Torts
T2/9/2016
Prof.Duncan
1. Hikergetslostinthewoods.AsHikeristryingtofindhiswayoutofthe
woods,heisattackedbyabear.AsHikerisrunningfromtheattacking
bear,heseesacabininthewoods.Thedoorofthecabinhasaconspicuous
signsaying,“PrivateProperty.KeepOut!”Indesperationafterreadingthe
sign,thehikertriesthedoorandfindsittobeunlocked.Heentersthe
cabinandshutsthedoorbehindhim.Abouttwentyminuteslater,hikeris
rescuedandleavesthecabinunharmedexactlyashefoundit.Possessorof
thecabinisfuriousthatHikerenteredthecabinwithoutpermissionand
suesHikerfortrespasstoland.IsHikerliablefortrespass?
A. No,Hikerisnotliablefortrespasstolandbecausehewas
exercisingtheprivilegeofprivatenecessity.
B. Yes,Hikerisliablefortrespasstolandbecauseheintentionally
enteredthepropertyinthepossessionofanotherwithoutconsent.
C. Yes,trespasstolandisactionableonnominaldamagesonlyandso
thefactthatHikerdidnoharmtothecabinisimmaterial.
D. No,becauseapersonmayfreelyenteranyone’spropertyaslongas
theentrywillreasonablybenefittheperson.
EXPLANATION:
Aiscorrect.Undertheprivilegeofprivatenecessity,apersonmayenterthe
landofanotherwithoutpermissioninordertoavoidseriousandimminent
harmtotheperson.Thelandownerhasnorighttoexcludethatperson,and
thepersonisnotliableforanynominaldamagesassociatedwithtrespass.
Heretherewerenoactualdamages,sotherecanbenoliability.
Bisincorrect.Undertheprivilegeofprivatenecessity,apersonmayenterthe
landofanotherwithoutpermissioninordertoavoidseriousandimminent
harmtotheperson.Thelandownerhasnorighttoexcludethatperson,and
thepersonisnotliableforanynominaldamagesassociatedwithtrespass.
Heretherewerenoactualdamages,sotherecanbenoliability.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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Cisincorrect.Whileitistruethattrespasstolandisactionableonnominal
damagesonly.Whenadefendantsuccessfullyclaimsthedefenseofprivate
necessity,thereisnoliabilityforanynominaldamages.
Disblatantlylegallyerroneous.Itissimplyanincorrectruleoflawwhichif
correctwouldpreventtheexistenceofthetrespasstolandaction.
2.
Hikergetslostinthewoods.AsHikeristryingtofindhiswayoutofthe
woods,heisattackedbyabear.AsHikerisrunningfromtheattackingbear,
heseesacabininthewoods.Thedoorofthecabinhasaconspicuoussign
saying,“PrivateProperty.KeepOut!”Indesperationafterreadingthesign,
Hikertriesthedoorandfindsittobeunlocked.Heentersthecabinandshuts
thedoorbehindhim.Hikeristrappedinthecabinforweeksbeforerescue
arrivesandthebearisscaredoff.Duringthetimehewasinthecabin,hiker
hadtodestroywoodenfurnituretokeepafiregoinginordertoprevent
himselffromfreezingtodeath.Healsohadtomakeasmallholeintheroofto
allowsnowtomeltanddripintothecabinsohecouldhavedrinkingwater.
Andfinally,hehadtousefoodstoredinthecabinetsinordertosurvive.After
rescue,thePossessorofthecabinsueshikerfortrespasstoland.IsHiker
liabletoPossessor?
A. No,hikerisnotliablefortrespasstolandbecausehewasexercisingthe
privilegeofprivatenecessity.
B. Yes,hikerisliablefortrespasstolandbecauseheintentionallyentered
thepropertyinthepossessionofanotherwithoutconsent.
C. Yes,becauseHikercausedactualdamagetotheproperty.
D. No,becauseapersonmayfreelyenteranyone’spropertyaslongasthe
entrywillreasonablybenefittheperson.
EXPLANATION:
Aisincorrectbecausethedefenseofprivatenecessityallowsyoutoenterand
useanother’spropertywhenthereisaseriousanimminentthreattoyour
person,butitonlypreventsliabilityfornominaldamages.Whiletheprivilege
allowsdefendanttousethepropertyofanotherinanemergencytosave
defendant’slifeandittrumpsthelandowner’srighttoexcludedefendant
duringtheemergency,thedefendantmustpayforanyactualharmdone.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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Biswrong.Theprivilegeofprivatenecessityallowsdefendanttoenter
propertyofanotherwithoutconsent.Theentryisconsideredatrespassbut
thedefendantwillnotbeliableaslongasnoactualdamageiscaused.Sothe
mereintentionalentryontothelanddoesnottriggerliabilityassuggestedin
answerchoiceB.
Ciscorrect.Thedefenseofprivatenecessityallowsyoutoenteranduse
another’spropertywhenthereisaseriousanimminentthreattoyourperson
butitonlypreventsliabilityfornominaldamages.Whiletheprivilegeallows
defendanttousethepropertyofanotherinanemergencytosavedefendant’s
lifeandittrumpsthelandowner’srighttoexcludedefendantduringthe
emergency,thedefendantmustpayforanyactualharmdone.Heretherewas
harmdonetofurniture,theroofandsupplieswereconsumedsotherewas
actualharmandthereforeliabilitywillattach.
Disblatantlylegallyerroneous.Itissimplyanincorrectruleoflawwhichif
correctwouldpreventtheexistenceofthetrespasstolandaction.
3.
InsanePersonerroneouslybelievesthatIndividualissickandneeds
help.InsanePersonbelievesthatIndividualcanbecuredbyhittingIndividual
overtheheadwithabaseballbat.InsanePersonhitsIndividualinthehead
withabaseballbattocurehimandcauseshimseriousharm.DidInsane
Personcommitabattery?
A. No,becauseInsanePersonwasmistakeninbelievingthebaseballbat
wouldcuretheperson.
B. Yes,becausetheInsanePersonintendednoharmbutonlyintendedto
help.
C. No,becauseaninsanepersoncannothaveintent.
D. Yes,becauseInsanePersonintentionallycausedcontactwhichwas
harmfuloroffensivetothepersonofanother.
EXPLANATION:
Aisincorrectbecausemistakedoesnotnegateintent.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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Biswrongbecausemotiveandintentarenotthesame.Apersonwiththe
bestofintentionsintouchingapersonmaynonethelessbeliableforbattery
ifareasonablepersonwouldfindthecontactharmfuloroffensive.
Cislegallyincorrect.Insanepeoplearedeemedtohaveintentexactlylike
sanepeople.
Discorrect.Theinsanepersonisliableforintentionaltortsexactlylike
asanepersonwouldbeandheretheinsanepersonactedintentionally
tocausecontacttotheindividualwhichwasharmfuloroffensive.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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4.
Bullyintendstocausevictimtosuffersevereemotionaldistress.Asa
result,Bullywantstomakevictimlookweakinfrontofotherclassmates.As
victimisapproachinghislockerbetweenclasses,Bullysneaksupbehind
victimandgentlysays,“Hey.”Asvictimturnsaround,Bullyscreamsrightin
hisface,causingvictimtolurchbackwardsoutoffearandsurpriseandtohit
thebackofhisheadonthelockerfromfearofwhatthevictimthoughtwasan
imminentphysicalattackonhim.AssumetheprankbytheBullyisnot
consideredextremeandoutrageousandBullyneverintendedforthevictimto
sufferphysicalharm.Howmaythevictimrecoverfortheinjuriessuffered
whenhehithishead?
A. Sueforbatterybecausethebullyintendedextremeemotionaldistress
andeventhoughthattortisnotactionabletheintentfromthe
emotionaldistresstortwilltransferrenderingbatteryactionable.
B. SueforbatterybecauseeventhoughBullydidnotintendphysicalharm,
itwouldhavebeenaforeseeableresulttoareasonableperson.
C. SueforassaultandbatterybecauseBullywasprobably
substantiallycertainthathisactionswouldcauseapprehensionof
harmfuloroffensivecontact,andtheintentfromassaultwill
transfertobatteryrenderingthetortofbatterycomplete.
D. Suefortrespasstochattelbecausethevictim’sheadhitthelocker,
causingdamagetothelocker,andtheintentfortrespasstochattelswill
transfertomakeassaultandbatteryactionable.
EXPLANATION:
AiswrongbecauseintentdoesnottransfertoanytortfromIntentional
InflictionofEmotionalDistress.Intentonlytransfersbetweenthefivetorts
whichwerewithintheoriginalwritoftrespass,(TrespasstoLand,Trespassto
Chattel,FalseImprisonment,AssaultandBattery).
Biswrongbecausemereforeseeabilityisnotenoughtobesubstantial
certainty,andfurthermorethisanswerchoiceusesthereasonableperson
standardwhichisnotappropriatefordeterminingthesubjectivestateof
mindrequiredtobeshownforintentionaltorts.
Ciscorrect.Thebullylikelyintendedtoscarethevictimifheyelledinhis
face.Evenifhisultimatespecificintentwastoembarrassthevictiminfront
ofhispeers,theBullylikelykneworattheveryleastwassubstantiallycertain
thatthevictimwouldbefearfulorapprehensiveofcontactafterhescreamed.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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Oncethissubstantialcertaintyisestablishedforassault,intentisestablished
forallthefivetortswithintheoriginalwritoftrespass,(TrespasstoLand,
TrespasstoChattel,FalseImprisonment,AssaultandBattery).Therefore
evenifthebullyneverintendedharmfuloroffensivecontact,theintentfrom
assaultwouldtransfersatisfyingtheintentrequirementofbatteryand
becauseharmfuloroffensivecontactoccurred,batterywouldbeactionable.
Disincorrect.Thefactsclearlystatethatthebullyneverintendedforthe
victimtosufferphysicalharm,whichinturnlikelymeansthebullynever
intendedthevictimtodamagethelocker.Becausetherewasnointentto
intermeddleofinterferewithachattelinthepossessionofanotherthenthere
willbenointentavailablefortransferifthisisthecauseofactionchosen.
Additionally,itisambiguouswhetheralockerinaschoolisachattelorreal
property.
5.
PrivatecitizenApublishesalettertoprivatecitizenBaboutprivate
citizenC.IntheletterAtellsBfalsestatementsaboutC,whichhurtC’s
reputation.CsuesAfortheharmcausedtohisreputation.MayCrecover?
A. Cmaynotrecoverforharmtohisreputationabsentphysicalinjury.
B. Cmayrecoverforslander.
C. Cmayrecoverforlibel.
D. CmaynotrecoverunlessAknewthestatementsintheletterwerefalse
atthetimeAmadethestatements.
EXPLANATION:
Aisincorrectbecauseadefamationlawsuitisactionablewhenadefendant
publishestoathirdpartyafalsestatementcontainingdefamatorymaterialof
andconcerningtheplaintiff.Defamatorymaterialisanythingthatharmsthe
plaintiff’sreputation.Defamationcausesofactionareactionableeven
withoutphysicalharm.
Bisincorrectbecauseslanderisthetermusedtodefineadefamationcauseof
actionbasedonspokenratherthanwrittenstatements.Herethedefamatory
materialwaswrittenandsoslanderisnotactionable.
Ciscorrectbecauseadefamationlawsuitisactionablewhenadefendant
publishestoathirdpartyafalsestatementcontainingdefamatorymaterialof
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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andconcerningtheplaintiff.Defamatorymaterialisanythingthatharmsthe
plaintiff’sreputation.Defamationcausesofactionareactionableeven
withoutphysicalharm.When,asinthisexample,thedefamationactionis
basedonawrittenstatementtheappropriatecauseofactionislibel.
Disincorrectbecauseunderthecommonlawofdefamation,whichisstill
thoughttoapplytodisputesbetweenprivatecitizensaboutnonpublicinterest
statements,intentorculpabilityisirrelevant.Defamationunderthecommon
lawwasastrictliabilitycauseofaction.
6.
TonyalayinwaitforMichael.Shehatedhim,andherhatemadeher
certifiablyinsane.Thistimeshewasgoingtogethim.AsMichaelcruised
alongthehighway,Tonyahidinthebushesatthesideoftheroadandplanned
toramahugepieceofmetalintotherearwheelofMichael’smotorbike.The
planwasasuddenstop,causingMichaeltoflyoverthefrontofthebikeandto
becomeseverelycutashedraggedalongtheroad.AsTonyarammedthe
woodintothewheel,Michaelscreamedinterrorandthenflewoverthebike.
Hewasseverelyinjuredfromhiscontactwiththeroadandsufferedaseverely
disablingemotionalresponse.Hisbikewasalsocompletelydestroyedinthe
process.Tonyadidnotintendtoscarehimortocausesevereemotionalharm
ortowreckhisbike.WhatcausesofactiondoesMichaellikelyhave?
A. Michaellikelyhasacauseofactionforbatteryonly.
B. Michaellikelyhasacauseofactionforassaultandbattery.
C. Michaellikelyhasacauseofactionforassault,batteryand
intentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress.
D. Michaellikelyhasacauseofactionforbattery,assault,intentional
inflictionofemotionaldistressandconversion.
EXPLANATION:
Aisincorrect.Tonyaclearlyintendedtocauseabattery,butalsoendedup
scaringMichaelasevidencedbyhis“screaminterror.”Thereforebecauseof
thedoctrineoftransferredintentTonya’sintenttocommitbatterywillalso
resultinanassaultbecausefearorapprehensionofharmfuloroffensive
contactalsoresulted.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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Biscorrect.Tonyaclearlyintendedtocauseabattery,butalsoendedup
scaringMichaelasevidencedbyhis“screaminterror.”Thereforebecauseof
thedoctrineoftransferredintentTonya’sintenttocommitbatterywillalso
resultinanassaultbecausefearorapprehensionofharmfuloroffensive
contactalsoresulted.
Cisincorrect.Tonyaclearlyintendedtocauseabattery,butalsoendedup
scaringMichaelasevidencedbyhis“screaminterror.”Thereforebecauseof
thedoctrineoftransferredintentTonya’sintenttocommitbatterywillalso
resultinanassaultbecausefearorapprehensionofharmfuloroffensive
contactalsoresulted.Soassaultandbatteryarelikelyactionable.However,
IIEDisnotoneofthetortstoorfromwhichintenttransfers.BecauseTonya
didnothavetheindependentintenttocauseaseverelydisablingemotional
responsetherecanbenoviablecauseofactionforIIED.
Disincorrect.Tonyaclearlyintendedtocauseabattery,butalsoendedup
scaringMichaelasevidencedbyhis“screaminterror.”Thereforebecauseof
thedoctrineoftransferredintentTonya’sintenttocommitbatterywillalso
resultinanassaultbecausefearorapprehensionofharmfuloroffensive
contactalsoresulted.Soassaultandbatteryarelikelyactionable.However,
IIEDisnotoneofthetortstoorfromwhichintenttransfers.BecauseTonya
didnothavetheindependentintenttocauseaseverelydisablingemotional
responsetherecanbenoviablecauseofactionforIIED.Similarlyconversion
isnotoneofthetortstoorfromwhichintenttransfers.Asaresulttherecan
benoviableclaimforconversionbasedonthesefacts.
Torts–Duncan(sp16)
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