LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS CHAPTER 9
Chapter 9: Torts: Introduction and Intentional Torts
THEORIES OF TORT LIABILITY
-Overview-
Tort liability is predicated on (1) people shouldn’t intentionally hurt each other and
people should exercise reasonable care and caution in the conduct of their a0airs.
Negligence: Failure to do that which an ordinary person would do or the doing of
some act that an ordinary, prudent person would not do. This is a lesser degree
than intentional tort.
Liability based on negligence needs fault.
Strict Liability: the doctrine under which a party may be required to respond in
tort damages, without regard to that party’s fault.
-Damages-
The purpose of tort litigation is to require a wrongdoer to compensate a victim for
the injury.
Compensatory damages is money the court imposes on a defendant as
compensation for the plainti0 because the defendant has injured the plainti0 by
breach of legal duty.
Punitive damages are damages by way of punishment that are allowed by the
court as the result of an injury caused by a wrong that is willful and malicious.
Punitive damages are awarded to punish defendants for committing intentional
torts or negligent behavior.
