Duty - General Duty of Foreseeable Harm Cases

Heaven v. Pender

Painter injured when defective scaffold ropes broke; dock owner owed care despite no contract. Brett M.R.: foreseeable danger supports a duty of care.

Winterbottom v. Wright

Coach driver injured by a defective wheel; under the historical privity rule, no negligence duty without a contract with the supplier.

Thomas v. Winchester

Poison mislabeled as medicine injured a consumer; imminent danger to human life justified a duty despite lack of contractual privity.

MacPherson v. Buick

Defective car wheel injured buyer; manufacturer owes reasonable care to foreseeable users even without privity when negligent construction threatens serious harm.

Mussivand v. David

Man allegedly transmitted an STD to a married partner who infected her spouse; duty extends to foreseeable spouse until partner knew or should have known of infection.