Introduction to Business Law – Complete Notes

These flashcards cover key legal concepts, definitions, and cases related to Business Law and Tort Law topics.

Tort

A civil wrong or injury to another person, property, or economic interest (other than breach of contract).

Tortfeasor

One who commits a tort against another.

Intentional Torts

Defendant deliberately takes action causing injury.

Negligent Torts

Defendant acts carelessly, creating unreasonable risk of harm.

Strict-Liability Torts

Defendant undertakes inherently dangerous activity that cannot be done safely.

Battery

Intentional, unwanted, offensive bodily contact.

Assault

Placing another in fear/reasonable apprehension of immediate, offensive bodily contact.

Invasion of Privacy

Public disclosure of private facts, intrusion on seclusion.

Defamation

Intentional publication of a false statement of fact harmful to reputation.

Libel

Written/published defamation.

Slander

Spoken defamation.

Absolute Privilege

Statements during testimony to Congress, courts, legislative proceedings.

Conditional Privilege

Not liable unless false statement made with actual malice.

Trespass to Realty

Unauthorized entry onto real property possessed by plaintiff.

Disparagement

Publishing false statement about business's product/service causing lost sales.

Negligence

Behavior that creates an unreasonable risk of harm to others.

Duty

Standard of care a reasonable person owes another.

Breach of Duty

Failure to live up to the standard of care.

Causation

Both actual cause and proximate cause.

Damages

Compensable loss suffered by plaintiff.

Vicarious Liability

Employer is liable for employees' negligent acts when acting within the course and scope of employment.

Workers' Compensation

No-fault employer insurance coverage for job-related injuries.

Negligence Per Se

Proving negligence by showing defendant violated a statute enacted to prevent a certain type of harm.

Four Elements of Negligence

Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages.

Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co.

Case establishing that no liability arises for unforeseeable injuries.

Comparative Negligence

Apportions liability between plaintiff and defendant according to degree of responsibility.

Employer's Liability for Employees' Acts

Under respondeat superior, employers are responsible for employees' negligent actions.