Tort Law: Principles in Practice: Principles in Practice

Front Matter
Editorial Advisors
Title Page
Copyright Page
About Aspen Publishing
Dedication Page
Summary of Contents
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 INTRODUCTION TO TORTS
I. Torts Defined
II. Goals and Criticisms
A. What Are the Purposes Behind Tort Law?
B. Has Tort Law Gotten Out of Control?
Rule 11 and Tort Reform: Myth, Reality, and Legislation
III. Case Procedure and Definitions
A. Pleadings and Attacks on Pleadings
B. Formal Discovery
C. Motions for Summary Judgment
D. Trial
E. Entry of Judgment
F. Appeal
IV. Case Briefing
A. Reasons for Briefing a Case
B. Preparation of a Case Brief
1. Facts
2. Procedural History
3. Issue
4. Rule
5. Analysis
6. Holding
2 INTENTIONAL TORTS
I. Overview
II. Battery
A. Introduction
B. Intent
Garratt v. Dailey
Waters v. Blackshear
C. Offensive, Indirect, and Intangible Contacts
Fisher v. Carrousel Motor Hotel, Inc.
Richardson v. Hennly
Eichenwald v. Rivello
D. Scope of Liability for Battery
Nelson v. Carroll
E. The Single vs. Dual Intent Debate
White v. Muniz
III. Assault
A. Introduction
B. The Elements
1. Intent
Cullison v. Medley
2. Reasonable Apprehension
Bouton v. Allstate Ins. Co.
3. Imminent Apprehension
Brower v. Ackerly
C. Transfer of Intent
Hall v. McBryde
IV. False Imprisonment
A. Introduction
B. The Elements
1. Intent to Detain
William Whirl v. C.V. (Buster) Kern
2. Detention
Smith v. Comair, Inc.
C. Shopkeeper?s Privilege
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Resendez
V. Trespass
A. Introduction
B. Land
1. Intent
Thomas v. Harrah?s Vicksburg Corp.
2. Scope of Liability
Baker v. Shymkiv
C. Personal Property
1. Trespass to Chattels
Koepnick v. Sears Roebuck & Co.
2. Conversion
Pearson v. Dodd
VI. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
A. Outrageous Conduct Intending Emotional Distress
Zalnis v. Thoroughbred Datsun Car Co.
Strauss v. Cilek
B. Severe Emotional Distress
Miller v. Willbanks, M.D.
Jones v. Clinton
C. Constitutional Protection of Outrageous Speech
Snyder v. Phelps
3 DEFENSES TO INTENTIONAL TORTS
I. Introduction
II. Consent
A. Standard and Effect
McQuiggan v. Boy Scouts of America
B. Limitations on Consent
1. Exceeding the Scope
Koffman v. Garnett
2. Fraud
Hogan v. Tavzel
McPherson v. McPherson
III. Defense of Self, Others, and Property
A. Self-Defense
Slayton v. McDonald
B. Defense of Others
Young v. Warren
C. Defense of Property
Woodard v. Turnipseed
Katko v. Briney
4 NEGLIGENCE: BREACH OF DUTY OF REASONABLE CARE
I. Introduction
II. The Duty of Reasonable Care
A. The Objective Standard
Vaughan v. Menlove
B. Actual and Constructive Knowledge; Hindsight
Parrot v. Wells, Fargo & Co.
III. The Reasonable Person Under the Circumstances
A. Extraordinary Knowledge and Skill
Cervelli v. Graves
B. Physical Disability
Poyner v. Loftus
C. Mental Disability
Creasy v. Rusk
D. Children
Robinson v. Lindsay
E. Extraordinarily Dangerous Activities
Stewart v. Motts
F. Sudden Emergency
Myhaver v. Knutson
IV. Proving Breach of Duty
A. The Learned Hand Formula
Davis v. Consolidated Rail Corp.
B. Negligence Per Se?Violation of Statutes
1. Origins and Rationale
Martin v. Herzog
2. Type of Harm and Membership in Protected Class
Wawanesa Mutual Ins. v. Matlock
3. Excuse
Sikora v. Wenzel
C. Custom
1. Industry Custom
The T.J. Hooper
2. Personal Custom
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Wright
D. Res Ipsa Loquitur
Byrne v. Boadle
Krebs v. Corrigan
V. Recklessness as an Alternative Standard
Mobil v. Ellender
5 CAUSATION
I. Introduction
II. Actual Cause
A. The ?But-For? Test
Cay v. Louisiana
Lyons v. Midnight Sun Transportation Services
East Texas Theatres, Inc. v. Rutledge
B. Alternatives to But-For Causation
1. Multiple Sufficient Independent Causes
Kingston v. Chicago & Northwestern Railway
2. Alternative Liability
Summers v. Tice
Burke v. Schaffner
3. Modified Alternative Liability: Market Share
Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories
4. Increased Risk of Future Harm
Temple-Inland Products Corp. v. Carter
5. Loss of Chance
Lord v. Lovett
III. Proximate Cause
A. Introduction
Palsgraf v. Long Island Railway Co.
B. The Direct Cause Test
In re Polemis
Laureano v. Louzoun
C. The Foreseeability Test
1. Whether the Type of Accident Was Within the Scope of the Risk
Tieder v. Little
2. Breach of Duty Does Not Necessarily Prove Proximate Cause
Crankshaw v. Piedmont Driving Club
D. The Substantial Factor Test
1. Introduction to the Substantial Factor Test
Brisboy v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corp.
2. Substantial Factor as a Test for Proximate Cause
American Truck Leasing, Inc. v. Thorne Equipment Co.
E. Superseding vs. Intervening Causes
Price v. Blaine Kern Artista, Inc.
McCane-Sondock Protection Systems v. Emmittee
6 SPECIAL DUTY RULES
I. Introduction
II. Duty to Act
A. Acts vs. Omissions
1. No General Duty to Aid Others
Yania v. Bigan
2. When Acting, the Duty of Care Exists
United States v. Lawter
3. Special Relationships Compelling Action
Lundy v. Adamar of New Jersey, Inc.
4. Duty Ends at Expiration of Special Relationship
Boyette v. Trans World Airlines, Inc.
B. Rescuers
1. The Rescue Doctrine
McCoy v. American Suzuki Motor Corp.
2. The Firefighter Rule
Moody v. Delta Western
Snellenberger v. Rodriguez
III. Duty to Protect Third Parties from Another?s Harm
A. Health Care Workers
Emerich v. Philadelphia Center for Human Development
Bradshaw v. Daniel, M.D.
B. Employer-Employee Relationships
Otis Engineering Corp. v. Clark
IV. Duty Limited by the Nature of the Primary Harm
A. Emotional Distress
1. From Impact Rule to Zone of Danger
Robb v. The Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
2. From Zone of Danger to Dillon Rule of Foreseeability
Dillon v. Legg
Grotts v. Zahner
3. Is There a General Duty Not to Cause Emotional Distress?
Boyles v. Kerr
B. ?Mere? Economic Harm
532 Madison Avenue Gourmet Foods v. Finlandia Center, Inc.
C. Wrongful Pregnancy, Wrongful Life, and Wrongful Birth
1. Wrongful Pregnancy
Johnson v. University Hospitals of Cleveland
2. Wrongful Birth and Wrongful Life
Nelson v. Krusen
V. Duty Limited by Nature of the Activity: Primary Assumption of the Risk
A. Introduction
B. Inherent Risk
Murphy v. Steeplechase Amusement Co., Inc.
C. A More Refined Test for Inherent Risks
Clover v. Snowbird Ski Resort
VI. Duty Based Upon Victim?s Status
A. Introduction
B. Trespassers
1. Adult Trespassers
Ryals v. United States Steel Corp.
2. Child Trespassers: The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine
Bennett v. Stanley
C. Licensees
Knorpp v. Hale
D. Invitees
1. Time as a Trigger of Duty
Richardson v. The Commodore
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Gonzalez
2. Open and Obvious Dangers
O?Sullivan v. Shaw
3. Duty to Protect Invitees from Criminal Attack
a. Actual Awareness of Danger
Gould v. Taco Bell
b. Foreseeable Risk of Danger
Delta Tau Delta v. Johnson
E. Modern Rejection of Three Categories
Nelson v. Freeland
VII. Duty Based Upon Defendant?s Status: Professionals
A. The Professional Standard of Care
1. Professional Custom
Osborn v. Irwin Memorial Blood Bank
Hodges v. Carter
2. Who Is a Professional?
Rossell v. Volkswagen of America
B. Informed Consent
Scott v. Bradford
C. Limitations on a Professional?s Duty
Barcelo, III v. Elliott
7 AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
I. Introduction
II. Contributory Negligence and Comparative Fault
A. Contributory Negligence
Butterfield v. Forrester
Harris v. Meadows
B. The Comparative Fault Reform
1. The Decision to Switch to Comparative Fault
McIntyre v. Balentine
2. The Apportionment Problem
Sandford v. Chevrolet
3. Multiple Tortfeasors in Modified Comparative Fault
Beaudoin v. Texaco, Inc.
III. Assumption of the Risk
A. Express Assumption of the Risk
1. Public Policy Hurdle
Tunkl v. Regents of the University of California
2. The Drafting Hurdle
Alack v. Vic Tanny International of Missouri, Inc.
B. Secondary Implied Assumption of the Risk
1. Qualified Secondary Implied Assumption of the Risk
Riddle v. Universal Sport Camp
2. Unqualified Secondary Implied Assumption of the Risk
Schroyer v. McNeal
3. Does Comparative Fault Abolish Secondary Implied Assumption of the Risk?
Davenport v. Cotton Hope Plantation Horizontal Property Regime
IV. Immunities
A. Sovereign Immunity
1. The Federal Government
Cestonaro v. United States
2. State and Local Governments
Campbell v. Indiana
B. Spousal and Parental Immunity
1. Spousal Immunity
Price v. Price
2. Parental Immunity
Sandoval v. Sandoval
V. Statutes of Limitation and Repose
A. Statutes of Limitation
1. Accrual of a Claim
Crumpton v. Humana, Inc.
2. The Legal Injury Rule and the Discovery Rule Exception
S.V. v. R.V.
B. Statutes of Repose
Kern v. St. Joseph Hospital
8 DAMAGES
I. Introduction
II. Actual, Compensatory Damages
A. Special (Economic) Damages
Martin v. United States
B. General (Noneconomic) Damages
1. Review of Jury?s Award
Miraglia v. H&L Holding Corp.
2. Per Diem Awards
Beagle v. Vasold
3. Day in the Life Videos
Donnellan v. First Student, Inc.
4. Hedonic Damages
McDougald v. Garber
C. Wrongful Death and Survival Claims
Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hospital
D. Property Damages
Strickland v. Medlen
III. Limitations on Actual Damages
A. Failure to Mitigate Damages
1. Failure to Mitigate as ?Fault?
Miller v. Eichhorn
2. Failure to Mitigate as a Damage Consideration
Klanseck v. Anderson Sales & Service, Inc.
3. Seat-Belt Defense
Nabors Well Services v. Romero
B. Collateral Source Rule
Helfend v. Southern California Rapid Transit District
C. Statutory Limits
1. Examples of Statutory Limits
California Civ. Code ?333.2
Maryland Code Ann., Ct. & Jud. Proc. ?11-108
Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ?74.301
Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ?74.303
2. Constitutionality of Limits on Actual Damages
Samsel v. Wheeler Transport Services, Inc.
Knowles v. United States
IV. Nominal Damages
Longenecker v. Zimmerman
V. Punitive Damages
A. When Civil Punishment Is Permitted
1. Malicious Conduct
Shugar v. Guill
2. Corporate Liability for Reckless Conduct
Mobil v. Ellender
B. The Amount of Punitive Damages
1. Due Process Limits
State Farm Mutual v. Campbell
2. Statutory Limits
9 APPORTIONMENT
I. Introduction
II. Joint and Several Liability
Sitzes v. Anchor Motor Freight, Inc.
III. Several Liability
A. Rejection of Joint and Several Liability in Favor of Several Liability
McIntyre v. Balentine
B. Threshold Level Joint and Several Liability Statutes
New Jersey Stat. ?2A:15-53
Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ?33.013
Hawaii Rev. Stat. ?663-10.9
C. Apportionment with Absent or Immune Actors
Sullivan v. Scoular Grain Co.
D. Negligent Enabling
Turner v. Jordan, M.D.
IV. Equitable Doctrines Creating Joint Liability
A. Introduction
B. Vicarious Liability
Trahan-Laroche v. Lockheed Sanders, Inc.
1. Employees v. Independent Contractors
Throop v. F.E. Young & Co.
2. Course and Scope of Employment
Fruit v. Equitable Life Assurance Society
C. Concert of Action
1. Conduct Creating Joint Liability
Herman v. Wesgate
Shinn v. Allen
Kubert v. Best
2. Extent of Liability for Acting in Concert
American Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Grim
10 STRICT LIABILITY
I. Introduction
II. Unusually Dangerous Activities
Exner v. Sherman Power Const. Co.
III. Wild and Trespassing Animals
Byram v. Main
Clark v. Brings
11 PRODUCTS LIABILITY
I. Introduction
II. Historical Development and Adoption
A. Limitations on Duty
MacPherson v. Buick Motor Company
B. Rejection of Fault or Contract Breach as Prerequisites to Recovery
Escola v. Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Fresno
C. Restatement (Second) ?402A (1965)
D. Strict Liability Is for Product Sellers
Amazon.com, Inc. v. McMillan
III. Defects
A. Manufacturing
American Tobacco Co. v. Grinnell
B. Design Defects
1. The Consumer Expectation Test
Sparks v. Owens-Illinois, Inc.
2. The Risk Utility Test
Dawson v. Chrysler Corp.
3. The Alternative Feasible Design Requirement
American Tobacco Co. v. Grinnell
4. Comparing the Consumer Expectation and Risk Utility Tests
Denny v. Ford Motor Co.
C. Marketing Defects
1. The Duty to Warn
Richter v. Limax International
2. Common Knowledge Exception
American Tobacco Co. v. Grinnell
IV. Defenses Arising Out of Plaintiff?s Misconduct
A. Is Negligence a Defense to Strict Liability?
Bowling v. Heil Co.
Daly v. General Motors Corp.
B. When, and How, Does Product Misuse Provide a Defense?
Daniell v. Ford Motor Co.
Hernandez v. Tokai Corp.
12 DEFAMATION
I. Introduction
II. Elements of Claim
A. False and Defamatory Statements
1. Early Application
Burton v. Crowell Pub. Co.
2. Modern Application
Busch v. Viacom International
Henderson v. Henderson
B. Libel vs. Slander
Agriss v. Roadway Express, Inc.
III. Privileges
A. Common Law
Johnson v. Queenan
Lester v. Powers
Florida Stat. ?768.095
Louisiana Rev. Stat. ?14.50
Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ?73.002
Texas Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ?73.004
Federal Communications Decency Act 47 U.S.C.A. ?230(c)
Wisconsin Stat. Ann. ?895.05
B. Constitutional Privilege
1. Speech About Public Officials, Public Figures, and Public Matters
Khawar v. Globe International, Inc.
2. Private Matters
Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v. Greenmoss Builders, Inc.
13 BUSINESS TORTS
I. Introduction
II. Fraud
A. Misrepresentations
1. Existing Facts or Opinions Based Upon Facts
Trenholm v. Ratcliff
2. Affirmative Acts of Concealment
Lindberg Cadillac Co. v. Aron
3. Promissory Fraud
Smehlik v. Athletes and Artists, Inc.
B. Justifiable Reliance
Judd v. Walker
III. Negligent Misrepresentation
A. Introduction
Staggs v. Sells
B. Duty Revisited
Bily v. Arthur Young & Co.
IV. Tortious Interference with Contract
A. Rejection of Negligent Interference
State of Louisiana v. M/V Testbank
B. Intentional Interference with Contract
Lumley v. Gye
C. Interference with Prospective Contractual Relations
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Sturges, III
V. Distinguishing Tort vs. Contract Claims
Southwestern Bell Telephone v. DeLanney
Table of Cases
Index