Torts Negligence 1 2 I. Definitions Negligence-- to prove the charge of negligence the following elements must be established: 1. duty of car e 2. breach of dut y . the breach is the cause in fact of the in!ury ". the breach is the proximate cause of the in!ury Vicarious liability--liability based not on fault but status. #by far the most common type is respondeat superior$. Respondeat superior--to recover under this theory% plaintiff must establish: 1. a negligent act of employee#a breach of duty$ 2. the negligent act was within the scope of employment .Scope of employment-- proof must meet the following elements: 1. of the &ind he is employed to perform 2. substantially within the authori'ed time and space limits . purpose to serve master () employer would have benefitted Independent contractor--the default rule is employer is not responsible under respondeat superior. *+,*T: non-delegable duties i. peculiar ris&s #blastinge/cavating$ ii. duty to inspect #landchattel$ The employer test to distinguish I, from employee: 1. relies on skill of contractor 2. does not enter into active control of enterprise . does not control manner and means of task [withholding of taxes and social security hallmar& of employee0 1The liability stems from unreasonable and unintentional conduct. 2 Defenses to negligence are comparative fault, contributory negligence, express assumption of the risk, implied assumption of the risk. 3This is also called the legal cause or the scope of liability.