法律英语专题：侵权法(tort law)PPT幻灯片.ppt

TortLaw 1 General Tortacivilwrongwhichunfairlycausessomeoneelsetosufferlossorharm Itdoesnotincludebreachofcontractortrust Acivilwrongcanbeatort breachofcontractorbreachoftrust Purposeoftortlawtoproviderelieftotheinjuredpartythroughtheawardofdamagesfortheinjuriesincurredduringatortiousact 2 General todeterothersfromcommittingthesameactUStortlawTortlawintheU S islargelycommonlaw Courtshavethepowertoshapeandchangetheelementsofclaimsanddefensesofexistingtortsandthepowertocreatenewtorts Statuteshavebeenpassedinattemptsto reform thetortsystem 3 General Mostofthemhaverelatedtoproceduralmattersandamountsandcategoriesofdamages ManyjudgesutilizetheRestatementofTorts 2nd asaninfluentialguide TheRestatementisaninfluentialtreatiseissuedbytheAmericanLawInstitute whichsummarizesthegeneralprinciplesofcommonlawUnitedStatestortlaw Categoriesoftortsintentionaltorts 4 General negligencestrictliabilitytorts 5 IntentionalTorts 6 General DefinitionAnintentionaltortisatortresultingfromanintentionalactonthepartofthetortfeasor Subcategoriestortsagainstthepersonassaultbatteryfalseimprisonmentintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress 7 General propertytortstrespasstolandtrespasstochattels personalproperty conversiondignitarytortsdefamationinvasionofprivacy 8 TortsAgainstthePerson 9 Assault Definitionanintentionalactthatcausesanapprehensionofimmediateharmfuloroffensivecontact Apprehensionisnotthesameasfear hereitmeansawarenessthataninjuryoroffensivecontactisimminent RequirementsTheactmustbeovert Merewordsdonotconstituteanassault 10 Assault Theremustbeanaccompanyingact Thedefendantmusthavetheapparentabilitytocarryoutthecontact Actualabilitytocarryoutthecontactisnotnecessary Theplaintiffmusthaveareasonableapprehensionofsuchcontact Actualfearontheplaintiff spartisnotrequired Examples 11 Assault swingingabaseballbatatsomeoneholdingarockandthreateningtothrowitatsomeonepointingagunatsomeonepointingarealistictoygunatsomeoneCriminalassaultandtortiousassaultCriminalassaultcanoccurevenwhennothreatisperceivedbythevictim Withthetortofassault aperceivedthreatbythevictimisparamount 12 Assault Adefendantwhothrowsarockatasleepingvictimandmissescanonlybeguiltyoftheattemptedbatteryassault sincethevictimwouldnotbeawareofthepossibleharm 13 Battery Definitionanintentionalactthatcausesaharmfuloroffensivecontact Harmful contactcontactthatobjectivelyintendstoinjure disfigure impair orcausepain Offensive contactcontactthatwouldoffendaperson ssenseofpersonaldignity 14 Battery Examplesbeatingsomeonewithatireironspittinginsomeone sfaceknockingahatoffsomeone sheadwhippingahorseonwhichsomeonewasriding causinghimtofallandbeinjuredmixingsomethingoffensiveinfoodthatheknowsanotherwilleat theotherdoesinfacteattheoffensivematter 15 Battery diggingapitwiththeintentthatanotherwillfallintoitlater theotherdoesinfactfallintoitCriminalandtortiousbatteryUsuallybatteryisprosecutedasacrimeonlyincasesinvolvingseriousharmtothevictim Criminallawrecognizesdegreesofcrimesinvolvingphysicalcontact Thereisbutasingletortofbattery 16 FalseImprisonment Definitionthedetentionofapersoninaboundedareawithoutjustificationorconsent Theessenceofthetortisthenaturalmentalharmthatresultswhenone sfreedomisrestrictedwithoutjustification Elementsintenttoconfineapersonwithinacertainarea 17 FalseImprisonment actualconfinementawarenessoftheconfinementbythepersonsoconfinednoreasonablemeansofescapeFalsearrest Falsearrest occurswhensomeonearrestsanotherindividualwithoutthelegalauthoritytodoso whichbecomesfalseimprisonmentthemomentheorsheistakenintocustody 18 IIED Definition shortforintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress referredtoasthetortofoutrageinsomejurisdictionsintentionalconductthatresultsinextremeemotionaldistressElementsThedefendantmustactintentionallyorrecklessly 19 IIED Thedefendant sconductmustbeextremeandoutrageous Theconductmustcausetheplaintifftosuffersevereemotionaldistress SevereemotionaldistressThistortinvolvesmorethanhurtfeelings disappointment orworry Theremustbeseverementalsuffering i e suchthatnoreasonablepersonshouldbeexpectedtoendureit 20 IIED Thisstandardisquantifiedbytheintensity duration andanyphysicalmanifestations ulcersorheadaches forexample ofthedistress ExamplesApersonrefusedtoinformanotherofthewhereaboutsofthatother schildforseveralyears thoughthepersonknewwherethechildwastheentiretime 21 IIED Apersonsentalettertoanotherfalselyinforminghimthataclosefamilymemberofhishadbeenkilledinanaccident 22 StatuteofLimitations DefinitionanenactmentthatrestrictsthetimewithinwhichlegalproceedingsmaybeinitiatedObjectivetopreventclaimsfromarisingafterallevidencehasbeenlostorafterthefactshavebecomeobscurethroughthepassageoftime orthedeathordisappearanceofwitnesses 23 StatuteofLimitations FunctionThestatuteoflimitationsisadefensethatisordinarilyassertedbythedefendanttodefeatanactionbroughtagainsthimaftertheappropriatetimehaselapsed ApplicationThedefendantmustraisethedefensebeforethecourtuponansweringtheplaintiff scomplaint 24 StatuteofLimitations Ifnot heisregardedashavingwaivedthedefenseandwillnotbepermittedtouseitinanysubsequentproceedings TollingthestatuteWhenthestatuteistolled therunningoflimitationsissuspendeduntilsomeeventspecifiedbylawtakesplace Mostjurisdictionsprovidethatthestatuteoflimitationsistolledundercertaincircumstances 25 StatuteofLimitations Theplaintiffisaminor Theplaintiffhasbeendeemedinsane Theplaintiffhasbeenconvictedofafelonyandisimprisoned Thedefendantisinbankruptcy 26 Shopkeeper sPrivilege GeneralInsomejurisdictionsoftheUS thecourtsrecognizeacommonlawshopkeeper sprivilege underwhichashopkeeperisallowedtodetainasuspectedshoplifteronstorepropertyforareasonableperiodoftime solongastheshopkeeperhasprobablecausetobelievethatthepersondetainedinfactcommitted orattemptedtocommit theftofstoreproperty 27 Shopkeeper sPrivilege Thisprivilegedoesnotincludethepowerofsearch RequisiteconditionsInvestigationonornearpremisesThedetentionitselfshouldbeeffectedeitheronthestorepremisesorintheimmediatevicinitythereof ReasonablesuspicionTheshopkeeperhasreasonablegroundstosuspecttheparticularpersondetainedisshoplifting 28 Shopkeeper sPrivilege ReasonableforceonlyOnlyreasonable non deadlyforceisusedtoeffectthedetention ReasonableperiodandmannerofdetentionThedetentionitselfmaybeforonlythetimenecessarytomakeareasonableinvestigationofthefacts 29 PropertyTorts 30 TrespasstoLand GeneralTrespasstolandoccurswhenapersondirectlyentersuponanother slandwithoutpermission orremainsupontheland orplacesorprojectsanyobjectupontheland Thebasisforthistortistherighttoexclusivepossessionoftheland NatureThistortisactionableperse 31 TrespasstoLand Damagesarenotrequiredtobeprovenforintentionaltrespass Onlywhentheentryisnegligentisthereanyneedtoprovedamages IntentTheintentrequirementoftrespassisonlythatthepersonintendedtoentertheproperty Itisirrelevantwhetherornottheentryisamistake causedbyignoranceoftheownershiportheboundaries 32 TrespasstoLand NoteTherightsinherentinthepossessionoflandextendaboveandbelowthesurface 33 TrespasstoChattels Definitiontheintentionalinterferencewithanotherperson slawfulpossessionofachattel movablepersonalproperty Interferenceanyphysicalcontact intermeddling withthechattelinaquantifiablewayanydispossessionofthechattel whetherbytakingit destroyingit orbarringtheowner saccesstoit 34 TrespasstoChattels NoteIncasesofintermeddling thereneedstobeactualharmsustainedbytheplaintiffinorderforhimtosue Damagesarelimitedtotheactualharm whichcanincludeeconomiclossasaresultofthetrespass e g lossofprofitonadamagedchattel Incasesofdispossession theplaintiffisalwaysentitledtodamagesevenifnoquantifiableharmcanbeproven 35 TrespasstoChattels ExampleHermanseeshisWarandPeacesittingonatable Hepicksupthebook putsitinhisbagandgoeshome Infact thebookbelongstoLeonandHermanhasmistakenitforhisowncopy Inthiscase HermanisliableforatrespasstochattelsbecauseheintendedtotakeLeon sbook eventhoughhisactionwasbasedonareasonablemistake 36 Conversion GeneralConversionoccurswhensomeonewrongfullytakesorusespropertyofanotherfortheirownpurposesordestroysitoraltersitsnature ConversionandtheftTheftwillalsobeconversion Butnotallconversionsaretheftsbecauseconversionrequiresnoelementofdishonesty 37 Conversion PropertysubjecttoconversionItmustbepersonalproperty Realpropertycannotbelostandthenfound Itmustbetangible money ananimal furniture ortoolscropsortimber aftertheyareseveredfromtheground rightsinapaper suchasalifeinsurancepolicy astockcertificate orapromissorynote 38 Conversion ExamplesApersonhasanother scartowedawayinordertotaketheparkingplace Adrycleanermistakenlydeliversasuittothewrongcustomer Amechanicborrowsasportscarheissupposedtorepairwithoutpermission Aneighborlendsherhedgetrimmertoafriend butthefriendusesittocutdownatree 39 TrespasstoChattelsandConversion GeneralThetwoconceptsarecloselyrelated SimilarityBothincludethewrongful intentionalinterferenceofpersonalproperty DifferenceTheyaredifferentindegree thedamagedonetotheplaintiff spossessioninaconversioncaseismoreseverethaninatrespasscase 40 TrespasstoChattelsandConversion ApplicationIngeneral whenanobjectisdamagedbutrepairable trespasstochattelsisthemoreappropriatetort Whensomethingisdestroyedorstolen conversionismoreappropriate Whentrespassisfound apersoncanrecoverthevalueofthe lostuse oftheitem andrecovertheitemitself Conversion instead allowsapersontorecoverthefullvalueoftheitem 41 TrespasstoChattelsandConversion ExampleDaphnehitsMarty sdogwithhercar Thedogsuffersabrokenleg ThiswouldbeanactionabletrespasstochattelsandMartywouldbeawardeddamagescommensuratewiththeharmdonebyDaphne DaphnehitsMarty sdogwithhercar Thedogdies Thiswouldbeanactionableconversion Martywouldbeawardedthedog sfullvalue 42 DignitaryTorts 43 Defamation Definitionthecommunicationofafalsestatementthatharmsaperson sreputation Defamatoryinformationmustbecommunicatedtoathirdperson Typesslander oraldefamation spokenstatements libel writtendefamation written printedorbroadcastwords 44 Defamation PublicfigurelawofdefamationApublicfigurealleginglibelmustproveactualmalice Publicfiguresvoluntarilyplacethemselvesinapositionthatinvitesclosescrutiny DefamationperseSomecategoriesofstatementsareconsidereddefamatoryperse injuryispresumedandneedn tbeproven 45 Defamation astatementthatnegativelyaffectsaperson sreputationrelatingtohisbusinessorprofessionallegationsthatapersonisunchasteallegationsthatapersonisinfectedwithasexuallytransmitteddiseaseallegationsthatapersonhascommittedacrimeofmoralturpitude suchasrapeorincest Defensestoclaimsofdefamationtruth 46 Defamation opinionprivilegeevidencegivenincourtstatementsmadeinasessionofthelegislature 47 InvasionofPrivacy Definitiontheintrusionintothepersonallifeofanother withoutjustcauseCategoriesintrusionofsolitudeactualphysicalorelectronicintrusionintoaperson sprivatequarters Apersonwasundressingathome andsomeonefilmedthiswithouttellingtheperson 48 InvasionofPrivacy publicdisclosureofprivatefactsthedisseminationoftruthfulprivateinformationwhichareasonablepersonwouldfindobjectionable Anunscrupulousreporterrummagedthroughapublicfigure sgarbagetofindevidenceofprescriptiondruguseorotherhighlypersonalmatters falselightthepublicationoffactswhichplaceapersoninafalselight eventhoughthefactsthemselvesmaynotbedefamatory 49 InvasionofPrivacy Falselightcasesareaboutdamagetoaperson spersonalfeelingsordignity whereasdefamationisaboutdamagetoaperson sreputation Areporterreturnedtothesceneofamassivebridgecollapseseveralyearsafterthetragedy Thereporterattemptedtointerviewthewidowofamanwhodiedinthecrash Thewidowandherchildrenwerenotathomesothereporterfabricatedastoryaboutthemwhichplacedtheminafalselightinthepubliceye 50 InvasionofPrivacy appropriationtheunauthorizeduseofaperson snameorlikenesstoobtainsomebenefits Alocalrestaurantusedacelebrity snameorimageinacommercialandimpliedanofficialendorsement 51 Negligence 52 General Definitionconductthatbreachesastandardofcaredeemedbythelawasnecessarytoprotectothersfromunreasonablerisksofharm generallyexpressedasa breachofaduty ElementsThedefendantowedadutyofcaretotheplaintiff 53 General thedefendantbreachedthatduty andasaresultofthedefendant sbreachofthatduty theplaintiffsufferedinjury 54 StandardofCare GeneralAllpeopleareunderadutytoconductthemselvesinsuchamannerasnottocreateunreasonablerisksofphysicalharmtoothers Duringatrial theconductofthedefendantisreviewedtodetermineifheorshehasmetthereasonablepersonstandard Wouldareasonablepersonhaveactedsimilarlyundersimilarcircumstances 55 StandardofCare Reasonablepersonahypotheticalpersoninsocietywhoshowsaveragecare skillorjudgmentinconduct Itisnotanaverageortypicalperson Itisacompositeofacommunity sjudgmentastohowatypicalmemberofthatcommunityshouldbehaveinsituationsthatmightposeathreatofharmtothepublic 56 StandardofCare Eventhoughthemajorityofpeopleinthecommunitymaybehaveinacertainway thatdoesnotestablishthestandardofconductofthereasonableperson ReasonablepersonstandardApersonhasactednegligentlyifshehasdepartedfromconductexpectedofareasonablyprudentpersonactingundersimilarcircumstances 57 StandardofCare Itisacompletelyobjectivetestunderwhichsubjectiveelementsarenormallynottakenintoaccount Subjectivetraitsofthetortfeasormaybeconsidered buttheyareconsideredaccordingtoanobjectivestandard 58 Causation GeneralToestablishcausationinnegligencecasestheplaintiffmustprovethatthedefendant sactwasboththecause in factandtheproximatecauseofhisinjuries Cause in factThebut fortest Wouldtheplaintiffhavebeeninjuredbutfortheactofthedefendant 59 Causation Thesubstantialfactortest Wasthedefendant sactionasubstantialfactorincausingtheplaintiff sinjury ProximatecauseThedirectnesstestThedefendant sactistheproximatecauseoftheplaintiff sinjuryifthereisanunbrokensequenceofeventsbetweentheactandtheharm Theforeseeabilitytest 60 Causation Itissufficientifareasonablepersonwouldhaveforeseentheharmfulresults Interveningcauseaneventwhichoccursafterthedefendant snegligentacthasoccurredandwhichcontributestotheinjury Iftheinterveningcausewastheproximatecauseoftheplaintiff sinjury thedefendant sactwillnotbeconsideredtheproximatecause 61 Causation Iftheinterveningcausewasforeseeable thedefendantwilloftenbeheldliableforthisadditionalharm 62 NIED GeneralshortfornegligentinflictionofemotionaldistressacontroversialcauseofactionavailableinnearlyallUSstatesbutseverelyconstrainedandlimitedinthemajorityofthemNIEDandIIEDInanactionforNIEDthereisnoneedtoproveintenttoinflictdistress 63 NIED Anaccidentalinfliction ifnegligent issufficienttosupportacauseofaction UnderlyingconceptOnehasalegaldutytousereasonablecaretoavoidcausingmentaldistresstoanotherindividual Ifonebreachesthisdutyandunreasonablycausesmentaldistresstoanotherindividual hewillbeliablefordamagestotheinjuredindividual 64 ContributoryNegligence DefinitionadefensethatbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryifhisorherownactsoromissionscontributetotheinjuryBurdenofproofInsomejurisdictions thedefendanthastoprovethenegligenceoftheplaintifforclaimant Inothers theburdenisontheplaintifftodisprovehisownnegligence 65 ContributoryNegligence DisadvantageItisoftenregardedasunfairbecauseunderthedoctrineavictimwhoisatfaulttoanydegree includingonly1 atfault willbedeniedcompensationentirely ResultIthasbeendeletedasadefensefromthevastmajorityofstatutesandreplacedwithcomparativenegligence 66 ComparativeNegligence Definitionadefensethatreducestheamountofdamagesthataplaintiffcanrecoverinanegligence basedclaimbaseduponthedegreetowhichtheplaintiff sownnegligencecontributedtotheinjuryTypes Pure comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffis90 atfaultheorshecanstillrecover10 ofhislosses 67 ComparativeNegligence Partial comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffismorethan50 atfaultheorshecannotrecover 68 AssumptionofRisk DefinitionadefensethatbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryagainstanegligenttortfeasoriftheplaintiffvoluntarilyandknowinglyassumedtherisksinherenttotheactivityinwhichheparticipatedRationaleUponassumptionoftherisk thereisnolongeradutyofcarerunningfromthedefendanttotheplaintiff 69 AssumptionofRisk Withoutadutyowedbythedefendant therecanbenonegligenceonhispart ClassificationsExpressassumptionofriskoccurswhenaplaintiffexplicitlyagreestotakeonarisk Thisisoftendonethroughacontract Impliedassumptionofriskoccurswhentheplaintiff sactionsimplythathehasconsentedtoassumetherisk 70 AssumptionofRisk ExampleJoebrokehisarmwhenhefellintoamanholewhilewalkingdownthestreetinatown Theareawherethemanholewashadbeenropedoffandlargesignspostedwarningpedestrianstoavoidit Initsdefense thetownmayraisethedoctrineofassumptionofrisk 71 StrictLiabilityTorts 72 General StrictliabilityStrictliabilityisliabilitywithoutfault suchasnegligenceortortiousintent Undercertaincircumstances aplaintiffmaybeallowedrecoveryevenifthereisnofaultonthepartofthedefendant ApplicationStrictliabilityisoftenimposedonthoseengagedinabnormallydangerousactivities 73 General Strictliabilityisalsoimposedonsellersandmanufacturersofproducts 74 AbnormallyDangerousActivity Definitionanactivitythatissoinherentlydangerousthatapersonengagedinitcanbeheldstrictlyliableforinjuriescausedtoanotherperson evenifhehastakeneveryreasonableprecautiontopreventothersfrombeinginjured alsotermedinherentlydangerousactivityorultrahazardousactivityCategories 75 AbnormallyDangerousActivity Transportation storage anduseofultrahazardousmaterialsdynamiteandotherexplosivesradioactivematerialscertainhazardouschemicalsKeepingofdangerousanimalswildanimals i e animalsthatarenotnormallydomesticatedinthatarea domesticatedanimalsthathaveaknownpropensityfordangerousbehavior e g adogthathasattackedpeoplebefore 76 AbnormallyDangerousActivity Theseactivitiesareallowableaslongasnoharmoccurs ExceptionApersonwhoisinjuredbyoneoftheseactivitieswhiletrespassingonthepropertyofthepersonengagedintheactivityisbarredfromsuingunderastrictliabilitytheory Instead heorshemustprovethatthepropertyownerwasnegligent 77 ProductLiability DefinitiontheresponsibilityofamanufacturerorvendorofgoodstocompensateforinjurycausedbydefectivemerchandisethatithasprovidedforsaleProductliabilityclaimsintheUSnegligenceclaimsstrictliabilityclaimsbreachofwarrantyclaimsvariousconsumerprotectionclaims 78 ProductLiability Strictliabilityclaims