Back to the book page

To quickly search for key terms, use your browser's 'Find' function, found in the 'Edit' menu.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Negligence

§1-1:00     Negligence In General

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Duty

§1:22    Breach

§1:23    Causation

§1:24    Damage

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Duty

§1:32    Breach

§1:33    Causation

§1:33a     Negligence Need Not Be Sole Cause

§1:33b     Intervening/Superceding Cause

§1:33c     Reasonably Foreseeable Damage

§1:34    Damage

§1:34a     Emotional Distress

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§1:80    Form Complaints

§1-2:00     Legal Malpractice

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Duty

§2:22    Breach

§2:23    Causation

§2:24    Damage

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Duty

§2:31a     Duties to Clients

§2:31b     Existence of Attorney-Client Relationship

§2:31c     Reasonable Research

§2:31d     Duties to Third Parties

§2:32    Breach

§2:32a     Rules of Professional Conduct

§2:32b     Negligent Advice/Failure to Advise

§2:33    Causation

§2:34    Damage

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:51    When “Actual Injury” Occurs

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§2:80    Form Complaints

§1-3:00     Medical Malpractice

§3:10    Definition

§3:11    Medical Malpractice

§3:12    Health Care Provider

§3:13    Professional Negligence

§3:20    Elements

§3:21    Duty/Standard of Care

§3:21a     Duty of Physician

§3:21b     Duty of Hospital

§3:21c     Duty of Nurse

§3:22    Breach

§3:23    Causation

§3:24    Damages

§3:30    Authorities

§3:31    Duty

§3:31a     Duty in Rendering of Treatment

§3:31b     Duty to Inform

§3:31c     Duties to Third Parties

§3:31d     “Captain of the Ship” Doctrine

§3:31e     Duration of Medical Provider’s Duty

§3:32    Standard of Care

§3:33    Breach

§3:33a     Battery

§3:33b     Res Ipsa Loquitor

§3:34    Causation and Damages

§3:34a     Causation Re: Duty to Inform

§3:40    Remedies

§3:50    Statute of Limitations

§3:60    Affirmative Defenses

§3:70    Related Causes of Action

§3:80    Form Complaint

§1-4:00     Dental Malpractice

§4:10    Definition

§4:20    Elements

§4:21    Duty

§4:22    Breach

§4:23    Causation

§4:24    Damage

§4:30    Authorities

§4:31    Duty

§4:32    Breach

§4:32a     Failure to Inform Patient

§4:32b     Negligent Treatment

§4:32c     Emergencies

§4:32d     Expert Testimony

§4:33    Causation and Damage

§4:40    Remedies

§4:50    Statute of Limitations

§4:60    Affirmative Defenses

§4:70    Related Causes of Action

§4:80    Form Complaints

§1-5:00     Psychotherapist Malpractice

§5:10    Definition

§5:20    Elements

§5:21    Duty

§5:22    Breach

§5:23    Causation

§5:24    Damages

§5:30    Authorities

§5:31    Duty and Breach

§5:31a     Therapist-Patient Sex

§5:31b     Suicide

§5:31c     Duty to Warn Third Parties

§5:31d     Duty to Third Persons

§5:32    Causation

§5:40    Remedies

§5:50    Statute of Limitations

§5:51    Notice of Intent to Sue

§5:52    Special Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse

§5:60    Affirmative Defenses

§5:70    Related Causes of Action

§5:80    Form Complaints

§1-6:00     Motor Vehicle Negligence

§6:10    Definition

§6:20    Elements

§6:21    Foreseeability (Little Duty)

§6:22    Duty

§6:23    Breach

§6:24    Causation

§6:25    Damages

§6:30    Authorities

§6:31    Foreseeability (Little Duty)

§6:32    Duty

§6:32a     Generally

§6:32b     Minors

§6:32c     Intersections

§6:32d     Vehicle Maintenance

§6:32e     Entrustment

§6:33    Breach

§6:33a     Negligence Per Se

§6:34    Causation

§6:40    Remedies

§6:50    Statute of Limitations

§6:60    Affirmative Defenses

§6:70    Related Causes of Action

§6:80    Form Complaints

§1-7:00     Negligent Entrustment

§7:10    Definition

§7:20    Elements

§7:21    Duty

§7:22    Breach

§7:23    Causation and Damage

§7:30    Authorities

§7:31    Duty and Breach

§7:31a     Firearms

§7:31b     Automobiles

§7:32    Causation and Damage

§7:40    Remedies

§7:50    Statute of Limitations

§7:60    Affirmative Defenses

§7:70    Related Causes of Action

§1-8:00     Common Carrier Negligence

§8:10    Definition

§8:20    Elements

§8:21    Common Carrier

§8:22    Duty

§8:23    Breach

§8:24    Causation and Damage

§8:30    Authorities

§8:31    Common Carrier

§8:32    Duty and Breach

§8:32a     Duties to Passengers

§8:32b     Who Qualifies as a “Passenger”?

§8:32c     Delegation of Duty

§8:32d     Breach

§8:33    Causation and Damage

§8:33a     Res Ipsa Loquitur

§8:40    Remedies

§8:50    Statute of Limitations

§8:60    Affirmative Defenses

§8:70    Related Causes of Action

§8:80    Form Complaints

§1-9:00     Good Samaritan Liability

§9:10    Definition

§9:20    Elements

§9:21    Good Samaritan

§9:22    Duty

§9:23    Breach

§9:24    Increased Risk of Harm / Detrimental Reliance

§9:25    Resulting Harm

§9:30    Authorities

§9:31    Good Samaritan

§9:31a     Statutory Immunity

§9:31b     Pre-Existing Duty

§9:31c     Duration of Emergency

§9:32    Duty

§9:32a     Voluntary Undertaking

§9:32b     Scope of Duty

§9:33    Breach

§9:34    Increased Risk / Detrimental Reliance

§9:34a     Increased Risk

§9:34b     Detrimental Reliance

§9:40    Remedies

§9:50    Statute of Limitations

§9:60    Affirmative Defenses

§9:70    Related Causes of Action

§1-10:00   Providing Alcohol to Minors  [Business & Professions Code §25602.1]

§10:10   Definition

§10:20   Elements

§10:21   Any Person Licensed or Required to Be Licensed, or Any Person Who Sells or Causes to Be Sold

§10:22   Sells, Furnishes or Gives an Alcoholic Beverage

§10:23   Obviously Intoxicated

§10:24   Minor

§10:25   Any Person Who Has Suffered Injury or Death

§10:26   Proximate Cause

§10:30   Authorities

§10:31   Any Person Licensed or Required to Be Licensed, or Any Person Who Sells or Causes to Be Sold

§10:32   Sells, Furnishes or Gives an Alcoholic Beverage

§10:33   Obviously Intoxicated Minor

§10:34   Any Person Who Has Suffered Injury or Death

§10:35   Proximate Cause

§10:40   Remedies

§10:50   Statute of Limitations

§10:60   Affirmative Defenses

§10:70   Related Causes of Action

§1-11:00   Ultrahazardous Activities

§11:10   Definition

§11:20   Elements

§11:21   Ultrahazardous Activity

§11:22   Foreseeable Harm

§11:23   Causation and Damage

§11:30   Authorities

§11:31   Ultrahazardous Activity

§11:31a   Examples of Ultrahazardous Activities

§11:31b   Examples of Non-Ultrahazardous Activities

§11:31c   Common Usage

§11:40   Remedies

§11:50   Statute of Limitations

§11:60   Affirmative Defenses

§11:70   Related Causes of Action

§1-12:00   Parents’ Liability for Children’s Torts

§12:10   Definition

§12:20   Elements

§12:21   Parent or Guardian

§12:22   Knowledge of Child’s Dangerous Habits

§12:23   Physical Custody of Child

§12:24   Ability to Control Child

§12:25   Failure to Use Reasonable Care to Prevent Harm

§12:26   Foreseeable Harm

§12:30   Authorities

§12:31   Parent or Guardian

§12:32   Knowledge of Child’s Dangerous Habits

§12:33   Physical Custody of Child

§12:34   Ability to Control Child

§12:35   Failure to Use Reasonable Care to Prevent Harm

§12:36   Foreseeable Harm

§12:40   Remedies

§12:50   Statute of Limitations

§12:60   Affirmative Defenses

§12:70   Related Causes of Action

§12:80   Form Complaints

§1-13:00   Premises Liability

§13:10   Definition

§13:20   Elements

§13:21   Duty

§13:22   Breach

§13:23   Causation

§13:24   Damages

§13:30   Authorities

§13:31   Duty

§13:32   Breach

Chapter 2 Emotional Distress

§2-1:00     Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Outrageous Conduct

§1:22    Intent or Reckless Disregard

§1:23    Conduct Directed at Plaintiff

§1:24    Severe Emotional Distress

§1:25    Actual Causation

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Outrageous Conduct

§1:31a     Abuse of Power

§1:31b     Knowledge of Plaintiff’s Susceptibility

§1:31c     Intentional or Unreasonable Acts

§1:31d     Not Outrageous Conduct

§1:32    Intent or Reckless Disregard

§1:33    Severe Emotional Distress

§1:33a     Physical Injury Not Required

§1:34    Actual Causation

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§1:80    Form Complaint

§2-2:00     Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress: Direct Victim

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Duty Owed to Direct Victim

§2:22    Serious Emotional Distress

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Breach of Duty Owed to Direct Victim

§2:31a     Physicians

§2:31b     Pharmacists

§2:31c     Psychotherapists

§2:31d     Mortuaries

§2:31e     Process Servers

§2:31f     Family Relationships

§2:32    Serious Emotional Distress

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§2-3:00     Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress: Bystander

§3:10    Definition

§3:20    Elements

§3:21    Source of Duty

§3:22    Duty of Care

§3:23    Presence at the Scene

§3:24    Direct Sensory and Contemporaneous Observance

§3:25    Close Family Relationship

§3:26    Serious Emotional Distress

§3:30    Authorities

§3:31    Duty of Care to Primary Victim

§3:32    Presence at the Scene

§3:33    Direct Sensory and Contemporaneous Observance

§3:33a     Visual Witnessing Not Required

§3:33b     Contemporaneous Observation

§3:34    Close Family Relationship

§3:35    Serious Emotional Distress

§3:40    Remedies

§3:50    Statute of Limitations

§3:60    Affirmative Defenses

§3:70    Related Causes of Action

§3:80    Form Complaint

Chapter 3 Physical Torts

§3-1:00     Civil Battery

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Intentional Act

§1:22    Harmful or Offensive Contact

§1:23    Non-Consensual Contact

§1:24    Causation and Damage

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Intentional Act

§1:32    Harmful or Offensive Contact

§1:33    Non-Consensual Contact

§1:34    Causation and Damage

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§1:80    Form Complaints

§3-2:00     Sexual Battery

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Intent to Cause Harmful or Offensive Contact or Apprehension

§2:22    Intimate Part

§2:23    Causation

§2:24    Sexually Offensive Contact

§2:25    Lack of Consent

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Sexually Offensive Contact

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§2:80    Form Complaints

§3-3:00     Stalking

§3:10    Definition

§3:20    Elements

§3:21    Pattern of Conduct

§3:22    Intended to Follow, Alarm, or Harass

§3:23    Causation

§3:24    Reasonable Fear for Own Safety or Safety of Immediate Family

§3:25    Restraining Order Violation

§3:26    Credible Threat, Demand to Cease, Persistence

§3:30    Authorities

§3:40    Remedies

§3:50    Statute of Limitations

§3:60    Affirmative Defenses

§3:70    Related Causes of Action

§3-4:00     False Imprisonment and False Arrest

§4:10    Definition

§4:20    Elements

§4:21    Confinement

§4:22    Non-Consensual

§4:23    Intentional

§4:24    Without Lawful Privilege

§4:25    Appreciable Length of Time

§4:30    Authorities

§4:31    Confinement

§4:31a     Imprisonment or Involuntary Hospitalization

§4:31b     Physical Barriers

§4:31c     Physical Force

§4:31d     Threats of Force

§4:31e     False Arrest

§4:31f     Threats of Arrest or Embarrassment

§4:31g     Other Fears and Threats

§4:31h     Fraud or Deceit

§4:32    Non-Consensual

§4:33    Intentional

§4:34    Without Lawful Privilege

§4:34a     False Arrest by Peace Officer 

§4:34b     False Arrest Caused by Private Citizen

§4:35    Appreciable Length of Time

§4:40    Remedies

§4:50    Statute of Limitations

§4:60    Affirmative Defenses

§4:70    Related Causes of Action

Chapter 4 Procedural Torts

§4-1:00     Malicious Prosecution

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Prior Action

§1:22    Commenced by or at Direction of Defendant

§1:23    Favorable Termination

§1:24    No Probable Cause

§1:25    Malice

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Prior Action

§1:32    Commenced by or at Direction of Defendant

§1:33    Favorable Termination

§1:34    No Probable Cause

§1:35    Malice

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§4-2:00     Abuse of Process

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Willful Act

§2:22    Use of Legal Process

§2:23    Improper Purpose

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Willful Act

§2:32    Use of Legal Process

§2:33    Improper Purpose

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§2:80    Form Complaint

Chapter 5 Fraud and Negligent Misrepresentation

§5-1:00     Fraud and Intentional Deceit

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Misrepresentation

§1:22    Material Fact

§1:23    Knowledge of Falsity

§1:24    Intent to Induce Reliance

§1:25    Justifiable Reliance

§1:26    Causation and Damage

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Misrepresention

§1:31a     Affirmative Misrepresentation

§1:31b     Concealment

§1:31c     Opinion

§1:31d     False Promise

§1:32    Material Fact

§1:33    Knowledge of Falsity

§1:34    Intent to Induce Reliance

§1:35    Justifiable Reliance

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§1:80    Form Complaints

§5-2:00     Negligent Misrepresentation

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Misrepresentation of Material Fact

§2:22    No Reasonable Ground for Believing Representation True

§2:23    Intent That Plaintiff Rely

§2:24    Justifiable Reliance

§2:25    Causation and Damage

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Misrepresentation of Material Fact

§2:31a     Positive Assertion

§2:31b     Opinion

§2:31c     Course of Business

§2:31d     Risk of Physical Harm

§2:32    No Reasonable Ground for Believing Representation True

§2:33    Intent That Plaintiff Rely

§2:34    Justifiable Reliance

§2:35    Causation and Damage

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§5-3:00     Constructive Fraud

§3:10    Definition

§3:20    Elements

§3:21    Fiduciary or Confidential Relationship

§3:22    Breach of Duty

§3:23    Advantage Gained

§3:24    Justifiable Reliance

§3:25    Causation and Damage

§3:30    Authorities

§3:31    Fiduciary or Confidential Relationship

§3:32    Breach of Duty

§3:33    Advantage Gained

§3:34    Justifiable Reliance

§3:35    Causation and Damage

§3:40    Remedies

§3:50    Statute of Limitations

§3:60    Affirmative Defenses

§3:70    Related Causes of Action

Chapter 6 Products Liability and Commercial Sales

§6-1:00     Strict Products Liability: Manufacturing or Design Defect

§1:10    Definition

§1:20    Elements

§1:21    Defective Product

§1:22    Persons Subject to Strict Products Liability

§1:23    Causation and Damage

§1:30    Authorities

§1:31    Defective Product

§1:31a     Definition of Product

§1:31b     Proof of Defect

§1:31c     Manufacturing Defects

§1:31d     Design Defects

              Unavoidably Dangerous Products

              Two Tests for Design Defects

              Consumer Expectation Test

              Risk Benefit Balancing Test

              Examples of Defective Designs

§1:32    Persons Subject To Strict Liability

§1:33    Causation and Damage

§1:40    Remedies

§1:50    Statute of Limitations

§1:60    Affirmative Defenses

§1:70    Related Causes of Action

§1:80    Form Complaints

§6-2:00     Strict Products Liability: Failure to Warn

§2:10    Definition

§2:20    Elements

§2:21    Duty to Warn

§2:22    Failure to Adequately Warn

§2:23    Causation and Damage

§2:30    Authorities

§2:31    Duty to Warn

§2:31a     Persons Subject to Strict Products Liability

§2:31b     Knowledge of Risk 

§2:31c     Definition of Product

§2:31d     Proof of Defect

§2:32    Failure to Adequately Warn

§2:33    Causation and Damage

§2:40    Remedies

§2:50    Statute of Limitations

§2:60    Affirmative Defenses

§2:70    Related Causes of Action

§6-3:00     Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability

§3:10    Definition

§3:20    Elements

§3:21    Sale of Goods by Merchant

§3:22    Privity

§3:23    Breach of Warranty

§3:24    Causation and Damage

§3:25    Timely Notice to Seller

§3:30    Authorities

§3:31    Sale of Goods by Merchant

§3:32    Privity

§3:33    Breach of Warranty

§3:34    Causation and Damage

§3:35    Timely Notice to Seller

§3:40    Remedies

§3:50    Statute of Limitations

§3:60    Affirmative Defenses

§3:70    Related Causes of Action

§3:80    Form Complaints

§6-4:00     Breach of Implied Warranty of Fitness

§4:10    Definition

§4:20    Elements

§4:21    Sale of Goods

§4:22    Privity

§4:23    Seller’s Knowledge of Intended Use

§4:24    Buyer’s Reliance on Seller’s Skill or Judgment

§4:25    Breach of Warranty

§4:26    Causation and Damage

§4:27    Timely Notice to Seller

§4:30    Authorities

§4:31    Sale of Goods

§4:32    Privity

§4:33    Seller’s Knowledge of Intended Use

§4:34    Buyer’s Reliance on Seller’s Skill or Judgment

§4:35    Breach of Warranty

§4:36    Causation and Damage

§4:37    Timely Notice to Seller

§4:40    Remedies

§4:50    Statute of Limitations

§4:60    Affirmative Defenses

§4:70    Related Causes of Action

§6-5:00     Breach of Warranty of Title in Sales Contract

§5:10    Definition

§5:20    Elements

§5:21    Sales Contract

§5:22    Privity of Contract

§5:23    Breach of Warranty of Title

§5:24    Buyer Believed Title Was Good

§5:25    Notice to Seller

§5:26    Actual Loss

§5:30    Authorities

§5:31    Sales Contract

§5:32    Privity of Contract

§5:33    Breach of Warranty of Title

§5:34    Buyer Believed Title Was Good

§5:35    Notice to Seller

§5:36    Actual Loss

§5:40    Remedies

§5:50    Statute of Limitations

§5:60    Affirmative Defenses

§5:70    Related Causes of Action

§6-6:00     Breach of Implied Warranty of Habitability

§6:10    Definition

§6:20    Elements

§6:21    Valid Rental Agreement

§6:22    Notice to Landlord

§6:23    Substantial Defect

§6:24    Defect Not Caused by Tenant

§6:30    Authorities

§6:31    Valid Rental Agreement

§6:32    Notice to Landlord

§6:33    Substantial Defect

§6:34    Defect Not Caused by Tenant

§6:40    Remedies

§6:50    Statute of Limitations

§6:60    Affirmative Defenses