Business Law

Found Property

Property that has been discovered and not claimed by its rightful owner.

Abandoned Property

Intentionally discarded property; ownership goes to the finder.

Lost Property

Accidentally lost property; finder has rights against everyone except the true owner.

Mislaid Property

Intentionally placed and forgotten property; belongs to the owner of the premises until claimed.

Treasure Trove

Old valuables such as gold, silver, or jewels; generally belongs to the finder.

Tort

A civil wrong that causes injury or loss.

Assault

Creating fear of immediate harmful or offensive contact.

Battery

Harmful or offensive physical contact.

False Imprisonment

Unjustified confinement against a person’s will.

Defamation

False statements harming reputation; includes slander (spoken) and libel (written).

Invasion of Privacy

Intrusion, false light, appropriation of identity, or public disclosure of private facts.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Extreme and outrageous conduct causing severe emotional harm.

Fraud

Knowingly misrepresenting a material fact to induce reliance.

Trespass to Land

Interference with possession of real property.

Trespass to Personal Property (Conversion)

Wrongful taking or control of another’s personal property.

Negligence

Accidental harm; failing to act as a reasonable person would in similar circumstances.

Duty of Care

A legal obligation to avoid causing harm to others.

Compensatory Damages

Damages that compensate for actual losses.

Punitive Damages

Damages intended to punish wrongful conduct.

Elements of Negligence

1. Duty of care, 2. Breach of duty, 3. Causation, 4. Damages.

Public Entities

Government entities supported by taxpayer funds.

Private Entities

Businesses such as Microsoft, Walmart, and Kroger.

Common Law

Law based on court decisions and precedents.

Civil Law

Law involving disputes between individuals or organizations, requiring a lower burden of proof.

Criminal Law

Law that addresses offenses against society.