法律英语专题侵权法(tortlaw)省公共课一等奖全国赛课获奖课件.pptx

Tort Law第1页GeneralTortlacivilwrongwhichunfairlycausessomeoneelsetosufferlossorharmItdoesnotincludebreachofcontractortrust.(Acivilwrongcanbeatort,breachofcontractorbreachoftrust.)Purposeoftortlawltoproviderelieftotheinjuredpartythroughtheawardofdamagesfortheinjuriesincurredduringatortiousact第2页GeneralltodeterothersfromcommittingthesameactUStortlawlTortlawintheU.S.islargelycommonlaw.Courtshavethepowertoshapeandchangetheelementsofclaimsanddefensesofexistingtortsandthepowertocreatenewtorts.lStatuteshavebeenpassedinattemptstoreformthetortsystem.第3页GeneralMostofthemhaverelatedtoproceduralmattersandamountsandcategoriesofdamages.lManyjudgesutilizetheRestatement of Torts(2nd)asaninfluentialguide.TheRestatementisaninfluentialtreatiseissuedbytheAmericanLawInstitute,whichsummarizesthegeneralprinciplesofcommonlawUnitedStatestortlaw.Categoriesoftortslintentionaltorts第4页Generallnegligencelstrictliabilitytorts第5页Intentional Torts第6页GeneralDefinitionlAnintentionaltortisatortresultingfromanintentionalactonthepartofthetortfeasor.Subcategoriesltortsagainstthepersonassaultbatteryfalseimprisonmentintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress第7页Generallpropertytortstrespasstolandtrespasstochattels(personalproperty)conversionldignitarytortsdefamationinvasionofprivacy 第8页TortsAgainstthePerson第9页AssaultDefinitionlanintentionalactthatcausesanapprehensionofimmediateharmfuloroffensivecontactApprehensionisnotthesameasfearhereitmeansawarenessthataninjuryoroffensivecontactisimminent.RequirementslTheactmustbeovert.Merewordsdonotconstituteanassault.第10页AssaultTheremustbeanaccompanyingact.lThedefendantmusthavetheapparentabilitytocarryoutthecontact.Actualabilitytocarryoutthecontactisnotnecessary.lTheplaintiffmusthaveareasonableapprehensionofsuchcontact.Actualfearontheplaintiffspartisnotrequired.Examples第11页AssaultlswingingabaseballbatatsomeonelholdingarockandthreateningtothrowitatsomeonelpointingagunatsomeonelpointingarealistictoygunatsomeoneCriminalassaultandtortiousassaultlCriminalassaultcanoccurevenwhennothreatisperceivedbythevictim.lWiththetortofassault,aperceivedthreatbythevictimisparamount.第12页AssaultAdefendantwhothrowsarockatasleepingvictimandmissescanonlybeguiltyoftheattemptedbatteryassault,sincethevictimwouldnotbeawareofthepossibleharm.第13页BatteryDefinitionlanintentionalactthatcausesaharmfuloroffensivecontactHarmfulcontactlcontactthatobjectivelyintendstoinjure,disfigure,impair,orcausepainOffensivecontactlcontactthatwouldoffendapersonssenseofpersonaldignity第14页BatteryExampleslbeatingsomeonewithatireironlspittinginsomeonesfacelknockingahatoffsomeonesheadlwhippingahorseonwhichsomeonewasriding,causinghimtofallandbeinjuredlmixingsomethingoffensiveinfoodthatheknowsanotherwilleattheotherdoesinfacteattheoffensivematter第15页BatteryldiggingapitwiththeintentthatanotherwillfallintoitlatertheotherdoesinfactfallintoitCriminalandtortiousbatterylUsuallybatteryisprosecutedasacrimeonlyincasesinvolvingseriousharmtothevictim.Criminallawrecognizesdegreesofcrimesinvolvingphysicalcontact.Thereisbutasingletortofbattery.第16页False ImprisonmentDefinitionlthedetentionofapersoninaboundedareawithoutjustificationorconsentTheessenceofthetortisthenaturalmentalharmthatresultswhenonesfreedomisrestrictedwithoutjustification.Elementslintenttoconfineapersonwithinacertainarea第17页False ImprisonmentlactualconfinementlawarenessoftheconfinementbythepersonsoconfinedlnoreasonablemeansofescapeFalsearrestlFalsearrestoccurswhensomeonearrestsanotherindividualwithoutthelegalauthoritytodoso,whichbecomesfalseimprisonmentthemomentheorsheistakenintocustody.第18页IIEDDefinitionshortforintentional infliction of emotional distressreferredtoasthe tort of outrageinsomejurisdictionslintentionalconductthatresultsinextremeemotionaldistressElementslThedefendantmustactintentionallyorrecklessly.第19页IIEDlThedefendantsconductmustbeextremeandoutrageous.lTheconductmustcausetheplaintifftosuffersevereemotionaldistress.SevereemotionaldistresslThistortinvolvesmorethanhurtfeelings,disappointment,orworry.lTheremustbeseverementalsuffering,i.e.suchthatnoreasonablepersonshouldbeexpectedtoendureit.第20页IIEDThisstandardisquantifiedbytheintensity,duration,andanyphysicalmanifestations(ulcersorheadaches,forexample)ofthedistress.ExampleslApersonrefusedtoinformanotherofthewhereaboutsofthatotherschildforseveralyears,thoughthepersonknewwherethechildwastheentiretime.第21页IIEDlApersonsentalettertoanotherfalselyinforminghimthataclosefamilymemberofhishadbeenkilledinanaccident.第22页Statute of LimitationsDefinitionlanenactmentthatrestrictsthetimewithinwhichlegalproceedingsmaybeinitiatedObjectiveltopreventclaimsfromarisingafterallevidencehasbeenlostorafterthefactshavebecomeobscurethroughthepassageoftime,orthedeathordisappearanceofwitnesses第23页Statute of LimitationsFunctionlThestatuteoflimitationsisadefensethatisordinarilyassertedbythedefendanttodefeatanactionbroughtagainsthimaftertheappropriatetimehaselapsed.ApplicationlThedefendantmustraisethedefensebeforethecourtuponansweringtheplaintiffscomplaint.第24页Statute of LimitationslIfnot,heisregardedashavingwaivedthedefenseandwillnotbepermittedtouseitinanysubsequentproceedings.TollingthestatutelWhenthestatuteistolled,therunningoflimitationsissuspendeduntilsomeeventspecifiedbylawtakesplace.Mostjurisdictionsprovidethatthestatuteoflimitationsistolledundercertaincircumstances:第25页Statute of LimitationsTheplaintiffisaminor.Theplaintiffhasbeendeemedinsane.Theplaintiffhasbeenconvictedofafelonyandisimprisoned.Thedefendantisinbankruptcy.第26页Shopkeepers PrivilegeGenerallInsomejurisdictionsoftheUS,thecourtsrecognizeacommonlawshopkeepersprivilege,underwhichashopkeeperisallowedtodetainasuspectedshoplifteronstorepropertyforareasonableperiodoftime,solongastheshopkeeperhasprobablecausetobelievethatthepersondetainedinfactcommitted,orattemptedtocommit,theftofstoreproperty.第27页Shopkeepers PrivilegeThisprivilegedoesnotincludethepowerofsearch.RequisiteconditionslInvestigationonornearpremisesThedetentionitselfshouldbeeffectedeitheronthestorepremisesorintheimmediatevicinitythereof.lReasonablesuspicionTheshopkeeperhasreasonablegroundstosuspecttheparticularpersondetainedisshoplifting.第28页Shopkeepers PrivilegelReasonableforceonlyOnlyreasonable,non-deadlyforceisusedtoeffectthedetention.lReasonableperiodandmannerofdetentionThedetentionitselfmaybeforonlythetimenecessarytomakeareasonableinvestigationofthefacts.第29页PropertyTorts第30页Trespass to LandGenerallTrespasstolandoccurswhenapersondirectlyentersuponanotherslandwithoutpermission,orremainsupontheland,orplacesorprojectsanyobjectupontheland.lThebasisforthistortistherighttoexclusivepossessionoftheland.NaturelThistortisactionable per se.第31页Trespass to LandDamagesarenotrequiredtobeprovenforintentionaltrespass.Onlywhentheentryisnegligentisthereanyneedtoprovedamages.IntentlTheintentrequirementoftrespassisonlythatthepersonintendedtoentertheproperty.Itisirrelevantwhetherornottheentryisamistake,causedbyignoranceoftheownershiportheboundaries.第32页Trespass to LandNotelTherightsinherentinthepossessionoflandextendaboveandbelowthesurface.第33页Trespass to ChattelsDefinitionltheintentionalinterferencewithanotherpersonslawfulpossessionofachattel(movablepersonalproperty)Interferencelanyphysicalcontact(intermeddling)withthechattelinaquantifiablewaylanydispossessionofthechattel(whetherbytakingit,destroyingit,orbarringtheownersaccesstoit)第34页Trespass to ChattelsNotelIncasesofintermeddling,thereneedstobeactualharmsustainedbytheplaintiffinorderforhimtosue.Damagesarelimitedtotheactualharm(whichcanincludeeconomiclossasaresultofthetrespasse.g.lossofprofitonadamagedchattel).lIncasesofdispossession,theplaintiffisalwaysentitledtodamagesevenifnoquantifiableharmcanbeproven.第35页Trespass to ChattelsExamplelHermanseeshisWar and Peacesittingonatable.Hepicksupthebook,putsitinhisbagandgoeshome.Infact,thebookbelongstoLeonandHermanhasmistakenitforhisowncopy.lInthiscase,HermanisliableforatrespasstochattelsbecauseheintendedtotakeLeonsbook,eventhoughhisactionwasbasedonareasonablemistake.第36页ConversionGenerallConversionoccurswhensomeonewrongfullytakesorusespropertyofanotherfortheirownpurposesordestroysitoraltersitsnature.ConversionandtheftlTheftwillalsobeconversion.lButnotallconversionsaretheftsbecauseconversionrequiresnoelementofdishonesty.第37页ConversionPropertysubjecttoconversionlItmustbepersonalproperty.Realpropertycannotbelostandthenfound.lItmustbetangible.money,ananimal,furniture,ortoolscropsortimber(aftertheyareseveredfromtheground)rightsinapaper,suchasalifeinsurancepolicy,astockcertificate,orapromissorynote第38页ConversionExampleslApersonhasanotherscartowedawayinordertotaketheparkingplace.lAdrycleanermistakenlydeliversasuittothewrongcustomer.lAmechanicborrowsasportscarheissupposedtorepairwithoutpermission.lAneighborlendsherhedgetrimmertoafriend,butthefriendusesittocutdownatree.第39页Trespass to Chattels and ConversionGenerallThetwoconceptsarecloselyrelated.SimilaritylBothincludethewrongful,intentionalinterferenceofpersonalproperty.DifferencelTheyaredifferentindegreethedamagedonetotheplaintiffspossessioninaconversioncaseismoreseverethaninatrespasscase.第40页Trespass to Chattels and ConversionApplicationlIngeneral,whenanobjectisdamagedbutrepairable,trespasstochattelsisthemoreappropriatetort.Whensomethingisdestroyedorstolen,conversionismoreappropriate.lWhentrespassisfound,apersoncanrecoverthevalueofthelostuseoftheitemandrecovertheitemitself.Conversion,instead,allowsapersontorecoverthefullvalueoftheitem.第41页Trespass to Chattels and ConversionExamplelDaphnehitsMartysdogwithhercar.Thedogsuffersabrokenleg.ThiswouldbeanactionabletrespasstochattelsandMartywouldbeawardeddamagescommensuratewiththeharmdonebyDaphne.lDaphnehitsMartysdogwithhercar.Thedogdies.Thiswouldbeanactionableconversion.Martywouldbeawardedthedogsfullvalue.第42页DignitaryTorts第43页DefamationDefinitionlthecommunicationofafalsestatementthatharmsapersonsreputationDefamatoryinformationmustbecommunicatedtoathirdperson.Typeslslanderoraldefamation(spokenstatements)llibelwrittendefamation(written,printedorbroadcastwords)第44页DefamationPublicfigurelawofdefamationlApublicfigurealleginglibelmustproveactualmalice.Publicfiguresvoluntarilyplacethemselvesinapositionthatinvitesclosescrutiny.Defamationper selSomecategoriesofstatementsareconsidereddefamatoryper seinjuryispresumedandneedntbeproven.第45页Defamationastatementthatnegativelyaffectsapersonsreputationrelatingtohisbusinessorprofessionallegationsthatapersonisunchasteallegationsthatapersonisinfectedwithasexuallytransmitteddiseaseallegationsthatapersonhascommittedacrimeofmoralturpitude(suchasrapeorincest)Defensestoclaimsofdefamationltruth第46页Defamationlopinionlprivilegeevidencegivenincourtstatementsmadeinasessionofthelegislature第47页Invasion of PrivacyDefinitionltheintrusionintothepersonallifeofanother,withoutjustcauseCategorieslintrusionofsolitudeactualphysicalorelectronicintrusionintoapersonsprivatequartersApersonwasundressingathome,andsomeonefilmedthiswithouttellingtheperson.第48页Invasion of PrivacylpublicdisclosureofprivatefactsthedisseminationoftruthfulprivateinformationwhichareasonablepersonwouldfindobjectionableAnunscrupulousreporterrummagedthroughapublicfiguresgarbagetofindevidenceofprescriptiondruguseorotherhighlypersonalmatters.lfalselightthepublicationoffactswhichplaceapersoninafalselight,eventhoughthefactsthemselvesmaynotbedefamatory第49页Invasion of PrivacyFalselightcasesareaboutdamagetoapersonspersonalfeelingsordignity,whereasdefamationisaboutdamagetoapersonsreputation.Areporterreturnedtothesceneofamassivebridgecollapseseveralyearsafterthetragedy.Thereporterattemptedtointerviewthewidowofamanwhodiedinthecrash.Thewidowandherchildrenwerenotathomesothereporterfabricatedastoryaboutthemwhichplacedtheminafalselightinthepubliceye.第50页Invasion of PrivacylappropriationtheunauthorizeduseofapersonsnameorlikenesstoobtainsomebenefitsAlocalrestaurantusedacelebritysnameorimageinacommercialandimpliedanofficialendorsement.第51页Negligence第52页GeneralDefinitionlconductthatbreachesastandardofcaredeemedbythelawasnecessarytoprotectothersfromunreasonablerisksofharmgenerallyexpressedasabreachofadutyElementslThedefendantowedadutyofcaretotheplaintiff;第53页Generallthedefendantbreachedthatduty;andlasaresultofthedefendantsbreachofthatduty,theplaintiffsufferedinjury.第54页Standard of CareGenerallAllpeopleareunderadutytoconductthemselvesinsuchamannerasnottocreateunreasonablerisksofphysicalharmtoothers.lDuringatrial,theconductofthedefendantisreviewedtodetermineifheorshehasmetthereasonablepersonstandard.Wouldareasonablepersonhaveactedsimilarlyundersimilarcircumstances?第55页Standard of CareReasonablepersonlahypotheticalpersoninsocietywhoshowsaveragecare,skillorjudgmentinconductItisnotanaverageortypicalperson.Itisacompositeofacommunitysjudgmentastohowatypicalmemberofthatcommunityshouldbehaveinsituationsthatmightposeathreatofharmtothepublic.第56页Standard of CareEventhoughthemajorityofpeopleinthecommunitymaybehaveinacertainway,thatdoesnotestablishthestandardofconductofthereasonableperson.ReasonablepersonstandardlApersonhasactednegligentlyifshehasdepartedfromconductexpectedofareasonablyprudentpersonactingundersimilarcircumstances.第57页Standard of CareItisacompletelyobjectivetestunderwhichsubjectiveelementsarenormallynottakenintoaccount.Subjectivetraitsofthetortfeasormaybeconsidered,buttheyareconsideredaccordingtoanobjectivestandard.第58页CausationGenerallToestablishcausationinnegligencecasestheplaintiffmustprovethatthedefendantsactwasboththecause-in-factandtheproximatecauseofhisinjuries.Cause-in-factlThebut-fortestWouldtheplaintiffhavebeeninjuredbutfortheactofthedefendant?第59页CausationlThesubstantialfactortestWasthedefendantsactionasubstantialfactorincausingtheplaintiffsinjury?ProximatecauselThedirectnesstestThedefendantsactistheproximatecauseoftheplaintiffsinjuryifthereisanunbrokensequenceofeventsbetweentheactandtheharm.lTheforeseeabilitytest第60页CausationItissufficientifareasonablepersonwouldhaveforeseentheharmfulresults.InterveningcauselaneventwhichoccursafterthedefendantsnegligentacthasoccurredandwhichcontributestotheinjuryIftheinterveningcausewastheproximatecauseoftheplaintiffsinjury,thedefendantsactwillnotbeconsideredtheproximatecause.第61页CausationIftheinterveningcausewasforeseeable,thedefendantwilloftenbeheldliableforthisadditionalharm.第62页NIEDGenerallshortfornegligentinflictionofemotionaldistresslacontroversialcauseofactionlavailableinnearlyallUSstatesbutseverelyconstrainedandlimitedinthemajorityofthemNIEDandIIEDlInanactionforNIEDthereisnoneedtoproveintenttoinflictdistress.第63页NIEDlAnaccidentalinfliction,ifnegligent,issufficienttosupportacauseofaction.UnderlyingconceptlOnehasalegaldutytousereasonablecaretoavoidcausingmentaldistresstoanotherindividual.lIfonebreachesthisdutyandunreasonablycausesmentaldistresstoanotherindividual,hewillbeliablefordamagestotheinjuredindividual.第64页Contributory NegligenceDefinitionladefensethatbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryifhisorherownactsoromissionscontributetotheinjuryBurdenofprooflInsomejurisdictions,thedefendanthastoprovethenegligenceoftheplaintifforclaimant.lInothers,theburdenisontheplaintifftodisprovehisownnegligence.第65页Contribu