Exam 7: Introduction to Tort Law

Making fun of a public figure in the U.S. is legally risky, because the First Amendment offers little protection for those who would deliberately inflict emotional distress on Facebook or other social media.

The law of negligence requires us to avoid doing anything that might cause harm to others, no matter how unforeseeable the harm might be. This way, we are all protected from harm at the hands of others.

Merv Grazinski, driving his Winnebago, put it on cruise control to go make coffee. The Winnebago went off the road, turned over several times, and left Grazinski paralyzed from the waist down. He brings a product liability lawsuit against Winnebago. Which of the following is the best possible defense for Winnebago to use at trial?

If a plaintiff recovers $1 million as compensatory damages, she doesn't need to pay tax on the award.

Which of the following is an example of a battery?

Explain in brief the various dimensions of tort.

George has a car accident with Lijuan in New Mexico, where both of them reside. New Mexico is a comparative negligence jurisdiction. George is 60% at fault, and Lijuan is 40% at fault, according to the jury. His damages amount to $100,000, according to the jury's calculations. What, if anything, will he recover?

U.S. law imposes no obligation to rescue anyone in a situation we did not have a hand in creating.

In Katko v. Briney, the plaintiff was injured by a spring gun while trespassing on the defendant's property. The court held that it was a(n) _____.

Compensatory damages include what kinds of things?