BUS-114
Tort law is arguably one of the two most important bodies of U.S. law, simply because it governs basic everyday human interaction. As such, tort law is one of the most important fields of paralegal employment as well. This course will provide our students with a general understanding of the laws dealing with civil wrongs and the remedies for those wrongs, including intentional torts, negligence, liability of principals for the actions of their agents, strict liability, products liability, nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy and various factors that affect the right of a plaintiff to bring suit against a defendant. The course will also focus attention on the nature of personal injury litigation, its documentation and practices, assessing and evaluating claims of damages, losses and the formalities of adjudication and/or settlement. Because tort law arises from, and is so deeply rooted in, everyday life, it is one of the most interesting, as well as relevant, areas of law that you will study.

Legal Skills Acquired :

At the completion of this course, the student will:

• understand the rules of intentional and negligent torts.
• understand the rules regarding defenses to allegations of such torts.
• Recognize various causes of action in a fact pattern.
• possess the skills to research statutory and case law.
• understand rules regarding the special duties owed, by land occupiers, etc.
• determine level of liability,e.g. contributory negligence, assumption of risk, etc.
• understand the rules of inemnification and contribution.
• apply the rules of strict and products liability.
• understand the rules for defamation.
• understand causes of action, such as fraud, malicious prosecution, invasion of privacy and interference with commerce.