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Tables of Contents for Torts & Personal Injury Law
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Preface
xix
Table of Cases
xxv
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Torts and Legal Analysis
1
16
1.1 Introduction
2
1
1.2 Torts Defined
2
2
Sources of Tort Law
3
1
Broad Categories of Tort Law
3
1
1.3 History of Tort Law
4
1
The King's Writs
5
1
Evolution of Modern Tort Law
5
1
1.4 Public Policy Objectives in Tort Law
5
2
Protecting Persons and Property: Accountability
5
1
Minimum Standards of Conduct: Deterrence
6
1
Allocating Losses among Different Individuals or Groups
6
1
1.5 Analyzing Hypothetical Problems
7
1
Analytical Framework for Hypotheticals: IRAC
7
1
Factual Distinctions Result in Different Conclusions
8
1
1.6 Solving Tort Problems
8
2
Tort Analysis: From General to Specific
8
1
Hypothetical
9
1
1.7 Overview of a Civil Case
10
2
Complaint
10
1
Answer
11
1
Discovery
11
1
Pretrial Procedures
11
1
Trial
11
1
Post-Trial Procedures
12
1
1.8 Case Resolution
12
5
Alternate Dispute Resolution
12
1
Arbitration
12
1
Mediation
12
1
Minitrial
12
1
Rent-a-Judge
12
1
Summary Jury Trial
13
4
CHAPTER 2 Negligence
17
42
2.1 Introduction
18
1
2.2 Negligence
18
1
Negligence Defined: Reasonable Care
18
1
Acts or Omissions
19
1
2.3 Elements of Negligence
19
1
2.4 Scope of Duty and Standard of Reasonable Care
20
10
Duty Defined
20
1
Scope of Duty
20
2
Foreseeability
22
1
Foreseeable Plaintiffs Theory
23
1
Standard of Reasonable Care
23
1
The Reasonable Person Standard
24
1
Professional Malpractice
25
1
Matching Skill and Disabilities
25
1
Medical Malpractice
26
2
Special Duty Based upon Special Relationship
28
2
2.5 Causation of Injury
30
7
Cause-in-Fact
31
1
Substantial Factor Analysis
31
2
Joint and Several Liability
33
1
Contribution
34
1
Courts and Causation
34
3
2.6 Proximate Cause
37
8
Foreseeability of Injury
37
1
Proximate Cause and Scope of Duty Combined
38
4
"Taking the Victim as You Find Him"
42
3
2.7 Damages
45
3
Compensatory Damages
46
1
General Damages
46
1
Special Damages
46
1
Economical and Non-Economical Damages
46
1
Verdict
46
1
Nominal Damages
47
1
Punitive Damages
47
1
2.8 Proving Negligence
48
5
Burdens of Proof and Rejoinder
49
1
Res Ipsa Loquitur
49
4
2.9 Violation of a Statute
53
6
CHAPTER 3 Special Negligence Actions
59
32
3.1 Introduction
60
1
3.2 Premises Liability
60
13
Land Owner's Different Duties of Reasonable Care
61
1
Victim's Status on Land Defines Scope of Duty
61
1
Modern Judicial Trends
61
1
Land Owner's "Zero Duty" Toward Trespassers
62
1
Special Rule for Trespassing Children: Attractive Nuisance
62
4
Licensees Defined
66
1
Land Owner's Duty of Reasonable Care Toward Licensees
66
1
Invitees Defined
67
1
Land Owner's Highest Duty of Reasonable Care Toward Invitees
68
1
Invitees and Licensees Distinguished
68
1
Implicit or Express Invitation
68
1
Limited Areas of Invitation
68
2
Using Traditional Negligence Theory in Land Owner Cases
70
3
3.3 Vicarious Liability
73
5
Vicarious Liability Defined
73
1
Employment Not an Essential Element
73
1
Respondeat Superior
74
1
Coming and Going Rule
74
1
Frolic and Detour Rule
75
1
Independent Contractors
75
1
Motor Vehicle Vicarious Liability
76
2
3.4 Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
78
6
Extra Elements in the Common Law
78
1
Impact Rule
78
1
Physical Manifestations Rule
79
1
Zone of Danger Rule
79
2
Family Relationships Rule
81
1
California Approach
81
3
3.5 Negligence Per Se
84
7
Defenses to Negligence Per Se
84
1
Plaintiff Within Class of Persons Protected by Statute
85
1
Absolute Liability Mislabeled as Negligence Per Se
85
1
Toxic Torts as Negligence Per Se
86
5
CHAPTER 4 Defenses to Negligence
91
20
4.1 Introduction
92
1
4.2 How Negligence Defenses Are Used
92
1
4.3 Contributory Negligence and Last clear Chance
93
2
Contributory Negligence Defined
93
1
Last Clear Chance
94
1
4.4 Comparative Negligence
95
4
Elements
95
1
The Balancing Act
95
1
Criticism of Comparative Negligence
96
3
4.5 Assumption of Risk
99
5
Voluntary Assumption of Known Risk
100
1
Full Appreciation of Danger
100
1
Proof of Assumption of Risk
101
1
The Complete Defense
101
3
4.6 Statutes of Limitations
104
7
CHAPTER 5 Intentional Torts: Injuries to Persons
111
62
5.1 Intentional Torts in General
112
1
Intent and Action Together
112
1
Crime versus Torts
113
1
5.2 Assault and Battery
113
9
Assault Defined
114
2
Battery Defined
116
1
Transferred Intent
117
5
5.3 False Imprisonment
122
8
Confinement
122
2
Physical Barriers Restricting Movement
124
1
Express or Implied Threats of Force
125
1
Captive's Consent to Confinement
125
1
Intent to Confine
125
1
Confinement for Appreciable Time Period
126
1
No Reasonable Means of Escape
126
4
5.4 Infliction of Emotional Distress
130
10
Intentional Infliction
130
1
Outrageous Conduct
130
5
Reckless Infliction
135
1
Sexual Harassment
136
4
5.5 Fraud and Misrepresentation
140
5
Definitions and Distinctions
140
1
False Statements Intended to Deceive
141
1
Knowledge of Falsity of Information
141
1
Tortfeasor's Profit from Deception
141
1
Innocent Party's Injury
141
4
5.6 Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process
145
6
Malixious Prosecution
145
1
Groundless Criminal Prosecution
145
1
Abuse of Process
146
5
5.7 Invasion of Privacy
151
9
Appropriation
151
1
Unreasonable Intrusion
151
5
Public Disclosure of Private Facts
156
2
False Light in the Public Eye
158
2
5.8 Defamation: Libel and Slander
160
13
Nature of the Statement
160
1
Harm to Reputation in the Community
161
1
Publication
161
1
Public Figures
161
1
Slander Per Se
161
1
Truth and Privilege as Absolute Defenses
162
11
CHAPTER 6 Intentional Torts: Injuries to Property
173
46
6.1 Introduction
174
1
6.2 Trespass to Land
174
7
Elements of Trespass to Land
174
1
Entry Defined
175
1
Unauthorized Entry
175
1
No Actual Harm Required
176
1
Intentional Interference
176
1
Possession: Land Owner's Exclusive Right to Use
176
3
Trespass Above and Below Land: Is the Sky the Limit?
179
2
6.3 Toxic Tort Actions
181
7
Nature of the Problem
181
4
Toxic Trespass
185
3
Importance of Environmental Statutes
188
1
6.4 Trespass to Chattel
188
6
Unauthorized Possession of Another's Chattel
189
1
Unauthorized Interference with Use
189
2
Intent to Deprive or Interfere
191
3
6.5 Conversion
194
6
History
194
1
Elements of Conversion
195
1
Depriving of Possession
195
1
Extent of Deprivation
195
1
Methods of Depriving
195
1
Intent to Deprive and Convert to Own Use
196
1
Lack of Consent
196
2
Conversion as a Crime
198
2
6.6 Slander of Title, Commercial Disparagement, and Defamation by Computer
200
19
Slander of Title
200
1
Commercial Disparagement
201
3
Defamation by Computer
204
1
Computerized Credit Reporting
204
5
Creation of a New Tort
209
10
CHAPTER 7 Defenses to Intentional Torts
219
42
7.1 Introduction
220
1
7.2 Self Defense
221
3
Reasonable Force
222
1
Countering an Attacking or Offensive Force
222
1
Force Necessary to Prevent Injury, Offensive Contact, or Confinement
222
2
7.3 Defense of Persons or Property
224
4
Defense of Persons: Elements
224
1
Defense of Property: Elements
225
3
7.4 Rightful Repossession
228
5
Retaking Possession of Personal Property
229
1
Prompt Repossession Efforts
229
1
Wrongful Denial of Possession
229
1
Wrongful Dispossession
230
3
7.5 Consent
233
4
Informed Consent: Voluntary Acceptance
234
1
Implied Consent
234
3
7.6 Mistake
237
3
Good-Faith Conviction
238
1
Belief Based upon Inaccurate Information
238
1
Otherwise Tortious Acts
238
1
The Restatement (Second) of Tots
238
2
7.7 Privilege
240
3
Motives and Socially Desirable Goals
240
1
Less Injurious Alternatives
241
1
Similarity Between Privilege and Other Defenses
241
1
The Restatement (Second) Position
241
2
7.8 Necessity
243
3
Thwarting a More Substantial Harm
243
1
External Forces
244
1
Reasonably Necessary Action
244
1
The Restatement (Second) Position
245
1
7.9 Public Officer's Immunity for Legal Process Enforcement
246
4
Service of Process
247
1
Execution Sales
247
1
Attachment or Replevin
247
1
Arrest by Warrant
248
1
Prosecutors and Judges
248
2
7.10 Warrantless Arrest by Law Enforcement Officials or Citizens
250
2
7.11 Statutes of Limitations
252
2
7.12 Workers' Compensation
254
7
CHAPTER 8 Strict, or Absolute, Liability
261
26
8.1 Introduction
262
1
8.2 An Overview of Strict Liability
262
2
Fault Is Irrelevant
262
1
Limitations to Absolute Liability
263
1
Public Policy Objectives Behind Strict Liability
263
1
Insurance Analogy
263
1
Historical Development
263
1
8.3 Abnormally Dangerous Activities
264
9
Restatement (Second) Rule
264
2
Hazards Outweigh Benefits: Balancing Test
266
2
Defenses
268
3
Public Policy Objectives Behind Statutory Immunity
271
2
8.4 Mass Torts
273
3
8.5 Animal Owners' Liability
276
5
Wild Animals Defined
276
1
Ownership of Wildlife
276
1
Importance of Wildlife Ownership
276
1
Comparison with Domesticated Animals
277
1
Vicious Propensity Rule
277
1
Defenses in Animal Absolute Liability Cases
277
2
Dog-Bite Statutes
279
2
8.6 Scope of Liability: Proximate Cause
281
6
No Duty of Reasonable Care
282
5
CHAPTER 9 Products Liability
287
32
9.1 Introduction
288
1
9.2 Products Liability Theory and History
288
5
Public Policy Objectives Behind Products Liability
289
1
Historical Development of Products Liability
289
4
9.3 Parties
293
2
Manufacturers and Sellers
293
1
The Ultimate User
294
1
9.4 Elements
295
11
No Privity of Contract Requirement
295
1
Negligence Is Irrelevant
295
1
a Typical Products Liability Formula
295
1
Restatement (Second) Rule
296
1
Unreasonably Dangerous Products
296
1
Consumer Contemplation Test
297
1
Danger/Utility Test
298
1
Business Requirement
299
1
Substantially Unchanged Condition Requirement
299
1
Proximate Cause
300
1
Proper Use Requirement
300
2
Foreseeable Plaintiffs Theory
302
4
9.5 Defenses
306
8
Contributory or Comparative Negligence Not a Defense
307
1
Ultimate User's Misuse of Product
307
1
Assumption of Risk
308
6
9.6 Comparison to Contract Law Warranties
314
1
9.7 Bad Faith
314
5
CHAPTER 10 Special Tort Actions
319
36
10.1 Introduction
320
1
10.2 Nuisances
320
11
Private Nuisance Defined
321
1
Unreasonable and Substantial Defined
321
1
Community Standard
321
1
Use and Enjoyment
321
1
Classic Examples
321
1
Physical Effects on Land
322
4
"Coming to the Nuisance Defense"
326
5
10.3 Public Nuisances
331
5
Use and Enjoyment of Common Legal Rights
331
1
Governments as Plaintiffs
331
1
Types of Public Nuisances
331
1
Mixed Nuisances
332
1
Nuisances Per Se
332
1
"Coming to the Nuisance" Not a Defense
332
4
10.4 Remedies or Nuisances
336
7
Abatement
337
1
Money Damage's
337
1
Injunctions
337
4
Review of Hypotheticals
341
2
10.5 Survival Statutes and Wrongful Death Statutes
343
4
Typical Facts in Wrongful Death Cases
343
1
Plaintiffs in Wrongful Death Actions
343
1
Damages
344
1
Loss of Consortium
344
1
Defenses
344
3
10.6 Wrongful Birth
347
8
Typical Fact Pattern: Genetic Counseling Gone Awry
347
1
Wrongful Life: The New Tort
348
7
CHAPTER 11 Tort Immunities
355
16
11.1 Introduction
356
1
11.2 Governmental, or Sovereign, Immunity
356
3
History
356
1
Modern Applications
357
1
Difficulty with the Governmental/Proprietary Distinction
358
1
Modern Steps to Eliminate the Distinction
358
1
Suits Against States
358
1
11.3 Public Officers
359
3
Exceptions
359
1
Who Is Protected
359
1
Rationale for Immunity
359
3
11.4 Children of Tender Years
362
3
Definition
362
1
Absolute Immunity for Intentional Torts
362
1
Immunity from Negligence
362
3
11.5 Spousal/Family Immunity
365
1
Spousal Immunity
365
1
Family Immunity (parent/child)
365
1
11.6 Workers' Compensation
366
5
CHAPTER 12 Paralegal Ethics
371
24
12.1 Introduction
372
1
12.2 NALA Ethics Code and Guidelines
372
7
Restricted Duties
372
1
NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants
373
2
Paralegal Representation Before Administrative Agencies
375
1
Lay Representation in Justice or Small Claims Court
375
1
Supervised Duties
375
1
No Independent Legal Judgment
376
1
Protecting Client confidences
376
1
Avoiding the Appearance of Impropriety
376
1
Integrity and Competency
376
1
Lawyer Ethics Rule Application
377
1
Model Standards' List of Permissible Activities
377
1
Legal Effect of NALA Rules
377
2
12.3 NFPA Code and Model Rules
379
1
NFPA Model Rules
380
1
12.4 ABA Code and Model Rules
380
5
ABA Code of Professional Responsibility
381
4
12.5 Hypothetical Problems
385
4
12.6 Further Ethics Information
389
6
CHAPTER 13 Tort Investigation
395
44
13.1 Tort Investigation
396
1
13.2 Introduction to Investigation
397
1
13.3 The Importance of Tort Case Investigation
397
1
Paralegals and Investigators
397
1
Customizing the Investigation
398
1
Details, Details, Details!
398
1
Goals of Tort Case Investigation
398
1
13.4 Witness Interview Techniques and Questions
398
5
Client Interview Techniques
402
1
13.5 Determining and Locating Defendants
403
9
Using Discovery to Locate Defendants
403
1
Study Documents Carefully
403
3
Use Caution When Naming Defendants
406
1
Using the Telephone as a Research Tool
406
1
Internet Resources
406
1
Obtaining Information About Corporations
407
1
Obtaining Information About Partnerships
408
1
Obtaining the Names of Sole Proprietors and Partners
409
1
Ambulance Services and Fire Departments as Defendants
409
2
Investigating Licensed or Regulated Businesses
411
1
Sample Defendant Search
411
1
13.6 Document the Scene
412
4
Obtaining Visual Documentation, Measurements, and Other Details
412
1
Knowing the Evidentiary Rules for One's Jurisdiction
413
1
Using Proper Evidentiary Form
413
2
Hearsay Problems
415
1
Video and Computer Technologies
416
1
13.7 Public and Private Sector Resources
416
4
Local Governmental Agencies
416
1
Newspapers
417
1
Television and Radio News Reports
417
1
Computerized Databases
418
1
Additional Information Regarding Criminal Acts
418
2
13.8 Additional Areas to Investigate
420
4
Employment and Lost Wages
420
1
Expenses Related to the Injury
420
2
Insurance Coverage and Other Benefits
422
1
Previous Claims or Lawsuits of Plaintiff
422
1
Previous Injuries to Plaintiff
423
1
The Parties' Criminal Histories
423
1
Driving Records
423
1
13.9 Investigating Different Types of Tort Cases
424
15
Automobile Accident Cases
424
1
Medical Negligence Cases
425
2
Obtaining Information About Health Care Providers
427
3
Health Care Facilities that Receive Government Funding
430
APPENDICES
Appendix A Confidential Client Information Form
439
6
Appendix B Understanding Appellate Court Opinions
445
4
Appendix C Supplementary Cases
449
56
Glossary
505
12
Index
517