Quick-reference explainer
Torts One-Pager | BarPrepPlay
This Torts one-pager keeps the negligence spine, strict-liability blocks, products rules, and comparative-fault modifiers visible in one page-length review.
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Overview
This Torts one-pager keeps the negligence spine, strict-liability blocks, products rules, and comparative-fault modifiers visible in one page-length review.
Negligence
Duty (reasonable care) + Breach + Causation (actual + proximate) + Damages. Res ipsa: Inference when D in control. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Duty (reasonable care) + Breach + Causation (actual + proximate) + Damages. Res ipsa: Inference when D in control.
Section sources
Strict Liability
Wild animals, abnormally dangerous activities, manufacturing defects. No fault required. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Wild animals, abnormally dangerous activities, manufacturing defects. No fault required.
Section sources
Products
Manufacturing (deviation), Design (reasonable alternative), Warning (duty to warn). All in chain liable. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Manufacturing (deviation), Design (reasonable alternative), Warning (duty to warn). All in chain liable.
Section sources
Intentional Torts
Battery (contact), Assault (apprehension), False imprisonment (confinement), IIED (extreme + outrageous). On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Battery (contact), Assault (apprehension), False imprisonment (confinement), IIED (extreme + outrageous).
Section sources
Defamation
Defamatory statement, of/concerning P, publication, damages. Public figures: Actual malice. Private: Negligence. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Defamatory statement, of/concerning P, publication, damages. Public figures: Actual malice. Private: Negligence.
Section sources
Comparative Fault
Pure: Plaintiff recovers reduced damages. Modified: Plaintiff is barred after the jurisdiction-specific fault threshold. Contributory: Any plaintiff fault is a total bar. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Pure: Plaintiff recovers reduced damages. Modified: Plaintiff is barred after the jurisdiction-specific fault threshold. Contributory: Any plaintiff fault is a total bar.
Section sources
FAQ
Use it as a fast recall reset before you do active practice. It is designed to put the core frameworks back into working memory, not replace question practice.
Scan the one-pager first, then open the matching deep dive for full doctrine or the matching most-tested page for review priority. After that, move into a drill or mixed set.
Primary law and source anchors
- Restatement (Second) of Torts Section 281 The basic negligence framework of duty, breach, causation, and damages.
- Restatement (Second) of Torts Section 402A Black-letter strict-products-liability principles for defective products.
- Restatement (Second) of Torts Sections 433-435 Guidance on legal cause, substantial factor analysis, and foreseeability limits on liability.