Learners in this course explore the methods and policies for allocating losses from harm to one's person, property, relations, medical malpractice, misrepresentation, defamation, and economic and other interests. Learners examine the three main theories of tort liability: intent, product liability, negligence, and analyze the theoretical and practical aspects of tort liability. Learners in this course extend their learning to include a study on substantive principles of tort claims and their defenses (Course may be substituted for PALE 221).
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites
(LIBR 150 may be taken concurrently).
Course Outcomes
After successfully completing the course, the learner will be able to:
- Draft a memorandum to a supervising attorney or court applying the elements of a cause of action to a real-life scenario.
- Research various elements of any cause of action under state or federal law, using statutory and/or case law.
- Draft complaints letters, answers, and other pleadings and documents relevant to torts and civil litigation.
- Apply the rules on special duties owed, including landowners, common carriers, innkeepers, etc., to hypothetical fact patterns.
- In product liability cases, apply the rules of strict and product liability, including failure to warn, mis-manufacture, and mix design.
- Evaluate a situation and draw and defamation action that can be successfully brought in a hypothetical fact pattern.
- Apply the various elements for causes of action in fraud, malicious prosecution, privacy invasion, and commerce interference to hypothetical fact patterns.