that warrants D pay damages
Personal Property: is everything that is not land + includes money
Interference: damaging chattel or depriving P of the rightful possession of chattel
Intent: to do an act of interference
-mistaken believe that property is theres is no defense
Conversion
Intention Tort
BIG HARM–“break it, you buy it”
Intentional interference with Ps personal property so serious as to warrant D pay full value of the property
-the longer the withholding or the more damage–the more likely it is conversion of trespass to chattel
Intent: to do an act of interference
-mistaken believe that property is theres is no defense
Damages P may recover damages [fair market value at time of conversion] or possession [replevin]
Defenses to Intentional Torts
(1) Consent [express + implied]
(2) Self Defense
(3) Defense of Others
(4) Defense of Property
(5) Necessity
Consent
All consent has a scope
Questions:
(1) was there valid consent
(2) did the D stay within the boudnaries of the consent
-must also consider legal capacity
-no legal capacity = drunk people and very young kids
-some legal capacity: older kids + adults with mild intellectual disabilities
Ex: two kids [no capacity] but they can consent to wrestle with each other
Express Consent:
D is not liable if the P expressly consent to the Ds conduct:
Exceptions:
(1) mistake will undo express consent IF the D knew of and took advantage of the mistake
(2) fraud re essential matter
(3) consent via duress
Implied Consent:
What a reasonable person would infer from custom and usage or Ps conduct
(1) social custom + usage [if P voluntary takes party in conduct where invasions happen–they are consenting]
(2) Body language–Ds reasonable interpretation
Self defense
Self Defense:
Person reasonably believes that they are being or are about to be attacked, they may use such force as is reasonably necessary to protect against injury
Majority Rule: no duty to retreat
Modern Rule: duty to retreat if safe but not if in Ds home
-not available to the original aggressor unless the P responds to non-deadly force with deadly force
Defense of Others
Defense of others:
Person may use force to defend another when they reasonably believe that the other person could have used force to defend themselves
-reasonably mistake is permitted
-same degree of force calculation as in self-defense
Defense of Property
Defense of Property:
May use reasonable force to prevent the commission of a tort against real or person property
May also use force in hot pursuit of one who has tortiously taken their personal belongs–looked at as still in progress
-mistake is not allowed as to whether the other person has a privilege that is greater than the property right
-may use reasonable force but may NOT use force causing death or serious bodily harm unless faced with it
ALSO DO NOT SET DEADLY TRAPS