


I punch Joe in the face?
I start class by telling everyone that Joe drowns puppies?
I leave all of my teaching stuff in the doorway to the classroom, and Joe trips over them and breaks his glasses?


Negligence occurs when anyone carelessly injures a person or a person’s property and should compensate the victim for that injury

Negligence has three characteristics:
◦ 1. the action is unintentional
◦ 2. the injury is unplanned
◦ 3. injury results.

3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
Reasonable person
Duty of Care
Standard of Care
Foreseeability
Causation [cause-in-fact / remoteness of damage]




Reasonable person: as an “ordinary adult” without any disabilities.
◦ Thoughtful, never making snap judgements, etc..
Although this person does not actually exist, the reasonable person is thought to be careful and considerate.
The definition of a reasonable person may also depend on location.




to not harm others or their property.
Duty of care can be highly specific or apply more generally to the public.
◦ Example: each motorist owes everyone a duty of care while driving.
If the court decides the defendant did not meet his or her duty of care, the defendant can be found in “breach of


Beyond duty of care, victim must show that the wrongdoer did not show a standard of
care that would be met by a reasonable person
◦ For example: a child can’t be expected to forsee the risk in the same way an adult can
◦ OR
◦ A professional may be required to exercise even greater care than a reasonable person
◦ It is higher when it involves children




Strict liability : higher for certain situations [i.e., person who has explosive’s and injures a passer by]
Occupier’s liability : cannot leave things lying around that can harm people [i.e., ice on driveway]
Vicarious liability : person in authority over another [i.e., teachers responsible for negligent act of students]



Foreseeability: a person’s ability to anticipate the specific result of an action.
If a court decides that a reasonable person should have been able to predict, or
foresee, the injury created, the defendant can be found liable.



Causation: occurs when the defendant was in breach and the defendant’s actions directly led to the plaintiff’s injuries or loss.
If it is not straightforward, use test:
◦ But-for test: would the injury have taken place but for the defendant’s negligence
◦ For example: person driving friends car, the brakes are bad so ends up hitting pedestrian –both driver and friend will be held liable.



Must prove what damages occurred
Defendant is not liable for all damages, they use foreseeability test: 3 parts:
◦ 1. remoteness of damages rule : wrongdoer must be able to foresee the kind of injury victim could suffer, if can’t, it is too remote for compensation
◦ 2. thin-skulled plaintiff rule : wrongdoer takes victim as he/she finds him/her
◦ 3. intervening cause rule : if doctor fixes broken leg and damages it permanently, person who breaks it pays for his share, rest by the doctor


There are four common defences to negligence:
3.
4.
1.
2.
Contributory negligence
Voluntary assumption of risk
Inevitable accident
Participation in illegal activities
**The best possible defence to negligence is to argue that no negligent action occurred at all.




Contributory negligence occurs when the alleged victim created at least part of the harm that he or she ended up suffering.
This defence is often used in lawsuits involving motor vehicle accidents.
◦ For example, if one driver was speeding and another ran a stop sign, both drivers are negligent.
Courts use actual percentages to determine responsibility.



If person is in a situation they should be aware of the risk; knowingly accepting factors that may cause harm or injury.
◦ Common examples include contact sports, extreme sports, and stunts.
For many high-risk activities, a waiver is required to minimize potential lawsuits.
◦ A waiver is a document that releases or excuses a party from liability if an accident or injury occurs
(e.g. a hockey league makes players sign a waiver).




Also referred to as “act of God,”
Use to argue that although an accident occurred, it was not anyone’s fault.
◦ Example: If an accident occurs after a vehicle struck by lightning, it is difficult to assign blame or argue that the resulting harm was foreseeable.
Inevitable accident means that the harm could not have been reasonably prevented.


Participation in illegal activities are not eligible for compensation
◦ For example, if a store owner left a slippery puddle and a thief who breaks in at night ends up injuring himself.