Chapter 6 Tort Law Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions from Tort Law as discussed in the lecture.

Tort

A civil wrong not arising from a breach of contract that compensates individuals suffering loss or injury due to another's wrongful acts.

Compensatory Damages

Monetary awards equivalent to the actual value of injuries or damages sustained by the aggrieved party.

Punitive Damages

Money awarded to punish the defendant and deter future similar conduct, typically in cases of egregious behavior.

Intentional Torts

Torts resulting from intentional violations of person or property.

Unintentional Torts

Torts that arise from the breach of a duty to act reasonably, typically involving negligence.

Transferred Intent

A legal principle that holds a person liable for intentional torts when their harm intended for one individual inadvertently harms another.

Assault

Any word or action intended to make another person fearful of immediate physical harm.

Battery

The unprivileged, intentional touching of another person, which can be harmful or offensive.

False Imprisonment

The intentional confinement or restraint of another person's activities without justification.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

An intentional act of extreme and outrageous conduct causing severe emotional distress to another.

Defamation

Any false statement published or spoken that injures another's reputation or character.

Libel

Defamation in written or permanent form.

Slander

Defamation in oral form.

Invasion of Privacy

The tort that involves a person's right to solitude and freedom from public scrutiny.

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

A false representation of material facts knowing they are untrue, intended to induce reliance by another party.

Negligent Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation occurring without reasonable grounds for believing the representation was true.

Trespass to Land

The entry onto another's land without permission or legal justification.

Trespass to Personal Property

The unlawful taking or harming of another's personal property.

Conversion

The wrongful taking, using, or retaining possession of personal property belonging to another.

Disparagement of Property

Fake statements about another's product or property causing economic harm.

Negligence

A breach by the defendant of a legal duty of care causing damage to the plaintiff.

Good Samaritan Statutes

Laws that protect individuals providing emergency assistance from being sued for negligence.

Dram Shop Acts

Laws imposing liability on alcohol servers for injuries caused by intoxicated persons they served.

Assumption of Risk

A defense in negligence cases asserting that the plaintiff voluntarily assumed the risk of injury.

Superseding Cause

An intervening event that relieves the defendant of liability in negligence cases.

Contributory Negligence

A defense where the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to their injury, leading to an absolute bar on recovery.

Comparative Negligence

A doctrine where liability for injuries is shared, based on the degree of fault of all parties involved.