Ch 21: Torts in Business Law Lesson Plans

1. What Is Tort Law? - Definition and Examples

There are three main types of torts that can be charged against a defendant. Learn about the definition of intentional torts, negligence torts, and strict liability torts through real-world examples.

2. Battery: The Elements of an Intentional Tort

Battery is the act of making harmful physical contact with another person. Learn the elements of battery as an intentional tort and examine what defines aggravated battery using a case analysis.

3. What Is Assault? - Definition of an Intentional Tort

Assault, where fear or action of physical harm is instilled against another person, is a form of Tort, where wrong was done to someone in the eyes of the law. Examine the nuances of assault and battery, and aggravated assault with examples.

4. Transferred Intent for Assault and Battery

The phrase 'I didn't mean to' often carries little weight in court because of the concept of transferred intent, in which an unintended victim was harmed. Learn the nuances of liability and intent in the case of Talmage v. Smith.

5. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Definition and Examples

The intentional infliction of emotional distress occurs when a person acts outrageously or recklessly with the intent to cause emotional distress to a victim. Learn the definition of the intentional infliction of emotional distress, discover which outrageous acts qualify, and explore examples of how this tort functions in U.S. law.

6. Intentional Torts of Economic Relations: Definition and Elements

Competition can drive individuals to intentionally attempt to harm competitors economically, which is called Intentional Torts of Economic Relations. In this lesson, explore the three types of such behavior: injurious falsehood, interference with contractual relations, and interference with prospective advantage.

7. Trespass, Conversion and Nuisance: Definition and Examples

Property owners may find themselves violated by others who commit the intentional torts of trespass, conversion, and nuisance. Explore the definitions and examples of trespass to land and chattel, conversion, and private and public nuisance.

8. Defenses to Intentional Torts to Avoid Liability

An intentional tort occurs when someone knowingly infringes on the rights of others. Learn the four defenses to intentional torts to avoid liability: self defense and dense of others, defense of property, consent, and necessity (public and private).

9. Negligence Torts: Definition and Cases

Explore the definition of negligence torts and the five elements that prove negligence in a lawsuit: duty, breach of duty, cause in fact, proximate causes, and damages. See examples of negligence tort cases and learn about the Palsgraf case, one of the landmark personal injury cases.

10. Special Negligence Doctrines: Examples Cases

Special Negligence Doctrines are used to determine if the elements of negligence exist in a court case. Using example cases, determine the difference between the two doctrines, negligence ~'per se~' and ~'res ipsa loquitur.~'

11. Defenses for Negligence: Definition and Examples

Negligence is a type of accusation brought against a defendant in court. Learn the definition of negligence as well as examples of the three categories of defenses for negligence: pure, modified, and slight-gross.

12. Other Defenses to Negligence

A tort is a civil cause of action based on someone's negligence, which allows the victim to sue the tortfeasor for damages. Explore the Rescue Doctrine, the Good Samaritan Act, the Fireman's Rule, and the Dram Shop Acts, which are some of the defenses to a tort of negligence.

13. Defenses for Landowners, Common Carriers, Innkeepers and Social Host Negligence

Landowners, common carriers, innkeepers, and social hosts have designated responsibilities and possess legal defenses in accusations of negligence. Take a closer look at all four of these cases and examine common issues of negligence.

14. Strict Liability Torts: Definition and Examples

In strict liability torts, a party can be held responsible for damage inflicted on another party regardless of whether the damage was intentional. Explore the definition, types, and examples of strict liability torts, and how they apply to animals owned or possessed, abnormally dangerous acts, and product liability.

15. Harm to Reputation or Economic Interests: Defamation, Libel, & Slander

Defamatory statements are false statements that cause harm to the reputation or economic interests of an individual. Learn about defamation, the difference between libel and slander, and how the case of Carol Burnett v. National Enquirer, Inc. illustrates the need to prove malice in defamation lawsuits.

16. What Is Vicarious Liability? - Definition and Examples

When vicarious liability applies to a situation, then a third party may be held responsible for the actions of another party, such as a parent being fined for the actions of their child. Learn the definition of vicarious liability and its different forms, the meaning of negligent entrustment, and explore examples of how indirect parties can be involved in a lawsuit.