NEGLIGENCE

1
NEGLIGENCE

• DEFENDANTS ACTION OR OMISSION
• BREACHING DUTY OF CARE
• REASONABLE PERSON STANDARD
• VARIES WITH EXPECTED SKILL LEVEL
• STATUTE (NEG PER SE )
• CAUSING PLAINTIFFS INJURY
• ACTUAL CAUSATION
• PROXIMATE (LEGAL) CAUSATION

2
PROXIMATE (LEGAL) CAUSATION

• FORESEEABILITY
• ACTS TO LIMIT LIABILITY
• EXAMPLES
• PALSGRAF CASE
• WHATABURGER CASE
• SUPERMARKET CARTS CHILDREN
• FORESEEABLE MISUSE

3
RES IPSA LOQUITAR

• USED WHEN HARD OR IMPOSS TO PROVE NEG
• EX SAFE FALLING OUT OF WINDOW
• MUST SHOW
• D HAD SOLE RT OF CONTROL OF THING CAUSING
  ACCIDENT,
• SUCH ACCIDENTS DONT HAPPEN UNLESS NEG

4
STRICT LIABILITY I

• POLICY CHOICE BETWEEN FAVORING
• A) INNOCENT VICTIM
• B) NON-NEG. DEF.
• WHY LAW CHOOSES A)
• BUSINESS IN BEST POSITION TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS
• CAN SPREAD COST WITH LIABILITY INSURANCE

5
STRICT LIABILITY II

• ABNORMALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES
• WILD ANIMALS, BLASTING, CROP-DUSTING
• UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS, (PRODUCTS
  LIABILITY--covered fully in Ch. 17)
• MUST SHOW
• DEFECTIVE WHEN SOLD
• CAUSED ACCIDENT

6
DEFENSES

• TO NEGLIGENCE
• CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE
• COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE
• ASSUMPTION OF RISK
• TO STRICT LIABILITY
• ASSUMPTION OF RISK