The three main causes of action discussed in this course are strict liability, product liability and defamation. The class will also learn about its related torts including libel, slander and invasion of privacy.
Strict liability is an area of law where the defendant is held accountable even if it isn’t their fault. There are three types of activities that fall under strict liability: ownership or possession of dangerous animals, operation of an abnormally dangerous activity and the manufacturing, distributing and selling of products.
A products liability case is filed when a product sold, distributed or manufactured by the defendant has injured the plaintiff. In order to win this kind of case, the plaintiff must show that the product was in a defective condition and unreasonably dangerous.
Defamation is when one person makes a false written or oral statement about another person. A written statement is libel; an oral statement is slander. Proof of a defamatory statement about the plaintiff, which was published or stated publicly to others and harmed the plaintiff, must be shown in libel/slander cases.
The invasion of privacy tort comprises four different types of torts: intrusion into the plaintiff's seclusion, appropriation of the plaintiff's name or likeness in order to make money without the plaintiff's permission, public disclosure of private facts about the plaintiff and portrayal of the victim in a false or negative light.