Business and Its Legal Environment (Mgmt 246) - Torts

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to tort law as discussed in the lecture notes.

Tort

A wrongful act not based on a contract.

Intentional Torts

Torts arising from an act that the defendant consciously performs.

Negligence

A theory for tort cases focusing on the defendant's lack of intent but a breach of duty creating risk of harm.

Strict Liability

Liability without fault, typically involving ultrahazardous activities or mass-produced products.

Causation

The link between the defendant’s act and the plaintiff’s damages.

Damages

Financial losses that must be proven for a tort case to succeed.

Defamation

False statement of fact published to a third party causing damage to the plaintiff.

Conversion

An intentional tort where the defendant uses the plaintiff's property for their own purposes without permission.

Fraud

A misrepresentation where the defendant knowingly makes a false statement intending to deceive the plaintiff.

Duty of Care

The obligation of a defendant to conform to a standard of conduct for the protection of others.

Assumption of Risk

A defense in negligence cases where the plaintiff cannot win if they voluntarily engaged in a known dangerous situation.

Product Liability

Legal responsibility of manufacturers for defects in products that cause harm.

Punitive Damages

Damages awarded as punishment in addition to compensatory damages, available in intentional tort cases.