Chapter 3 – Tort Law Business Law 60 minutes 

High School (9­12)  NBEA Business Law Standards: 

● Distinguish between a tort and a crime. ● Differentiate between and give examples of negligence and intentional torts. ● Describe the penalties available in criminal law and the remedies available in tort law. 

 Learning Objectives: Students will be able to…  

● Compare and contrast characteristics of a tort and a crime. ● Explain a person’s rights and duties in relation to tort law. ● Describe the remedies available in tort law.  ● Classify the main intentional torts against people and property.  

Resources: ● Seinfeld Clip ­  Seinfeld ­ Kramer Cafe Latte’s (Jackie Chiles) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV­M69LLn5s ● Quick Write paper (½ sheet) ● Student Guide ● PowerPoint 3.1  

 Lesson: 

 1. Hook  

o Show Seinfeld clip to students at the beginning of class to hook them into the content of the chapter (4 minutes) 

o Ask students questions about the video/similar lawsuits they may have heard of alluding to the Liebeck v. McDonald’s case. 

 2. Quick Write: Provide students with a prompt for a quick write. (5­10 minutes) 

o “A 79­year­old woman bought a cup of coffee from the drive thru window at McDonalds. She put the cup between her knees and tried to open the lid at add cream and sugar. The coffee spilled and caused third degree burns to over 6% of her body. She spent 8 days in the hospital, had to undergo skin graft operations, and proceeded to seek medical treatment for two years after the incident.” 

▪ Has someone done something wrong?  ▪ What was a wrongdoing?  ▪ Has someone been harmed?  ▪ Should the victim be compensated? 

 

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3. Last chapter you learned about crimes. Can someone tell me an important component of a crime? Look for students to say something about “the public good.”   

4. Introduce Torts to the students and provide Section 3.1 guide. Ask if anyone knows what a tort is.  

a. Tort law is based on the rights of the individual  b. One person interfering with rights of another, tort is involved  

i. ask what are rights they don’t want another to interfere with  c. Tort ­ not a pastry  

i. derived from twisted or wrong  ii. wrong can be intentional or unintentional  iii. person has rights to seek compensation for injuries or damage  iv. law of torts seek to restore injured person to position he or she was in 

before the tort was committed “made whole” 1. sue for inability to hospital charges, work, book scholarship, etc.  

 5. Begin Lecture with PowerPoint 3.1 – explain each term and provide examples so 

students can grasp concepts  o Students can complete the guide along with the lecture  o Checks for Understanding built in the PPT (examples, scenarios) 

 6. At the completion of the lecture and PowerPoint, debrief with the students and ask 

students what questions they have. Provide some follow up questions if necessary.                    

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Chapter 3 – Negligence and Strict Liability Business Law 60 minutes 

High School (9­12)  NBEA Business Law Standards: 

● Differentiate between and give examples of negligence and intentional torts. ● Explain the concepts of the reasonable person test and proximate cause. ● Explain the concept of strict liability and describe circumstances under which it is 

imposed.   Learning Objectives: Students will be able to... 

● Define and describe the elements of negligence.  ● Describe when the reasonable person test and foreseeability test are used in civil cases.  ● Explain the concept of strict liability.  ● Discuss and develop categories and organize the terms from the chapter into categories. 

 Resources: 

● PowerPoint 3.2 ● Word Sort Sheet of Terms  ● Work Sort Headings (if needed) ● Word Sort Instructions  ● Access to a computer (mindmeister.com) or poster paper  

 Lesson Plan:   

1. Hook. Pose an example of a tort for students to consider.  ● A student crosses the street on the first day of school in the crosswalk. 

Meanwhile, a driver does not see the person walking and turns right at the light into the person. The driver hits the student with his car and the student winds up with a broken collarbone.  

i. Has someone done something wrong?  ii. What was a wrongdoing?  iii. Has someone been harmed?  iv. Should the victim be compensated? v. Ask – What actions can the student take, if any.  

● Students will revisit this scenario throughout the lesson.   

2. Activate students’ knowledge by recalling what was discussed in the previous lesson ● Ask students to recall the difference between a tort and a crime by asking how 

they would classify the previous example.  ● Review the objectives from previous lesson – resolve concerns, answer questions.   

 3.  Ask students what Negligence means and provide an example. 

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● ask why an act of carelessness might result in legal action  ● discuss types of carelessness they have witnessed that could cause harm to a 

person or property  

4. Begin PowerPoint –  ● Revisit the example throughout the lesson to allow the terms to connect to a real 

world example  

5. Word Sort. Provide students a sheet of terms from the chapter and place in groups of 2 or 3. Their goal is to organize the terms into categories that they create on their own.  

 ● **Differentiation: If students are struggling to develop their own categories, you 

can provide additional terms that can be used as the categories to move students toward the goal of sorting the terms into meaningful groupings. If students need an extra push, provide blank strips of paper to incorporate into the sort to see if students can create more terms that would fit in the categories they created, or leave a few terms out and challenge students to complete the lists by coming up with the missing terms. 

  6. When groups have completed the word sort, ask groups to share with the class (poster or 

mindmeister). Nudge students to provide explanation for their choice of categories when presenting.  

 7. Have students submit a copy of their word sort for formative assessment.   

  

 

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Chapter 3 ­ Tort Law  Business Law 

2 classes 90 minutes each High School (9­12) 

 NBEA Business Law Standards: 

● Differentiate between and give examples of negligence and intentional torts.  ● Describe the penalties available in criminal law and the remedies available in tort law. ● Analyze specific cases by stating the facts, finding the legal questions, applying the 

laws, and resolving the issues.  Learning Objectives: Students will be able to… 

● Analyze a famous case in tort law and apply what they have learned about tort law to how the media portrays the law.  

● Reflect upon earlier responses and formulate an opinion about civil lawsuits ● Discuss with their peers actions that have been taken to reduce frivolous lawsuits and 

the implications these actions have on the parties involved.    Resources: 

● Hot Coffee Documentary ● Hot Coffee Worksheet ● Quick Write  

 Lesson:  

1. Explain to students the purpose of the lesson (objectives) and provide them with the Hot Coffee Worksheet.  

a. Ask them to complete the front page during the video.  

2. Play Hot Coffee Documentary (through part two ­ caps on damages)  a. Monitor that students are staying attentive and completing the worksheet 

provided.   

3. When the movie is complete, allow students time to review their responses. Pass back students’ Quick Writes while they are reviewing their notes on the case.  

 4. Think, Pair, Share. Have students revisit their quick write and then complete the back 

side of the Hot Coffee Worksheet. After students have been given time to formulate an opinion, have students pair up and discuss these questions with a partner.  

5. Bring the class back to a whole group discussion by selecting student groups to offer up their opinions, evolution of opinion from before and after viewing Hot Coffee, etc. 

Try to have students with differing opinions share their thoughts as well to develop both sides.   

  6. Collect Worksheet for a completion grade and to check to see what questions students 

still have after all of the content has been presented.    

7. Transition to telling the class that we have formally learned terms about tort law, and seen some cases that were quite popular in the media. This will be the basis of their assessment for this chapter.  

  8. Introduce the Liebeck Case Student Assessment to the class.  

  9. Answer any questions students have.   

 10. Allow work time for students to begin their project. Monitor their progress to be sure 

they stay on task.   

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3 . 1

Tort Law

What is a tort?

A tort is a private wrong committed by one person against another

Elements of a Tort

1. Possession of certain rights by an innocent party

2. A violation of those rights by the tortfeasor

3. A resulting injury that somehow hurts the person whose rights were violated

Tortfeasor Victim

Commits the tort

Defendant in lawsuit

Injured person

Plaintiff in lawsuit

Innocent party

Who’s Who?

Criminal Law vs. Tort Law

A Crime is a wrong committed against society

A Tort is a wrong committed against a particular person or property

Can an act be both?

Penalties

The purpose of criminal law is to PUNISH OFFENDERS

The purpose of tort law is to COMPENSATE VICTIM

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Remedies

Remedy is the legal means of enforcing a right or correcting a wrong

In tort cases, remedies usually consist of the tortfeasor paying an amount of money (DAMAGES) to injured party

Types of remedies

Damages can be awarded for:

Pain and suffering

Paying medical expenses

Replacing or repairing property

Lost wages

Intentional Torts against Persons

Actions that deliberately hurt, embarrass or scare people

Assault

Battery

False imprisonment

Defamation

Invasion of privacy

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Trespass

Assault and Battery

Assault occurs as soon as you are afraid of immediate harm to your body

A battery is unlawful, unwanted touching Committed even if the physical contact is not harmful*

Can also be touching something closely associated with person’s body

Assault or Battery? False Imprisonment

If someone interferes with your right to move around freely

Law enforcement can hold someone in a reasonable way for a reasonable time

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False Imprisonment Defamation

When someone lies about another person in a way the hurts the innocent person’s reputation

Libel – lies about a person in written, printed or recorded form

Slander – verbal or spoken lies

*Public figures are an exception

Malice must be involved

Defamation

Slander or Libel?

Invasion of Privacy

Interfering with a person’s right to be left alone

Right to be free from unwanted publicity

People must stay out of your private matters

Confidential records cannot be used or discussed outside of business or organization

Cannot use likenesses or name without permission

Invasion of Privacy Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

When someone causes great emotional or mental distress to another even when no intent to cause physical harm

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“Outrageous!” Intentional Torts against Property

Some intentional torts are actions that affect property

Trespass

Conversion

Nuisance

Disparagement

Trespass

Interfering with someone’s real property

Real property is land and things built on land

Can include things under the property such as mineral or oil

Trespass

Conversion

Interfering with a person’s right to personal property

You lend out your personal property and someone doesn’t return it, interfering with your right to ownership

Your property is converted to his/her

Conversion

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Nuisance

Anything that interferes with the enjoyment of property Loud music

Foul odors

Private nuisance – affects one person/household

Public nuisance – affects a lot of people

Nuisance

Disparagement

Lies about objects

Quality of ownership

Someone claims something is faulty or of poor quality to interfere with a sale

You must prove that you actually lost money as a result of the lie

Disparagement

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Negligence and Liability

Negligence

The tort that results when one person carelessly injures another.

Being less careful that a REASONABLE PERSON would be in the same situation

Case Study Elements of Negligence

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care

2. The defendant breached the duty by being careless

3. The defendant’s carelessness was the proximate cause of the harm

4. The plaintiff was actually hurt by the defendant’s carelessness

1. Duty of Care

The obligation to use a reasonable standard of care to prevent injury to others

2. Breach of Duty

When one person fails to use reasonable care in dealing with another person

How careful do you have to be?

Reasonable Person Test: an objective test (it does not change because the injured party changes) that evaluates whether a person was as careful as a reasonable person would be in the same situation

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3. Proximate Cause

When the link between the negligent conduct and the injury is strong enough to be recognized by law

Courts use a foreseeability test to determine proximate cause

Foreseeability test – Was the injury to the victim foreseeable at the time of the negligent conduct?

If the injury was foreseeable at the time of the negligent conduct, then proximate cause exists

4. Actual Harm

If the victim was not actually harmed, there can be no negligence

Examples of Actual Harm Injury

Property destroyed

Lose a lot of money

Defenses to Negligence

Eliminate one of the 4 Elements of Negligence

Contributory Negligence

Comparative Negligence

Assumption of Risk

Contributory Negligence

If the defendant can prove that plaintiff did something to help cause the harm

Comparative Negligence

Carelessness of the defendant is compared to the carelessness of the plaintiff

Damages are reduced by the percentage of carelessness

50% Rule

Assumption of Risk

Plaintiff knew of the risk involved and still took a chance

Examples Skydiving

Bungee Jumping

Windsurfing

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Strict Liability

(Absolute Liability)

A legal doctrine that says that some activities are so dangerous that liability will always follow any injury that results from those activities

• Using explosives

• Keeping wild animals

Strict Liability

Product Liability: When people are injured by defective products

Manufacturer and Seller are liable

Limits to product Liability: If seller does not usually sell that product, they are not held liable

Survival Statutes and Wrongful Death Statutes

Today the family of a plaintiff that dies during a lawsuit or whose death is the result of an injury, can continue with the lawsuit

Chater 3 – Tort Law

Quick Write  A 79­year­old woman bought a cup of coffee from the drive thru window at McDonalds. She put the cup between her knees and tried to open the lid to add cream and sugar. The coffee spilled and caused third degree burns to over 16% of her body. She spent 8 days in the hospital, had to undergo skin graft operations, and proceeded to seek medical treatment for two years after the incident.  

1. Has someone done something wrong? Why or why not?   

2. What was the wrongdoing?    

3. Has someone been harmed?    

4. Should the victim be compensated? Explain.  

Quick Write  A 79­year­old woman bought a cup of coffee from the drive thru window at McDonalds. She put the cup between her knees and tried to open the lid to add cream and sugar. The coffee spilled and caused third degree burns to over 16% of her body. She spent 8 days in the hospital, had to undergo skin graft operations, and proceeded to seek medical treatment for two years after the incident.  

1. Has someone done something wrong? Why or why not?   

2. What was the wrongdoing?    

3. Has someone been harmed?    

4. Should the victim be compensated? Explain.  

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Chapter 3 Business Law Name: ____________________________ 

 

Intentional Torts  Type of Tort  Definition  Example/Picture 

Assault  

     

Battery  

     

False Imprisonment    

     

Defamation    

     

Invasion of Privacy   

     

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress 

     

Trespass   

     

Conversion   

     

Nuisance    

     

Disparagement   

     

 

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Chapter 3 Business Law Name: ____________________________ 

 Negligence:   Elements of Negligence 

1.    

2.   a. Reasonable Person Test ­  

 3.    

a. Foreseeability Test ­   

4.    Defenses to Negligence  

1.    

2.    

3.     Strict Liability:  

Product Liability:    Survival and Wrongful Death Statutes:       

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Names: ____________________________  

 Word Sort  

 In this activity, you will find several terms discussed in class and in the chapter. Your goal is to discuss  and develop categories and organize the terms provided into your categories.   

1. Cut out the terms from the given sheet. 2. Discuss with others common features among these terms. 3. Develop categories for the given terms.  4. Recreate your sort onto a poster or word web to present.  5. Defend your reasoning! – Be prepared to answer why you sorted your terms this way. 

 Evaluation criteria:  

10 points  Use of all the terms (½ point for each) 5 points  Creation of categories ­ relevant and meaningful  5 points  Justification ­ explain how you organized your terms when you present   20 points  

     Names: ______________________________   

Word Sort   In this activity, you will find several terms discussed in class and in the chapter. Your goal is to discuss  and develop categories and organize the terms provided into your categories.   

1. Cut out the terms from the given sheet. 2. Discuss with others common features among these terms. 3. Develop categories for the given terms.  4. Recreate your sort onto a poster or word web to present.  5. Defend your reasoning! – Be prepared to answer why you sorted your terms this way. 

 Evaluation criteria:  

10 points  Use of all the terms (½ point for each) 5 points  Creation of categories ­ relevant and meaningful  5 points  Justification ­ explain how you organized your terms when you present   20 points  

 

Actual Harm Disparagement

Assault Duty of Care

Assumption of Risk Intentional Infliction

of Emotional Distress

Battery Invasion of Privacy

Breach of Duty Nuisance

Comparative Negligence

Product Liability

Contributory Negligence

Proximate Cause

Conversion Trespass

 

Against Persons Intentional Torts

Against Property Negligence

Defenses Strict Liability

Elements Tort Law

Chapter 3 Word Sort

Strict Liability Torts

Against Persons Against Property Elements Defenses Product Liability

Assault Trespass Duty of Care Contributory Negligence

Battery Conversion Breach of Duty Comparative Negligence

False Imprisonment Nuisance Proximate Cause Assumption of Risk

Defamation Disparagement Actual Harm

Invasion of Privacy

Intentional Infliction of Emotional

Distress

Tort Law

Intentional Torts Negligence Torts

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Tort Law Final Project: You are a court reporter from that case of Liebeck v. McDonald’s. Your job as the court reporter is to transcribe the case. You may summarize the case, or actually quote what has been said.   Structure your report under four separate headings ­ identify the parties, premise of the case, restate the case, closing remarks.    

1. Identify the Parties Involved  (~3­5 sentences).  ❏ Who is the plaintiff? ❏ Who is the defendant? ❏ When did this take place? 

  

2. Premise of the Case  (~3 ­ 5 sentences) ❏ Is this case a tort or a crime? Prove that you know the difference between the two.   ❏ Explain why Ms. Liebeck is eligible to raise this accusation in the court of law.  

  

3. Restate the Case (~2 paragraphs)  Plaintiff:  

❏ Classify the type of tort that this case aligns with.  ❏ Provide and describe all elements of a tort and apply them to the case.  ❏ Describe how all of the elements of negligence were present in this case, 

including the two tests we discussed.  Defense: 

❏ Can McDonald’s make any defenses in this case? Describe all defenses and if it is possible to claim them.  

  

4. Closing Remarks (1 paragraph) ❏ Based on the chapter, what remedies are available to Ms Liebeck in this case? 

What remedies did she receive?  ❏ Given the claims you have made, what is your personal opinion of the ‘Hot 

Coffee’ case. Provide justification as to why you believe this and determine if the settlement was just.  

Tort Law Final Project Grading Critera PointsEarned

PossiblePoints

Identify the Plaintiff 1

Identify the Defendant 1

Setting of the case 2

Distinguish if the case is a tort or a crime 1

What is the difference between a tort and a crime 1

Explain how this case is possible 2

Classify the Tort 1

Describe the elements of a tort and apply them to the case 3

4

Describe two tests in negligence and apply them to the case 2

Describe the defenses to negligence 3

Determine if each defense can be used 3

State remedies available and actually awarded in the case 2

Provide your opinion about the case and justify your reasons 4

Total 30

Name: _________________________

Comments/FeedbackIdentify the Parties Involved

Premise of the Case

Restate the Case

Describe the elements of negligence and apply them to the case

Closing Remarks