Torts Outline 2005: Emanuel, Steven: 9780735551879: Book: History: eCampus.com

Preface

xxxvii

Casebook Correlation Chart

xxxix

Capsule Summary

(1)

Introduction

Nature of Tort Law

(1)

No satisfactory definition

(1)

Categories of Torts

(3)

Three types of defendant conduct

(1)

Historical overview

(2)

Combined torts

(1)

Significance of distinction

(1)

Analyzing tort problems

(1)

Basic Requirements

(1)

Are Defenses Available?

(1)

What Damages?

(1)

Sources of Law

(2)

Intentional Torts Against the Person

``Intent'' Defined

(3)

Intent generally

(1)

Summary of rule

(1)

Intent to commit different tort

(1)

``Substantial certainty''

(1)

No intent to harm necessary

(1)

Transferred intent

(1)

Nominal and Punitive Damages

(1)

Significance of intent

(1)

Nominal damages

(1)

Punitive damages

(1)

Scope of Liability

(1)

Distinction

(1)

Battery

(2)

Battery generally

(1)

Intent

(1)

Harmful or offensive contact

(1)

Reasonableness standard for ``offensive'' contact

(1)

Ordinary and reasonable contacts

(1)

Where defendant has knowledge of plaintiff's sensitivity

(1)

Extends to personal effects

(1)

Indirect contact

(1)

Plaintiff's awareness of contact

(1)

Unforeseen consequences

(1)

Damages

(1)

Mental disturbance

(1)

Punitive damages

(1)

Assault

(4)

Definition

(1)

Explanation

(1)

Intent

(1)

Intended apprehension

(1)

Attempted battery

(1)

No hostility required

(1)

Transferred intent

(1)

``Words alone'' rule

(1)

Imminence of threatened contact

(1)

Future threats

(1)

Present ability to commit harm

(1)

Plaintiff unaware of danger

(1)

Apprehension is not same as fear

(1)

Where threat by itself incapable of performance

(1)

Unreasonable apprehension

(1)

Threat to third persons not actionable

(1)

Ability to carry out threat

(1)

Conditional threats

(1)

Question of legal right

(1)

Assault is not attempted battery

(1)

Abandoned attempt

(1)

Damages

(1)

False Imprisonment

(4)

Definition

(1)

Intent

(1)

Transferred intent

(1)

Nature of confinement

(1)

Confinement

(1)

Means of escape

(1)

Means must be ``reasonable''

(1)

Means by which confinement enforced

(1)

Use of threats

(1)

Assertion of legal authority

(2)

Duty to aid in escape or release

(1)

Necessity that plaintiff know of confinement

(1)

Damages

(1)

Infliction of Mental Distress

(16)

Definition

(1)

Intent

(1)

Meaning of ``reckless''

(1)

``Transferred intent''

(1)

Emotional distress where other tort attempted

(1)

Extreme and outrageous conduct

(1)

Actual severe distress

(1)

Public utility and common carrier liability

(1)

Quiz Yourself on Intentional Torts Against the Person (Entire Chapter)

(3)

Exam Tips on Intentional Torts

(7)

Intentional Interference with Property

Trespass to Land

(6)

Definition

(1)

Intentional trespass

(1)

Kind of intent required

(1)

Effect of mistake

(1)

Damages

(1)

Scope of recovery

(1)

Only possessor has claim

(1)

Indirect invasions

(1)

Entry substantially certain

(1)

Causing entry to third person

(1)

Blasting damage

(1)

Particles and gasses

(1)

Air space

(1)

Refusal to leave as trespass

(1)

Continuing trespass

(1)

Trespass to Chattels

(1)

Torts against personal property generally

(1)

Definition

(1)

Intent

(1)

Must be actual damages

(1)

Loss of possession

(1)

Return of chattel

(1)

Protects possessory interest

(1)

Conversion

(11)

Introduction

(1)

Intent

(1)

Negligence

(1)

What can be converted

(1)

Character of defendant's act

(1)

Kinds of interference

(1)

Acquiring possession

(1)

Removal of goods

(1)

Transferring the chattel

(1)

Withholding goods

(1)

Destruction or alteration of the goods

(1)

Use of the chattel

(1)

Assertion of ownership

(1)

Who may sue

(1)

Suit by thief

(1)

Owner not in possession

(1)

Return of the chattel

(1)

Quiz Yourself on Intentional Interference with Property (Entire Chapter)

(1)

Exam Tips on Intentional Interference with Property

(4)

Defenses to Intentional Torts

Introduction

(2)

Defenses generally

(1)

Privileges

(1)

Mistake

(1)

Consent

(7)

General rule on consent

(1)

No operation in negligence cases

(1)

Implied consent

(1)

Objective manifestation

(1)

Real but unmanifested consent

(1)

Custom

(1)

Inaction

(1)

Lack of capacity to consent

(1)

Exception

(1)

Consent by relative

(1)

Exceeding scope of consent

(1)

Consent to act, not consequences

(1)

Surgery

(2)

Professional athlete's consent

(1)

Consent due to mistake

(1)

Mistake known or induced by defendant

(1)

Medical cases

(1)

Duress

(1)

Consent to criminal acts

(1)

Majority rule

(1)

Certain class protected

(1)

Self Defense

(4)

Privilege generally

(1)

Two issues

(1)

What may be defended against

(1)

Apparent necessity

(1)

Contrast

(1)

Protection only

(1)

Retaliation

(1)

Disarmed or helpless adversary

(1)

Words alone

(1)

Future harm

(1)

Degree of force

(1)

Both sides with claims

(1)

Minor assaults

(1)

Deadly force

(1)

Retreat

(1)

Ordinary rules apply in dwelling

(1)

Injury to third person

(1)

Defense of Others

(1)

General rule

(1)

Degree of force

(1)

Reasonable mistake

(1)

Defense of Property

(4)

General rule

(1)

Reasonable force

(1)

Duty to use words

(1)

Mistake

(1)

Mistake as to danger

(1)

Mistake as to intruder's privilege

(1)

Deadly force

(1)

Serious bodily harm

(1)

Where expulsion would injure intruder

(1)

Mechanical devices

(1)

Trespasser

(1)

Reasonable mistake

(1)

Spring gun case

(1)

Warning

(1)

Recapture of Chattels

(3)

General right

(1)

Similar to defense of possession

(1)

Detention by merchant

(1)

Entry on land

(1)

Re-Entry on Land

(1)

Privilege generally

(1)

Majority rule

(1)

Necessity

(3)

Directed towards innocent person

(1)

General scope

(1)

Public necessity

(1)

Private necessity

(2)

Arrest and Other Authority of Law

(1)

Generally

(1)

Common law rules

(1)

Arrest with warrant

(1)

Arrest without warrant

(1)

Reasonable force

(1)

Privilege to use force in resisting arrest

(1)

Discipline

(1)

Generally

(1)

Justification

Justification as a ``catch-all'' defense

Quiz Yourself on Defenses to Intentional Torts (Entire Chapter)

Exam Tips on Defenses to Intentional Torts

Negligence Generally

Introduction

(11)

Distinguished from intentional torts

(1)

Components of Cause of Action

(1)

Unreasonable Risk

(4)

Imposition of risk

(1)

Balancing test

(1)

Calculation of burden

(1)

Restatement standard

(1)

Warnings

(1)

Activity level vs. care level

(1)

The Reasonable Person

(10)

Objective standard

(1)

Physical and mental characteristics

(1)

Physical disability

(1)

Mental attributes

(1)

Imbecility or insanity

(1)

Intoxication

(1)

Children

(1)

Knowledge

100

(1)

Ordinary experience

100

(1)

Stranger to community

100

(1)

Duty to investigate

100

(1)

Memory

101

(1)

Distractions

101

(1)

Some frailties remain

101

(1)

Custom

101

(1)

Not conclusive

101

(1)

Advances in technology

102

(1)

Emergency

102

(1)

Emergency caused by defendant

102

(1)

Negligence still possible

102

(1)

Instructions

103

(1)

Activity requiring special training

103

(1)

Anticipating conduct of others

103

(1)

Negligence of others

103

(1)

Criminal and intentionally tortious acts

104

(1)

Misrepresentation

105

(1)

Malpractice

106

(4)

Superior ability or knowledge

106

(1)

Malpractice generally

106

(1)

Good results not guaranteed

106

(1)

Differing schools

106

(1)

Specialists held to a higher standard

107

(1)

Need for expert testimony

107

(1)

Professional standard as negligence

108

(1)

``Standards of the community''

108

(1)

Objective standard for professional

108

(1)

Informed consent

109

(1)

Novice

109

(1)

Automobile Guest Statutes

110

(1)

Rules of Law Governing Behavior

111

(1)

Judge-made standards

111

(1)

Violation of Statute (Negligence Per Se)

111

(7)

Significance of statutory violation

111

(1)

``Negligence per se doctrine''

111

(1)

Penal statutes

112

(1)

Ordinances and administrative regulations

112

(1)

Statute must apply to facts

113

(1)

Protection against particular harm

113

(1)

Class of persons protected

113

(1)

Causal link

114

(1)

Excuse of violation

114

(1)

Absolute duties

114

(1)

Rebuttable presumption or excuse

115

(1)

Foolish or obsolete legislation

116

(1)

Effect of the plaintiff's contributory negligence

116

(1)

Contributory negligence per se

116

(1)

Violation as evidence

117

(1)

Per se doctrine not available for federal claims

117

(1)

Compliance with statute not dispositive

118

(1)

Procedure in Jury Trials

118

(3)

Aspects of procedure

118

(1)

Burden of proof

118

(2)

Circumstantial evidence

120

(1)

Function of judge and jury

120

(1)

Res IPSA Loquitur

121

(16)

Aid in proving the case

121

(1)

Requirements for doctrine

122

(1)

No direct evidence of D's conduct

122

(1)

Inference of someone's negligence

122

(1)

Aviation

123

(1)

Showing that negligence was defendant's

123

(1)

Modern view

123

(2)

Not due to plaintiff

125

(1)

Contributory negligence

125

(1)

Evidence more available to defendant

125

(1)

Breach of duty

125

(1)

Effect of res ipsa

126

(1)

Third Restatement's stripped-down approach

127

(1)

Defendant's rebuttal evidence

127

(1)

Quiz Yourself on Negligence Generally (Entire Chapter)

128

(3)

Exam Tips on Negligence

131

(6)

Actual and Proximate Cause

Causation in Fact

137

(10)

General significance

137

(1)

``But for'' test

137

(1)

Concurrent causes

138

(1)

Proof of actual cause

139

(1)

Proof of ``but for'' aspect

139

(1)

Expert testimony

140

(1)

Scientific evidence

141

(1)

Increased risk, followed by actual damage

142

(1)

Increased risk, not yet followed by actual damage

143

(1)

``Double fault and alternative liability''

144

(1)

The ``market share'' theory

144

(3)

``Indeterminate plaintiff'' problem

147

(1)

Proximate Cause Generally

147

(2)

Scope of problem

147

(1)

Relation to ``cause in fact''

148

(1)

Multiple proximate causes

148

(1)

Joint tortfeasors

148

(1)

Proximate Cause --- The Foreseeability Problem

149

(8)

Need for dividing line

149

(1)

The ``direct causation'' view

149

(1)

The foreseeability view

150

(1)

Wagon Mound case

150

(1)

Unforeseeable plaintiff

151

(2)

Cardozo rule generally followed

153

(1)

Third Restatement follows Cardozo view

153

(1)

Exceptions to the Cardozo approach

154

(3)

Proximate Cause --- Intervening Causes

157

(8)

Nature of intervening cause

157

(1)

Superseding cause

157

(1)

Foreseeability rule

157

(1)

Foreseeable intervening causes

157

(1)

Illustration of scope of risk

157

(1)

Acts of nature generally

158

(1)

Risk of harm must be increased

158

(1)

Foreseeable negligence

158

(1)

Criminal or intentionally tortious conduct

159

(1)

Weakening of ``foreseeable''

159

(1)

``Normal'' intervention

160

(2)

Unforeseeable intervention but foreseeable result

162

(1)

Rationale

162

(1)

Criminality or intentional tort

162

(1)

Unforeseeable intervention with unforeseeable results

163

(1)

Extraordinary acts of nature

163

(1)

Other extraordinary acts

163

(1)

Dependent vs. independent causes

164

(1)

Function of judge and jury

165

(1)

Shifting Responsibility

165

(8)

Nature of problem

165

(1)

No general rule

165

(1)

Contract or other agreement on responsibility

165

(1)

Cases where there is no agreement

165

(1)

Third person's failure to discover defect

165

(1)

Quiz Yourself on Actual and Proximate Cause (Entire Chapter)

166

(2)

Exam Tips on Actual and Proximate Cause

168

(5)

Joint Tortfeasors

Joint Liability

173

(5)

Joint liability for concurrent wrongdoing

173

(1)

Joint liability for indivisible result (traditional rule)

173

(1)

Indivisible harm

174

(1)

Modern trend cuts back on joint-and-several liability

174

(2)

No joint-and-several liability for divisible harms

176

(1)

Action in concert

176

(1)

Successive injuries

177

(1)

Overlapping liability

177

(1)

Indivisible harms

177

(1)

Satisfaction

178

(1)

Release

178

(1)

Significance of release

178

(1)

Contribution

179

(3)

Contribution generally

179

(1)

Historically limited

179

(1)

Present limitations

180

(1)

No intentional torts

180

(1)

Contribution defendant must have liability

180

(1)

Other barriers to suit

180

(1)

Settlements

181

(1)

Settlement by contribution plaintiff

181

(1)

Settlement by contribution defendant

181

(1)

Indemnity

182

(5)

Concept of indemnity generally

182

(1)

No general rule

182

(1)

Vicarious liability

182

(1)

Failure to discover defect

182

(1)

Contract

183

(1)

Quiz Yourself on Joint Tortfeasors (Entire Chapter)

183

(1)

Exam Tips on Joint Tortfeasors

184

(3)

Duty

``Duty'' Generally

187

(1)

Failure to Act

188

(7)

No general duty to act

188

(1)

Misfeasance v. nonfeasance

188

(1)

Duty to protect or give aid

188

(1)

Exceptions

189

(1)

Special relationship

189

(1)

Defendant involved in injury

190

(1)

Defendant and victim as co-venturers

191

(1)

Assumption of duty

191

(1)

What constitutes undertaking

192

(1)

Duty to control others

193

(1)

Vermont statute

194

(1)

Good Samaritan protection for physicians

194

(1)

Effect of a Contract

195

(4)

Relation between tort and contract

195

(1)

Traditional distinction between misfeasance and nonfeasance

195

(1)

Party to the contract; nonfeasance

195

(1)

Party to the contract; misfeasance

195

(1)

Election

195

(1)

Insurer's failure to settle

196

(1)

Breach of duty of ``good faith and fair dealing''

196

(1)

Non-party to contract; nonfeasance

197

(1)

Non-party to the contract; misfeasance

197

(2)

Mental Suffering

199

(5)

Duty to avoid imposition of suffering

199

(1)

Parasitic element of damages in physical impact cases

199

(1)

Mental suffering without physical impact

199

(1)

Recovery not allowed where no physical symptoms

199

(3)

Physical injury without impact

202

(1)

Fear for safety of others

202

(2)

Unborn Children

204

(2)

Scope of problem

204

(1)

Modern view

204

(1)

Viability

204

(1)

Requirement that child be born alive

204

(1)

Pre-conception injuries

205

(1)

``Wrongful life''

205

(1)

Pure Economic Loss

206

(10)

The problem generally

206

(1)

Traditional rule disallows pure economic losses

206

(2)

Modern approach

208

(2)

Quiz Yourself on Duty (Entire Chapter)

210

(1)

Exam Tips on Duty

210

(6)

Owners and Occupiers of Land

Historical Introduction

216

(1)

Outside the Premises

216

(2)

Natural v. artificial conditions

216

(1)

Natural hazards

216

(1)

Artificial hazards

217

(1)

Conduct of others

217

(1)

Injuries on the Premises Generally

218

(1)

Trespassers

219

(3)

General rule as to trespassers

219

(1)

Exceptions

219

(1)

Constant trespass on limited area

219

(1)

Discovered trespassers

219

(1)

Trespassing children

220

(2)

Licensees

222

(1)

Significance of being a ``licensee''

222

(1)

Social guests

222

(1)

Dangerous activities

223

(1)

Automobile guests

223

(1)

Invitees

223

(5)

Significance of distinction from licensees

223

(1)

Who is invitee

223

(1)

Old view

224

(1)

The modern view

224

(1)

Scope of invitation

224

(1)

Duty of due care

225

(1)

Duty to inspect

225

(1)

Warning of ``obvious'' or ``known'' defects

225

(1)

Duty varies with use

225

(3)

Rejection of Categories

228

(1)

Rejection of categories

228

(1)

Liability of Lessors and Lessees

229

(4)

Lessee

229

(1)

Liability

229

(1)

Common areas

229

(1)

Lessor's liability

229

(1)

Danger unknown to lessee which should be known to lessor

229

(1)

Rented property to be held open to public

230

(1)

Common areas kept under control of lessor

230

(1)

Lessor contracts to repair

230

(1)