TORTS MBE OUTLINE

TORTS........................................................................................................................................................ 2
1. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTENTIONAL TORTS...................................................................................2
1.1 Act by Defendant......................................................................................................................................2
1.2 Intent........................................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Causation.................................................................................................................................................2
2. INTENTIONAL TORT TO THE PERSON.............................................................................................................2
Battery............................................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Assault......................................................................................................................................................3
2.3 False Imprisonment..................................................................................................................................3
3. INTENTIONAL TORTS TO PROPERTY..............................................................................................................4
3.1 Trespass to Land......................................................................................................................................4
3.2 Trespass to Chattel...................................................................................................................................4
3.3 Conversion...............................................................................................................................................5
4. DEFENSES TO INTENTIONAL TORTS...............................................................................................................5
4.1. Consent....................................................................................................................................................5
4.2 Protective Privileges................................................................................................................................5
4.3 Necessity...................................................................................................................................................6
5. GENERAL DUTY OF CARE IN NEGLIGENCE....................................................................................................6
5.1 Duty of Care Owed to Foreseeable Plaintiffs..........................................................................................7
5.2 Basic Standard of Care – Reasonably Prudent Person...........................................................................7
6. SPECIAL NEGLIGENCE DUTIES BASED ON TYPE OF DEFENDANT..................................................................7
6.1 Children....................................................................................................................................................7
6.2 Professionals............................................................................................................................................7
6.3 Possessors of Land...................................................................................................................................7
7. OTHER SPECIAL NEGLIGENCE DUTIES..........................................................................................................7
7.1 Statutory Standards of Care.....................................................................................................................7
7.2 Affirmative Duties to Act..........................................................................................................................7
7.3 Other Particular Standards of Conduct...................................................................................................7
8 NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS........................................................................................7
8.1 Near Miss Cases.......................................................................................................................................7
8.2 Bystander Cases.......................................................................................................................................7
8.3 Special Relationship Between Plaintiff and Defendant............................................................................7
9 BREACH OF DUTY IN NEGLIGENCE................................................................................................................7
9.1 Custom or Usage......................................................................................................................................7
9.2 Violation of Statute...................................................................................................................................7
9.3 Res Ispa Loquitor.....................................................................................................................................7
10. FACTUAL CAUSATION.................................................................................................................................7
10.1 “But For” Test.......................................................................................................................................7
10.2 Merged Cause – Substantial Factor Test...............................................................................................7
10.3 Unascertainable Causes Approach........................................................................................................7
11. PROXIMATE CAUSATION.............................................................................................................................7
11.1 General Rule – Scope of Foreseeable Risk............................................................................................7
11.2 Common Foreseeable Intervening Forces.............................................................................................7
12. DAMAGES AND DEFENSES TO NEGLIGENCE................................................................................................7
12.1 Damages.................................................................................................................................................7
12.2 Contributory Negligence........................................................................................................................7
12.3 Assumption of Risk.................................................................................................................................7
12.4 Comparative Negligence........................................................................................................................7
13 STRICT LIABILITY.........................................................................................................................................7
13.1 Liability for Animals..............................................................................................................................7
13.2 Abnormally Dangerous Activities..........................................................................................................7
13.3 Products Liability...................................................................................................................................7

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 13.4 Affirmative Defenses..............................................................................................................................7
14. NUISANCE......................................................................................................................................................7
14.1 Private Nuisance....................................................................................................................................7
14.2 Public Nuisance.....................................................................................................................................7
14.3 Remedies................................................................................................................................................7
14.4 Defenses.................................................................................................................................................7
15. VICARIOUS LIABILITY.................................................................................................................................7
15.1 Vicarious Liability..................................................................................................................................7
15.2 Multiple Defendant Issues......................................................................................................................7
15.3 Loss of Consortium and Tortious Interference with Family Relationships...........................................7
15.4 Tort Immunities......................................................................................................................................8
16. DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, HARM TO ECONOMIC AND DIGNITARY INTERESTS.........................8
16.1 Defamation.............................................................................................................................................8
16.2 Invasion of Privacy..............................................................................................................................10
16.3 Misrepresentation................................................................................................................................10
16.4 Interference with Business Relations...................................................................................................10

Torts
1. General Considerations for Intentional Torts
 Intentional Tort: ∆ must act with intention that causes a result to π
1.1 Act by Defendant
 Must be volitional
1.2 Intent
 Intend to bring the forbidden consequences of the act.
 Incapacity is not a defense to intentional tort cuz intent was there.
 Transferred Intent:
o ∆ commits tort against a different person
o ∆ commits a different tort against same person
o ∆ commits different tort against different person
 Transferred Intent Torts:
o Assault
o Battery
o False Imprisonment
o Trespass to land
o Trespass to chattel
1.3 Causation
 ∆’s act must play a substantial factor in bringing injury
2. Intentional Tort to the Person
 Hypersensitivity of the π doesn't matter in these cases.
2.1 Battery
 Elements: Harmful/Offensive contact with Π’s Person
1. Harmful or Offensive Contact:
 Reasonable person standard
o Exception: when ∆ knows π is unusually sensitive
 Without privilege: Must not be consented to; in everyday life, consent
is implied (bumping into someone on bus)
 π does not have to be aware of contact, i.e. unconscious
 includes contact of things set in motion, including particles.
2. Π’s Person

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  πs body or “anything which is attached to it & practically identified w/
it” (purse, car).
3. Intent
 Once Δ has engaged in even a mere technical battery against π, the risk
of unforeseen harm arising from battery is borne by Δ→ consequently:
Δ can be liable for greater damages than may be intended.
4. Causation
 Direct (hitting π) or Indirect (setting an object in motion) contact.
 Damages Allowed: Nominal, Actual and Punitive
2.2 Assault
 Elements: An intentional act that creates a reasonable and immediate
apprehension of a harmful or offensive touching ∫
1. Act
 Imminent harmful or Offensive Contact
 Words don't qualify1
 ∆ should be source of contact
2. Intent
 Can be intent to effect an assault or intent to effect a battery
 ∆ must desire or be substantially certain that her action will cause the
apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact.
 Accidental creation of apprehension= not assault but may be denied
3. Causation
 Apparent ability sufficient
4. Apprehension
 Reasonable perception that harmful/ offensive contact about to happen.
 If ∆ has sufficient ability to commit battery, π can have apprehension
 Apprehension is not equated with fear
 π must show apprehension – not required to know identity of ∆
5. Immediacy
 Apprehension must be immediate
2.3 False Imprisonment
 Elements: Intended act/omission to confine/restrain π to bounded area
1. Intentional Act/Omission
 Force or immediate threat of force
 Withholding property
 Omission where there duty to act
2. Confinement
 Physical barriers, physical force, threats of force, failure to release,
invalid assertion of legal authority (false arrest)
 Economic or moral pressure and future threats not enough
 Use of threats of economic retaliation or termination of employment to
coerce π to remain don’t constitute FI
 Time irrelevant, however, amt of compensation reflects length
 π must know of the confinement OR be harmed by it
 Types of lawful confinement
i. Restraint of shoplifters BUT must be:
1. rsbl belief theft occurred

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BUT words can be used to negate intent and reasonable apprehension

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 2. detention in rsbl manner
3. for a rsbl period of time
ii. Discipling a child
iii. Pilot not allowing passengers to move due to legal requirement

3. Bounded area
 Freedom of movement restricted
 No reasonable way of escaping known to π
 Damages Allowed: Nominal and Actual. Punitive damages only allowed if ∆ acted
maliciously.
2.4 Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
 Elements: Extreme and outrageous conduct that causes π severe emotional distress.
1. Intent or Recklessness
 Recklessness disregard about victims suffering also allowed
2. Extreme or Outrageous Conduct
 Transcends all bounds of decency
 Normal conduct can be outrageous if its continuous
 Vulnerability of π & relationship of Δ to π can be criticalm – eg cruelty
towards child or ill patient.
3. Causation
 Bystander can claim IIED when ∆ harms 3rd party by:
a) Prima facie case
b) Presence when conduct happened
c) Relationship with third party
d) ∆ knew (b) and (c)
4. Severe Emotional Distress
3. Intentional Torts to Property
3.1 Trespass to Land
 Elements: Physical invasion of π’s possessory interest in real property
1. Physical Invasion
 Person or object (throwing a ball is sufficient)
 Intangibles (odor, vibrations) are nuisance NOT trespass to land.
 Real property is land, air above, land below.
2. Real Property
 π can own or have the right to possess property (tenant)
3. Intent
 Intent to do the act that results in trespass is sufficient – do not have to
intend to trespass
 Mistake of fact is not a defense
 Mistaken belief of permission to enter is not a defense
4. Causation
 Causal intervention of natural conditions (wind, rain), in initiating or
exacerbating the trespass will not absolve Δ liability.
 ∆ is liable for damages incindental to the trespass
 Damages Allowed: π can recover without showing actual injury to the land
3.2 Trespass to Chattel
 Elements: Intentional interference with the π’s right to possess personal property
1. Intent

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  Intention to interfere – not necessary to know that it belongs to
someone or plan to damage
 Mistake and good faith are not defenses
2. Interference
 Intermeddling or Dispossession
 Longer withholding period or interference can lead to conversion
3. Causation
4. Damages
 Damage either to chattel or possessory right
3.3 Conversion
 Elements: Intentional act seriously interfering with π’s possessory right
warranting payment of full value of property as damages.

 Only tangible personal property and intangibles that have been reduced to physical
form (deed, promissory note)
1. Act
 Wrongful Acquisition,
 Wrongful Transfer
 Wrongful Detention
 Severe Damage or Misuse
2. Interference
 Longer withholding period or extensive use can lead to conversion
3. Intent
 Intent to do the act suffices
 Mistake as to ownership not a defense
4. Causation
 Damages Allowed: May recover damages or possession.

4. Defenses to Intentional Torts

4.1. Consent
 Capacity for Consent: those without capacity or limited capacity can’t consent to ∆’s
conduct.
 Capacity for Intentional Tort: Everyone has capacity to commit a tort. Incapacity is
not a defense.
 Types of Consent:
o Express – not induced through duress, fraud and mistake
o Implied – custom, usage, π’s conduct, implied by law
Consent implied by law consent to medical treatment by medical
professionals if unconscious. Implied by law can be negated - Ex) bracelet that
expresses objective to treatement for religious reasons.
Medical procedure without express or implied consent = battery
4.2 Protective Privileges
 Self Defense

o Must sincerely believe the force is necessary for protection Belief need not
be correct.
o Force must be in response to immeditae threat  pre-emptive strike not
justified retaliation not justified.

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 o Can only use deadly force if deadly force is threated.
Ex- can't shoot someone who throws a punch at you.
o Most Courts: Reject duty to retreat prior to use of non-deadly force.
o Reasonable mistake permitted
 Defense of Others
o Reasonable force can be used to protect a 3rd person from imminent unlawful
physical harm.
o 3rd party can only use force that victim could have used to defend himself.
Majority Rule: Reasonable force can be used to protect victim whenever
intervenor reasonably believes the victim is entitled to self defense. Minority--
Limited Privilege Rule: Use of force in defense of a 3rd person exists only
when the person being defended was privileged to use force.
o Intervenor must stand in the shoes of the person being protected.
o Reasonable mistake permitted
 Defense of Property and Recovery of Property
o Reasonable force can be used to protect land and chattels
o Reasonable mistake does not excuse force directed at innocent parties.
Mistake not allowed against privileged entrant
o Deadly force is never reasonable.
o Even slight force is unreasonable if it is excessive.
o Mechanical devices are never justifiable.
o Defense of Home:Deadly force not justified unless intruder threatens
occupant's safety.  Ex Felony
o Recovery of Property: Can use reasonable force to recover property when in
"hot pursuit" of the wrongdoer.

4.3 Necessity
 Allows the Defendant to interfere with property interests of an innocent party in order
to avoid greater injury.
 Public Necessity - Injuring private property interest to protect the community.
o Complete defense No compensatory damages are owed
 Private Necessity - Person injures private property to protect a private interest valued
greater than the injured property.
o Incomplete defense Defendant must compensate Π
5. General Duty of Care in Negligence
 Elements of a prima facie case:
o Duty, Breach, Cause (actual and proximate) and Damages
5.1 Duty of Care Owed to Foreseeable Plaintiffs
 Duty is owed to all foreseeable π and determined by applicable standard of care.
o Duty is owed to rescuers but not police and firefighters
5.2 Basic Standard of Care – Reasonably Prudent Person
 RPP is used to determine the standard of care  this is an objective test. Mental
deficiency and inexperience are measured.
 EXCEPTIONS
o Superior Skill of Knowledge
o Exception for Physical Characteristics
o

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6. Special Negligence Duties Based on Type of Defendant
6.1 Children
 Children under 5 don't have capacity
 Children engaging in dangerous adult activities can be held to adult standard.
6.2 Professionals
 Professionals must possess skill and knowledge of average member of the
community.
 Doctor’s need to disclose all risks.
6.3 Possessors of Land
 Traditional Law: Duty owed to trespassers, known trespassers, licensees, and
invitees.
Person Duty
Unknown Trespasser No duty is owed
Known Trespasser Must be warned about artificial, concealed, highly dangerous and
known conditions.
Licensee Warn about hazardous conditions that are concealed and known
in advance
Invitees Warn about hazardous conditions that are concealed and known
in advance could have been discovered by reasonable inspection
 Trespassing Children – Attractive Children Doctrine
o Dangerous condition that π should be aware of
o Owner is aware that children could come on the land


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7. Other Special Negligence Duties
7.1 Statutory Standards of Care
7.2 Affirmative Duties to Act
7.3 Other Particular Standards of Conduct
8 Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
8.1 Near Miss Cases
8.2 Bystander Cases
8.3 Special Relationship Between Plaintiff and Defendant
9 Breach of Duty in Negligence
9.1 Custom or Usage
9.2 Violation of Statute
9.3 Res Ispa Loquitor
10. Factual Causation
10.1 “But For” Test
10.2 Merged Cause – Substantial Factor Test
10.3 Unascertainable Causes Approach
11. Proximate Causation
11.1 General Rule – Scope of Foreseeable Risk
11.2 Common Foreseeable Intervening Forces
12. Damages and Defenses to Negligence
12.1 Damages
12.2 Contributory Negligence
12.3 Assumption of Risk
12.4 Comparative Negligence
13 Strict Liability
13.1 Liability for Animals
13.2 Abnormally Dangerous Activities
13.3 Products Liability
13.4 Affirmative Defenses
14. Nuisance
14.1 Private Nuisance
14.2 Public Nuisance
14.3 Remedies
14.4 Defenses
15. Vicarious Liability
15.1 Vicarious Liability
15.2 Multiple Defendant Issues
15.3 Loss of Consortium and Tortious Interference with Family Relationships
15.4 Tort Immunities
16. Defamation, Invasion of Privacy, Harm to Economic and Dignitary Interests
16.1 Defamation
 Elements:
o Defamatory statement
 Must scorn, ridicule, or contempt the π; harm the reputation of the π.

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  Mere insults, pure opinion does not count.
 Must show that a substantial and respectable minority or a right-
thinking minority would comprehend the defamatory nature of the
statement. o A jury question
o Directed towards the π
 Must show that the defamatory communication was understood as
referring to the P.
 Group Defamation Depends on the size of the group The larger
the group, the less likely
o That was published
 Means it must simply reach one person other than the P, and that other
person must be able to understand it.
o And led to damage
 General Damages
 Damages for emotional distress and reputation
 π's reputational injury may be presumed
 Special Damages
 Covers economic losses such as profits
 Difficult to prove
 Damages may be presumed based on whether it is Libel,
Slander, Slander Per Se
o Libel: Written, Photographic, Statute or Sculpture -
Special Damages Must Be Proven
o Slander: Spoken - Special Damages Must Be Proven
o Slander Per Se (4 Categories) - Special Damages are
Presumed
 Communications that directly call into question
the plaintiff's competence to perform adequately
in her trade or profession
 Statements claiming the plaintiff has a current,
loathsome disease, such as syphilis or AIDS
 Allegations of serious criminal misbehavior by
the plaintiff, typically criminal activity involving
moral turpitude.
 Suggesting a lack of chastity in a woman.
 Defenses
o Substantial truth
o If the statement is substantially true, no defamation
o Absolute privilege
 Judicial, legislative, and executive communications are absolutely
privileged, as are spouse-to-spouse communications.
o Qualified privilege
 Based on social utility of protecting communications made in
connection with the ∆’s moral, legal, or social obligations.
 Includes accurate and fair reporting by the media, and employment
references
 Can be lost if:
 ∆ failed to have an honest belief that the statement was true

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  Failing to have an objectively reasonable belief that the
statement was true
 Bydisclosing the information to more people than necessary
(excessive publication.)
 Constitutional Issues
o Public Officials and Public Figures  Must be shown that D either knew that
the statement was false or recklessly disregarded whether the communication
was false - "actual malice"
 Failure to investigate the truth of the statement does not count.
 Basically, a qualified privilege.
 Public officials are those individuals who are positioned to affect
policy.
 Public Figures are those individuals who hold themsleves out to the
 public (i.e., celebrities)
 Actual Malice  π has to ∆’s knowledge of falsity or recklessness as
to truth or falsity if a public official, public figure, or private π in cases
of public concern.
 π also has the burden of showing that the statement is false
o Private persons regarding a matter of public concern Same as for public
official/figure but as an alternative to actual malice requirement, P can prove
negligence and an actual injury to P
o Limited purpose public figure
 Private individual who is so well known in a particular field/issue that
for the purposes of that field/issue they are a public figure
 Three prong test to determine:
1. Was there a legit. public controversy that had ramifications
beyond the parties in the defamation suit?
2. Did the plaintiff thrust himself into the forefront of the dispute?
3. Was the defamation related to the plaintiff's participation in the
dispute?
16.2 Invasion of Privacy
16.3 Misrepresentation
16.4 Interference with Business Relations

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