Torts - Negligence 2
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- Negligence
- conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm
- What are the elements of a cause of action for Negligence?
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Duty
Breach of Duty
Causation
Damages - What is a duty?
- a legal obligation recognized by law requiring an actor to conform to a standard of conduct for protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm
- How is a duty established?
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forseeability of harm - existence in situation of some real likelihood damage and likelihood of such weight to reasonably induce action to avoid it of person of reasonably prudent mind
B < PL
(Burden < Probability x Injury) - What is the standard of care?
- reasonable man of ordinary prudence under like circumstances
- What are exceptions to the reasonable man standard?
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- a child held to reasonable person of like age, intelligence, and experience under like circumstances (unless engaged in adult activity)
- actor w/ superior knowledge is held to a reasonable person with superior knowledge under like circumstances
- disabled person held to reasonable in light of infirmity, but must take precautions that ordinary reasonable man would take if he were disabled - May an actor be liable for negligence in an emergency situation?
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If the event is unforeseen, sudden, and unexpected - NO
if the event is caused by the actor - YES - What is the standard of care for professionals?
- actor must exercise the skill and knowledge normally possessed by members of that profession or trade in good standing in similar communities
- When is expert testimony necessary to prove a standard of care?
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- if the negligence is not apparent for a laymen to recognize
- to show treatment deviated from the method approved by the medical community - Negligence Per Se
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violation of a statute
negligence by itself; a duty established by the legislature that if breached and causes injury results in liability for negligence - Exceptions for Negligence Per Se
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- where compliance would cause more danger than violation
- where compliance is beyond actor's control -
Breach of Duty
(Proof) -
must show what in fact happened
must be shown from these facts that defendant acted unreasonably - How is the breach of duty established?
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- custom or usage
- violation of statute
- res ipsa loquitur - Res Ipsa Loquitur
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"the thing speaks for itself"
the mere fact of the events raises the inference of negligence - What are the required preconditions of Res Ipsa Loquitur?
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- under exclusive control of the defendant or defendant servants
- not happen in ordinary time with reasonable care - Is there a conclusive presumption of duty and breach in negligence per se?
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Yes and no.
Majority - irrebuttable presumption of negligence that cannot be overcome
Minority - rebuttable presumption overcome by intro of contrary evidence - What if there are multiple defendants involved in Res Ipsa Loquitur?
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Res Ipsa Loquitur may generally not be used to establish negligence
(but see: defendants must establish his negligence did not cause the injury) - Sine Qua Non
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"without which not"
indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient
Causation in Fact - How is actual cause established?
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- "but for" test
- substantial factor test - "but for" test
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when the injury would not have occurred BUT FOR the act
(when several acts combine but none alone would be sufficient to cause injury) - substantial factor test
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if defendant's conduct was a material element and substantial factor in bringing about the injury
(where several causes concur and any one alone would be sufficient to cause injury) - Proximate Cause
- standard placed by courts for limiting liability for consequences of act so the defendant is not held liable for highly extraordinary consequences of conduct
- What tests determine whether the act is the proximate cause of harm?
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Foreseeability (Cardozo - Danger Zone)
Hindsight (Andrews - anyone reasonably foreseeable) - eggshell skull rule
- a defendant is liable for aggravation of an existing injury, regardless if the magnitude of the injury is foreseeable (take the plaintiff as he finds him)
- Intervening Superseding Cause
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cuts off liability
To determine:
- unforeseeable in normal course of events OR
- extraordinary OR
- independent of or far removed and not stimulated by the conduct of the actor -
Is suicide an intervening superseding cause?
What about a criminal act? -
No
Sometimes - What is the Rescue Doctrine?
- a defendant is liable for any harm to person resulting from that person giving aid or protection to imperiled person, as long as harm results from risk in giving aid
- What are compensatory damages?
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- restore the victim to status before the injury
- award the closest possile financial equivalent of loss or harm - What are punitive damages?
- awarded to punish, make an example of, or deter the defendant
- What are nominal damages?
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a small sum to vindicate rights, carry part of the costs of action, or prevent the defendant from acquiring rights
(damages "in name only") - What damages are available for personal injuries?
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special damages (economic)
general damages (non-economic) - What is the maximum recovery rule?
- when a jury exceeds the maximum amount a jury could reasonably find, a judge may reduce the award to the highest amount properly found
- What kind of damages must a plaintiff show in a cause of action for negligence?
- Actual damages must be shown to recover for negligence.
- What is an action for Wrongful Death?
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Statutory law allowing certain beneficiaries to recover pecuniary damages for the death of a victim.
(this action is for the beneficiaries' damages) - Distinguish a Survival Action and an Action for Wrongful Death.
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Survival Action - cause of action for decedent's estate for injuries or damages prior to death
Wrongful Death - beneficiaries of the decedent to bring an action for loss and consortium due to death from defendant's tortious conduct - What is Contributory Negligence?
- Conduct that falls below the standard of care established by law for the protection of others from unreasonable risk of harm by the PLAINTIFF
- What purpose does Contributory Negligence serve?
- An affirmative defense for the defendant that requires proof of the 4 elements of an action for negligence.
- What is the doctrine of last clear chance?
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If the defendant has the opportunity to avoid the accident after the opportunity is not longer available to the plaintiff, the defendant is liable
TRUMPS contributory negligence defense - Define Cause
- the process by which A brings about B
- Define Foreseeability of Harm
- existence in situation of some real likelihood of damage and likelihood of such weight to reasonably induce action to avoid it of person of reasonably prudent mind
- What is a Survival Action?
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lawsuit brought on behalf of decedent's estate for damages or injuries incurred by the decedent immediately prior to death
(this action is for decedent's damages, had he lived)