Reading: Dimensions of Tort Liability

Dimensions of Tort Liability

Tort liability has many dimensions. There are four general categories: Fault, type of injury, types of damages, and excuses. Fault contains strict liability, gross negligence (which includes negligence), and intentional. There are two types of injury: to the person and to the property. To the person can include wrongful death, assault and battery, mental distress (including privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and libel and slander), and false imprisonment. Injury to property includes nuisance (both public and private), trespass, fraud (misrepresentation), product disparagement, and unfair competition. Types of Damages contains punitive and compensatory (which includes expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering). Excuses includes negligence of plaintiff and assumption of risk.

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