Specific Intent vs. General Intent

In order to prove an intentional tort, such as assault or battery, the plaintiff must show that the defendant intended to commit the tort. Intent may be either specific or general.

Liability of Partners and Joint Venturers

Generally, each member of a partnership or joint venture is vicariously liable for the wrongful conduct of another member if the wrongful conduct occurs within the scope and course of the affairs of the partnership or joint venture. Therefore, each member of a partnership or joint venture will be liable for personal injuries caused by another member's negligence if the negligence occurs within the scope and course of the affairs of the business.

Trade Libel

If a defendant publishes false statements that injure or disparage a plaintiff's business, he may be liable for trade libel. Trade libel is different from libel because trade libel only applies to a plaintiff's property, whereas libel applies to a plaintiff's reputation.

Tort Action for Violation of a Fiduciary Duty

A person who has a fiduciary relationship with another person commits a tort when he or she breaches his or her fiduciary duty with regard to the other person. The other person is entitled to damages from the fiduciary if he or she sustains damages as a result of the fiduciary's breach of his or her duty.

Action by a Spouse for a Tort against the Other Spouse

When one spouse is injured as a result of a defendant's negligent or tortious conduct, the other spouse is entitled to file an action against the defendant for his or her damages as a result of the defendant's conduct. The spouse who is injured is referred to as the impaired spouse.