When in doubt, what duty is owed?
A reasonable duty
Battery statute of limitations
3 years
Informed consent requires
disclosure of the usual and most frequent risks a reasonable person would consider important in making the decision of whether or not to undergo a surger
If a doctor performs an authorized surgery without disclosing risks, what is the claim
negligence
When can punative damages be given?
if there is fraud or malice
The shopkeeper privilege requires
that the shopkeep have probable cause.
NC IIED based on contractual realtionship
Cause of action if
- The main benefits were not just money;
- The contract related directly to dignity, mental concern, sensibilities (gender reassignment)
- The primary loss is not money
- The contract direct involves emotions or dignities
NC trespass to land addition
A trespass could include an airplane overflight that is so low that the use of enjoyment of the land is adversely affected
When can double damages be given for conversion?
If there is unauthorized cutting, removing, or burning of any valuable wood or timber on or from his land
When does ∆ have a duty to retreat?
If the assault is nonfelnous + outside ones home
When is there not a duty to retreat?
- if assualt is a felony,
- assult occurs at place of business
- assualt occurs at one’s home
Defense of other standard
The use of force is allowed to defend another if the actor reasonably believes that the person in need of aid would be permitted to use self-defense
Defense of Property in NC
Can use deadly force to protect home or residence if occupant believes intruder intends to
- Kill,
- Cause serious bodily harm; or,
- commit some other felon
Rescuer liability for injuries to the rescued
Good Samaritan Statues
Volunteer Rescuer is not liable for damage caused in the absence of wanton conduct or gross negligence
If a person voluntarily undertakes to provide needed services or protection to another, then what duty is owed
A duty of care
Any driver involved in a vehicle accident is required to
Stop and render reasonable aid to any injured person
What must be proved for negligent infliction of emotional distress
- ∆acted negligently;
- Foreseeable that ∆ would be in severe emotional distress; and,
- Conduct did cause emotional distress
Severe emotional distress means
Any emotional or mental disorder
Wrongful birth actions in NC
are not recognized
Wrongful life actions in NC
are not recognized in NC
Wrongful conception actions in NC
Is allow in NC
Doctor messed up in sterilizing conceiving party
Damages = cost of birth
What is the duty owed to invitees and licensees
the duty of reasonable care toward all lawful visitors
What is the duty of trespassers
Refrain from willful and wanton conduct
What are the requirements of a lessor of a residential property
- comply with all housing and building codes;
- Make whatever repairs are necessary to keep the premises in habitable condition
- keep all common areas in a safe condition
- maintaining all facilities and appliances in safe working order; and,
- providing working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
How does NC define age of capacity?
- ≤ 6, no negligence
- 7-13; rebuttable presumption that child was not negligent
- 14+; rebuttable presumption of negligence
Professional duty standard for health care professionals
custom similarly situated in similar communities
Common carriers duty owed to
Passengers and prospective passengers
Loss of chance in NC
NC has not yet recognized
Duty owed to a non-paying guest in an automobile?
Reasonable care; no heightened standard
Proximate Cause in NC
Recovery allowed for any person harmed due to breach of defendant’s duty of care
-Don’t just have to be in zone of danger
Punitive damages available if
- ∆liable for compensatory damages and
- one of the following by clear and convincing evidence
a. fraud,
b. malice, or
c. willful or wanton conduct
When are punitive damages barred
vicarious liability
Contributory negligence as a defense
NC is contributory negligence state, if 1% at fault, complete bar
Last clear chance rule
a party with the last clear chance to avoid the accident or injury who fails to do so is liable for any negligence
If πcan show that ∆had last clear chance, then contributory neg. does not bar recovery
What is the owner-occupant doctrine?
negligence of a driver of a vehicle is imputed to the owner who is a passenger at the time of accident
+
owner can recover from driver
Strict Liability for Abnormally dangerous Activities in N.C.
- Blasting
Only abnormally dangerous activity receiving strict liability
Strict Products Liability in N.C.
N.C. does not recognize
Causes of actions for defective products in N.C.
2
- negligence
- breach of warranty of merchantability
Contributory Negligence in products liability actions occurs when?
(4)
Contributory Negligence is a complete bar
- use of product contrary to instructions
- failure to exercise reasonable care
- unreasonably preceding to use product after discovering
- Modification of the product
For a products liability claim, what is the scope of claimants?
Buyer’s family and guest
+
Employee of buyer
Nuisance in N.C. arises when?
5
Anything that tends to adversely affect
- public morals
- health
- economy
- safety
- thrift (bank)
Statute of limitations for defamation in N.C.?
1-year
Slander Per-Se in N.C. areas?
- moral turpitude
- business or profession
- loathsome disease
–unchastity is only recognized if talks about having sex with animals
How can non-public actors become public actors?
Purposeful activity that thrusts their personality into the vortex of an important public controversy
-Need malice for defamation
Invasion of Privacy actions in N.C.
2
- Appropriation
2. Intrusion upon seclusion
What is needed for fraud?
statement was made
- with knowledge of of falsity; and,
- intent to deceive
(mbe could get in with recklessness)
Intentional interference with contractual relations
allowed as a cause of action
Vicarious Liability in N.C. arises when?
- owner who occupies a vehicle is responsible for actions of others while driven
(family purpose exception: any person from the family is liable for actions of other while driven if in the car) - Parent is liable for actions of child up to 2k for malicious or willful injury
- Dram Shop Act: Vender can be held liable for negligent sale to a minor if the injuries are caused by minor while operating a vehicle while impaired
- Social Host Liability: if a reasonably prudent person would have known that the minor or other person was intoxicated and likely to drive
Contribution apportionment in N.C.
Contributions apportioned equally (amount/contributors)
≠ contribution when they have intentionally injured the π
when do claims not survive death
2
defamation
false imprisonement
Public Officers are immune from liability when?
Always immune unless their actions are malicious
-public employee is not immune