Business Law

Why might a simple act of carelessness result in legal action?

 What is the difference between criminal law and tort law?

 A crime is an act against not only a specific individual, but the general welfare, as well.  A tort is a private wrong committed by one person against another.

 A tort will lead the wronged party to try and recover money as compensation for the loss or injury suffered.

 A tort does not, however, call upon the government to punish the wrongdoer.

 Under tort law all people are entitled to certain rights  Be free from bodily harm  Enjoy a good reputation  Conduct business without unwarranted interference

1. The possession of certain rights by an innocent party 2. A violation of those rights by the tortfeasor 3. A resulting injury that somehow hurts the person whose rights were violated

 Intentional torts are actions that deliberately hurt, embarrass, or scare people.

 The tort of assault occurs when one person deliberately leads another person to believe that he or she is about to be harmed.  The tort of battery involves the unlawful, unprivileged touching of another person.

 Raymond slapped his wife Charlotte while they were arguing about child support. Which tort did Raymond commit—assault or battery?  Battery

 Law enforcement officers must have probable cause or a warrant to arrest someone, or they can be sued for false imprisonment, or false arrest.

 Defamation is the wrongful act of injuring another’s reputation by making false statements.  Libel is a false statement in written form.  Slander is a false statement made orally to a third party.

 Invasion of privacy is interfering with a person’s right to be left alone, which includes the right to be free from unwanted publicity and interference with private matters.

 A trespass is the wrongful damage to or interference with the property of another.

 Conversion is interfering with a person’s right to personal property.

 The tort of nuisance is anything that interferes with the enjoyment of life or property.

 Disparagement consists of lies about objects. The lies could be about quality or ownership.