Key Legal Cases and Concepts in Tort Law

These flashcards cover crucial legal cases and concepts in tort law, aimed at aiding understanding and recalling key principles for the exam.

Palsgraf v Long Island Railroad Co (1928)

Held that a defendant is not liable for negligence to a plaintiff injured outside the foreseeable zone of danger.

Vosburg v Putney (1891)

Established that a defendant who intentionally commits an unlawful act is liable for all resulting injuries, even if unintended.

Brown v Board of Education (1954)

Unanimous decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional; separate facilities are inherently unequal.

International Shoe v Washington (1945)

Established that a corporation can be subject to a state's jurisdiction if it has minimum contacts with the state.

United States v Carroll Towing (1947)

Introduced the hand formula for negligence; a party is negligent if the burden of precautions is less than the potential harm.

Greenman v Yuba Power Products (1963)

Established strict liability in product defect cases, holding manufacturers liable for defects regardless of negligence.

Donna Huey Stevenson (1932)

Established that manufacturers owe a duty of care to consumers without a contract, founding modern negligence law.

Summers v Theiss (1948)

Held that when two negligent defendants cause a plaintiff's injury, both can be held jointly liable under alternative liability.

Bern v Votel (1863)

Established res ipsa loquitur, allowing negligence to be inferred when the circumstances imply it.

Vincent v Lake Erie Transportation Company (1910)

Held that a ship owner is liable for damage when mooring a vessel to another's dock during a storm.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

A legal doctrine meaning 'the thing speaks for itself'; allows inferring negligence from the nature of an accident.