Tort Law Fundamentals Quiz

Tort law aims to provide compensation to victims for harm inflicted by others.

Breach of contract is not a type of tort, but a contractual violation.

Libel pertains to written defamation, while slander involves spoken defamatory statements.

The statute of limitations for most tort claims is typically 2 years, limiting the time within which legal action can be initiated.

Compensatory damages reimburse the plaintiff, while punitive damages penalize the defendant for egregious conduct.

The standard of proof in tort cases is the preponderance of the evidence, requiring a greater than 50% likelihood of the defendant's liability.

Defamation is an intentional tort involving false statements harming someone's reputation.

The eggshell skull rule holds the defendant liable for the full extent of injuries, regardless of their unexpected severity.

Defenses to defamation include truth, privilege, and opinion, encompassing 'All of the above.'

Res ipsa loquitur infers negligence from the situation itself, stating 'the thing speaks for itself.'

In negligence, the plaintiff must prove causation—establishing the defendant's actions led to the harm suffered.

Strict liability applies when a defendant engages in abnormally dangerous activities, holding them accountable for resulting harm.

Tort reform seeks to reduce the number of tort cases filed, often by limiting damages and altering legal procedures.

The zone of danger rule dictates that a defendant is only liable if the plaintiff was within the zone of danger during the incident.