Duty - Acts of Third Parties

Tarasoff v. Regents

Therapy patient threatened identifiable victim; victim killed. Therapist–patient relationship created duty of reasonable protection.

Thompson v. County of Alameda

Dangerous juvenile posed generalized threat after release. No duty to warn an undefined group without identifiable target.

Regents v. Superior Court

UCLA student stabbed in chemistry lab after warning signs. University owes duty against foreseeable curricular violence; breach separate.

Posecai v. Wal-Mart

Customer robbed in Sam’s Club parking lot. Few prior similar crimes: no duty to supply guards; balance risk against burden.

Fast Eddie’s v. Hall

Intoxicated patron later murdered after leaving tavern. No duty to prevent unforeseeable murder; no ongoing undertaking or proximate cause.

Graff v. Beard

Adult guest drank then drove drunk. Texas imposed no general common-law duty on social host to supervise adult drinking.