THE SELF-HELP GUIDE TO THE LAW

Negligence and Personal Injury Law for Non-Lawyers

THE SELF-HELP GUIDE

TO THE LAW

Negligence and Personal Injury Law

for Non-Lawyers

J. D. Teller, Esq.

THE SELF-HELP GUIDE TO THE LAW

Negligence and Personal Injury Law for Non-Lawyers

J. D. Teller, Esq.

Copyright © 2014-16 by TellerBooks™. All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

including photocopying, recording, or copying to any storage and retrieval

system, without express written permission from the copyright holder.

2016 Edition

ISBN (13) (paperback): 978-1-68109-047-4

ISBN (10) (paperback): 1-68109-047-3

ISBN (13) (Kindle): 978-1-68109-048-1

ISBN (10) (Kindle): 1-68109-048-1

ISBN (13) (ePub): 978-1-68109-049-8

ISBN (10) (ePub): 1-68109-049-X

JuraLaw™

an imprint of TellerBooks™

TellerBooks.com/Time_Books

www.TellerBooks.com/JuraLaw

Portions of this book were previously published as Law School Survival Guide,

copyright © TellerBooks 2008-2016.

DISCLAIMER: Although this book is designed to provide rigorously researched

information, it is intended not as a definitive statement of the law, but rather, as a

concise and general overview that will help readers to understand basic legal

principles and find further information, if necessary. Because the law changes

rapidly through new statutes and innovative judicial decisions, law books, including

this one, may quickly become outdated. Furthermore, some decisions may be

ambiguous and subject to differing interpretations and other sources may come to

conclusions distinct from those presented herein. Nothing in this book forms an

attorney-client relationship or is intended to constitute legal advice, which should be

obtained through consultation with a qualified attorney.

Self-Help Guides to the Law™

Self-Help Guides to the Law™ explain the law in clear, concise

terms to a popular audience of non-lawyers. Summarizing the key

areas of the law with which readers are most likely to come into

contact, the Guides broadly outline the statutes and cases that govern

landlord-tenant relations, personal injury, contracts, family law,

criminal law and constitutional law and procedure.

With detailed references to sources for readers wishing to delve

deeper, the Guides are ideal for readers wishing to better understand

their legal rights and responsibilities, regardless of whether they

ultimately opt to hire a lawyer.

In addition to The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Contracts,

Landlord-Tenant Relations, Marriage, Divorce, Personal Injury,

Negligence, Constitutional Rights and Criminal Law for Non-Lawyers,

readers may acquire the following individual titles:

- The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Property Law and Landlord-

Tenant Relations for Non-Lawyers

- The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Contracts for Non-Lawyers

- The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Negligence and Personal

Injury Law for Non-Lawyers

- The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Know Your Constitutional

Rights

- The Self-Help Guide to the Law: Criminal Law and Procedure

for Non-Lawyers

About the Imprint

With a focus on international and comparative law, the JuraLaw™

imprint publishes monographs exploring public and private

international law and overviews of the laws of various nations.

Summary Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... 9

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO TORT LAW ...................... 15

CHAPTER 2. STRICT LIABILITY .............................................. 17

CHAPTER 3. INTENTIONAL TORTS ........................................ 21

CHAPTER 4. NEGLIGENCE ........................................................ 37

CHAPTER 5. THE DUTY OF CARE ............................................ 49

CHAPTER 6. PROVING BREACH .............................................. 57

CHAPTER 7. CAUSATION ........................................................... 63

CHAPTER 8. DAMAGES ............................................................... 69

CHAPTER 9. DEFENSES ............................................................... 73

APPENDICES .................................................................................. 79

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................. 13

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO TORT LAW ...................... 15

I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 15 II. DEVELOPMENT OF LIABILITY BASED ON FAULT ............................ 16

A. Traditional approach: the “strict liability rule.” ..................... 16 B. Later developments ................................................................ 16

CHAPTER 2. STRICT LIABILITY .............................................. 17

I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 17 A. Background ............................................................................ 17 B. Elements of a Prima Facie Case ........................................... 17

II. ANIMALS ....................................................................................... 17 A. Wild Animals ......................................................................... 17 B. Domestic Animals ................................................................. 17

III. ABNORMALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES ........................................ 18 A. Overview................................................................................ 18 B. Elements ................................................................................ 18

IV. LIMITATIONS (DEFENSES) ............................................................. 19 A. Superseding Cause ................................................................. 19 B. Unforeseeable Intervening Cause .......................................... 19 C. Contributory Negligence ....................................................... 20 D. Assumption of the Risk ......................................................... 20

CHAPTER 3. INTENTIONAL TORTS ........................................ 21

I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 21 A. Characteristics ........................................................................ 21 B. Elements of the Plaintiff’s Prima Facie Case ....................... 21

II. INTENTIONAL TORTS ..................................................................... 22 A. Introduction............................................................................ 22 B. Overview of Individual Intentional Torts .............................. 22 C. Transfer of Intent ................................................................... 29

III. PRIVILEGES (DEFENSES) ................................................................ 30 A. Introduction............................................................................ 30 B. Consensual Privilege: Consent .............................................. 30 C. Non-Consensual Privilege ..................................................... 32

CHAPTER 4. NEGLIGENCE ........................................................ 37

10 THE SELF-HELP GUIDE TO THE LAW

I. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................37 A. History....................................................................................37 B. Elements .................................................................................37

II. THE DUTY TO EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE ................................37 A. Introduction ............................................................................37 B. Unforeseeability .....................................................................37 C. Unreasonable Risks ................................................................38

III. THE STANDARD OF CARE ..............................................................40 A. The Standard Objective Test ..................................................40 B. An Amalgum Subjective/Objective Test ...............................41 C. The Standard for Professionals (Malpractice) .......................42

IV. CAUSES OF ACTION BASED ON NEGLIGENCE .................................44 A. Informed Consent ...................................................................44 B. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress ............................46

CHAPTER 5. THE DUTY OF CARE ............................................49

I. STATUTORY STANDARDS OF CARE ................................................49 A. Introduction ............................................................................49 B. Statutes Establishing Negligence Per Se ...............................49 C. Classes of Statutes ..................................................................49 D. The Applicability of a Statute ................................................50 E. Effects of Statutes Adopted as Standards of Care ..................51

II. DUTY TO RESCUE ..........................................................................52 A. The Common Law Approach .................................................52 B. Exceptions to the Common Law “No Duty to Rescue” Rule 53

III. PREMISES LIABILITY ......................................................................54 A. Distinction between Invitees, Licensees and Trespassers ......54 B. Distinction Merged ................................................................56

CHAPTER 6. PROVING BREACH ...............................................57

I. OVERVIEW ....................................................................................57 A. Introduction ............................................................................57 B. Circumstantial evidence .........................................................57

II. RES IPSA LOQUITUR ........................................................................59 A. Introduction ............................................................................59 B. The Three Approaches to Res Ipsa Loquitur .........................60 C. Group Res Ipsa Loquitur ........................................................60

III. SUMMARY .....................................................................................60 A. Proving Breach .......................................................................60

CHAPTER 7. CAUSATION............................................................63

I. CAUSE-IN-FACT.............................................................................63

TABLE OF CONTENTS 11

A. Sine Qua Non ......................................................................... 63 B. Proof of Causation ................................................................. 63 C. Concurrent Causes ................................................................. 64

II. PROXIMATE CAUSE ....................................................................... 64 A. Unforeseeable Consequences ................................................ 64 B. Intervening Acts and Superseding Causes ............................. 66 C. Rescue Doctrine ..................................................................... 67 D. Public Policy: the Dram Shop Acts ....................................... 68

CHAPTER 8. DAMAGES ............................................................... 69

I. DAMAGES FROM PERSONAL INJURIES AND MITIGATION ................ 69 A. Introduction............................................................................ 69 B. Personal Injuries .................................................................... 69 C. Collateral Source Rule ........................................................... 70 D. Mitigation of Damages .......................................................... 70

II. PUNITIVE DAMAGES ...................................................................... 70 A. Introduction............................................................................ 70 B. Due Process ........................................................................... 71

CHAPTER 9. DEFENSES ............................................................... 73

I. CONTRIBUTORY AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE ........................ 73 A. Introduction............................................................................ 73 B. Contributory Negligence ....................................................... 73 C. Comparative Negligence ....................................................... 74

II. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK ............................................................. 76 A. Express Assumption of the Risk ............................................ 76 B. Implied Assumption of the Risk ............................................ 76 C. The Different Kinds of Assumption of the Risk in Florida

and in Other States ................................................................ 77

APPENDICES .................................................................................. 79

THEMATIC INDEX ................................................................................ 81 TABLE OF CASES ................................................................................. 83 GLOSSARY ........................................................................................... 87

ABBREVIATIONS

A Grantee (for present estate/ future interest hypotheticals)

AGI Adjusted gross income

AP Adverse possession

B Buyer

C Constitution

CIF Cause-in-fact

Cl. Clause

CLEO State Chief Law Enforcement Officer

Court (cap.) United States Supreme Court

CP Court of Pleas (UK)

CR Contingent remainder

CSD Common Scheme of Development

CSI Compelling state interest

Ct. Court

Ct. App. Court of Appeals

Ct. Chan. Court of Chancery (England)

ED Emotional distress

EI Executory interest

Eng. England

ES Equitable Servitude

FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act

FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act

FQJ Federal question jurisdiction

FRAP Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure

FRCP Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

FRCrP Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure

FRE Federal Rules of Evidence

FS Fee simple absolute (fee simple)

FSCS Fee simple on condition subsequent

FSD Fee simple determinable

FS EL Fee simple on executory limitation

FT Fee tail

H.L. House of Lords (England)

JMOL Judgment as a matter of law

JNOV Judgment non obstante veredicto

JT Joint tenant/tenancy

K Knowledge (criminal law) or Contract (all other law)

K.B. King’s Bench (UK)

L Loss in value

L1 First landlord

Lat. Latin

LE Life estate

14 THE SELF-HELP GUIDE TO THE LAW

LED Life estate determinable

LLC Limited liability company

LLP Limited liability partnership

LRM Least restrictive means

MPC Model Penal Code

MSAJ Motion to set aside the judgment

N.B. Nota bene

O Original owner, or grantor (in present estates and future

interests)

P Purpose or purchaser

PJ Personal jurisdiction

PJI Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction

Q.B. Queen’s Bench (UK)

R Recklessness

RAP Rule against perpetuities

RC Real Covenant

Restatement Restatement (of Contracts, Torts, Judgments, etc.)

RFRA Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993

RLUIPA Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

RPP Reasonable prudent person

Rule Federal Rule of Evidence or Federal Rule of Civil Procedure

§ Section

S Sublessee or seller

S.Ct. Supreme Court or U.S. Supreme Court Reporter

SJ Summary judgment

SMJ Subject matter jurisdiction

SP Specific performance

T1 First tenant

TE Tenant/tenancy by the entireties

UCC Uniform Commercial Code

US United States of America or United States Reports (compilation

of U.S. Supreme Court opinions)

USC United States Code

VR Vested remainder

VR SD Vested remainder subject to divestment

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO TORT LAW

I. INTRODUCTION

Tort law is sometimes referred to as “personal injury law” or “the

law of negligence,” though tort law in fact encompasses much more

than just negligence.

A tort is a civil wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which

the law provides a remedy. Seventy to eighty percent of torts fall under

the classification of “negligence torts,” a group of torts in which the

civil wrong was not intentional.1 The other torts fall into a smaller

group known as “intentional torts,” where the requisite mens rea is

intent.

While the criminal law seeks as its principle objective the

punishment of the offender, in the civil law, of which the tort law is

one branch, restitution to the victim is the primary objective. In the

civil law, retribution also plays a limited role, since courts will at times

award punitive damages, which are based on a theory of retribution.

The restitution in the tort law aims to return innocent parties back to

their original position through compensation. This is done through

awarding them money damages, which the tortfeasor is required to

pay. In the criminal law, in contrast, the criminal pays his debt to

society through paying fines to the government or through serving

prison sentences.

Among the other purposes of the tort system are as follow:

- To discourage negligence and civil wrongs;

- To protect innocent victims; and

- To avoid private revenge.

1. Sources

The tort law is derived from the common law. However, in some

states, the tort law is, to a certain extent, based on statute. In other

states, such as California, it has been largely codified.

1 The majority of these torts are automobile-related.

16 THE SELF-HELP GUIDE TO THE LAW

II. DEVELOPMENT OF LIABILITY BASED ON FAULT

A. Traditional approach: the “strict liability rule.”

There was a time when fault was not even considered for the

purpose of ascertaining liability. Determining liability was only about

asking whether the defendant cause the injury. If so, the defendant was

liable; if not, he was not liable. Intent, recklessness and negligence

were not a part of the analysis.

B. Later developments

Later, the idea of fault began to enter the system. Under the earliest

fault rule, the defendant was liable, unless he was able to prove that he

was utterly without fault. See Weaver v. Ward (K.B. 1616).

Eventually, the common law developed the notion that the burden

was on the plaintiff to prove fault (intent for intentional torts,

recklessness or intent for intentional infliction of emotional distress,

breach of duty for negligence), not on the defendant to prove that he

acted with care. See, e.g., Brown v. Kendall (Mass. 1850).

There is no fault when injury is caused by sudden, unforeseeable

illness. See Cohen v. Petty (D.C. Ct. App. 1933). Nevertheless, the

traditional common law rule of strict liability still applies to some

situations. See Spano v. Perini (N.Y. 1969).