Torts
Civil Wrongs
Tort
• When someone commits a wrong in civil
law
Torts
• The harmed individual is known as the
plaintiff
Torts
• The harmed individual is known as the
plaintiff
• The plaintiff wishes to seek a judgment against
the defendant (the wrongdoer)
Torts
• The harmed individual is known as the
plaintiff
• The plaintiff wishes to seek a judgment against
the defendant (the wrongdoer)
• If found guilty, the defendant must pay
damages (there is no jail time)
Two Rules govern Tort Law
• 1) Who is responsible, liable?
Two Rules govern Tort Law
• 1) Who is responsible, liable?
• 2) How much should be paid?
In a tort, 1 of 2 things has
happened
In a tort, 1 of 2 things has
happened
• 1) a person has caused injury to another
person, and/or their property
In a tort, 1 of 2 things has
happened
• 1) a person has caused injury to another
person, and/or their property
• They seek a remedy
In a tort, 1 of 2 things has
happened
• 1) a person has caused injury to another
person, and/or their property
• They seek a remedy
• A person has failed to exercise reasonable
care
In a tort, 1 of 2 things has
happened
• 1) a person has caused injury to another
person, and/or their property
• They seek a remedy
• A person has failed to exercise reasonable
care
• They seek legal liability
Tort law provides a legal process
for people to recover damages
from wrongdoers
Tort law provides a legal process
for people to recover damages
from wrongdoers
• Generally the two sides will meet and work
out a settlement
Tort law provides a legal process
for people to recover damages
from wrongdoers
• Generally the two sides will meet and work
out a settlement
• IF a settlement cannot be reached, then a
person may decide to sue
Tort law provides a legal process
for people to recover damages
from wrongdoers
• Generally the two sides will meet and work
out a settlement
• IF a settlement cannot be reached, then a
person may decide to sue
• 90% of tort cases end in a settlement
Types of Torts
• Intentional Wrong – when a person acts
with the intent of injuring a person/property
Types of Torts
• Intentional Wrong – when a person acts
with the intent of injuring a person/property
• Joe gets angry and punches the window of
Julia’s car, breaking it
Types of Torts
• Negligence – person fails to use reasonable
care, and causes harm
Types of Torts
• Negligence – person fails to use reasonable
care, and causes harm
• Alison is texting while drinving, and hits a
pedestrian
Types of Torts
• Strict Liability – person engaged in an
activity so dangerous that there is serious
risk of harm even if the person acts with the
utmost care
Types of Torts
• Strict Liability – person engaged in an
activity so dangerous that there is serious
risk of harm even if the person acts with the
utmost care
• Brian is demolishing his house when Clarissa
walks by and is struck in the head with a brick
from the explosion