Tort Law

Jody BlankeProfessor of Computer Information Systems and Law

Torts Strict Liability Intentional Torts Negligence

Strict Liability Liability without fault

neither intent nor negligence need be shown

Ultrahazardous activities e.g., dynamite blasting e.g., ownership of wild animals

lions and tigers and bears …

Intentional Torts Battery Assault False Imprisonment Intentional Infliction of Emotional

Distress

Defamation Libel and slander Truth is a defense Against media defendants, public

officials and public figures must show “actual malice” e.g., Richard Jewell - Wikipedia, CourtTV

Invasion of Privacy Appropriation of name or likeness

e.g., Michael Jordan Wine Intrusion upon seclusion

e.g., Jackie O, Holiday Inn, Mazzio’s Pizza, Sean Penn, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan, Katz, Kyllo

False light e.g., Parade Magazine Teenage

Prostitution Publication of private

embarrassing facts e.g., “Joe Hero”

Silvia Leyva at Café Intermezzo

Trespass Trespass to land Conversion Trespass to personal property

(trespass to chattels)

Interference with Contractual Relations $10.5B award against Texaco for

interfering with Penzoil’s contract to buy Getty (later settled for $3B)

“Ditch the dish”

Negligence Duty Breach of Duty Causation Injury

Duty of Care Reasonable person standard Is there a legal duty?

e.g., Lady Di, Seinfeld finale, Good Samaritan laws

Breach of Duty What would the reasonable person do

in similar circumstances? Professional standard – malpractice Negligence per se Res ipsa loquitur

Causation Actual cause (causation in fact)

“but for” analysis e.g., Rube Goldberg cartoons, Mouse Trap

Causation Proximate cause (legal cause)

foreseeabilty e.g., Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad e.g., Crankshaw v. Piedmont Driving Club

Injury Plaintiff must prove injury Injury need not be personal injury

Defenses to Negligence Assumption of Risk Fellow-Servant Rule Contributory Negligence

e.g., the “rolling stop” Comparative Negligence

pure comparative negligence modified comparative negligence (50%

rule)