Torts

This casebook concentrates on negligence as the primary vehicle for teaching tort law. It provides the historical background for each negligence principle so that students understand how current tort law developed. An introductory chapter presents the primary ideas of negligence law, and subsequent chapters develop the law of negligence in detail, including defenses, comparative fault, damages, and multi-party considerations. The second part of the book covers intentional torts, strict liability, products liability, tortious invasion of property interests, workers' compensation, no-fault automobile reparations, defamation, privacy and constitutional torts. This casebook reflects the numerous changes in tort law resulting from enactment of "tort reform" legislation over the last two decades. The Teacher's Manual (available only to professors) contains two "team" problems, which illustrate substantive principles and require students to apply the principles to resolve realistic disputes. Equally important, these problems require students to work with others to solve a problem, a necessary skill in the practice of law. Students assume the role of plaintiff's attorney, defendant's attorney, or judge, and engage in activities such as negotiations, arguing motions and making judicial decisions, all of which are designed to enhance the learning of torts principles.