Tort law worksheet with answers

In negligence, the standard of care is usually that of:

1. AThe defendant's own personal best
2. BThe reasonable person in the defendant's position
3. CThe claimant's expectations
4. DA perfect expert in every case

An employer's duty to provide competent staff, safe equipment, a safe place and a safe system of work is:

1. AA duty that applies only in factories
2. BA duty that can be passed to any contractor
3. CA non-delegable duty
4. DA duty owed only to managers

For a defamation claim, the statement must be defamatory, refer to the claimant, and be:

1. APublished in print or on television
2. BPublished to at least one third party
3. CRepeated by at least two people
4. DRead by the claimant personally

A solicitor negligently delays preparing a new will, and the client dies before signing. The intended beneficiaries lose their gifts. In White v Jones, the solicitor:

1. AWas liable only to the client's estate
2. BWas not liable, because there was no contract with them
3. CWas liable to the disappointed beneficiaries
4. DWas not liable, because the will was never signed

A firefighter is injured by a heavy jack in an unsuitable lorry rushed to rescue a woman trapped under a vehicle. Under Watt v Hertfordshire CC, the fire authority was:

1. ANegligent, because it used an unsuitable vehicle
2. BNegligent, because firefighters must never take risks
3. CNot negligent, because saving life justified the risk
4. DStrictly liable for injuries to employees

Patients are paralysed by anaesthetic contaminated through invisible cracks in glass ampoules, a risk unknown to doctors at the time. Under Roe v Minister of Health, the hospital was:

1. ANegligent, judged by the medical knowledge available at trial
2. BNegligent, because harm occurred in hospital
3. CStrictly liable for any harm from drugs
4. DNot negligent, judged by the knowledge available at the time

A tannery spills small amounts of solvent over many years. It seeps underground and contaminates a water company's borehole, which nobody could have foreseen. In Cambridge Water v Eastern Counties Leather:

1. AThe tannery was liable, because Rylands liability is strict and needs no foreseeability
2. BThe tannery was liable in negligence instead
3. CThe tannery was not liable, because the type of damage was not foreseeable
4. DThe water company was barred by contributory negligence

A police officer, without arresting her, takes hold of a woman's arm to stop her walking away so she can be questioned. In Collins v Wilcock:

1. AThis was lawful, as police may restrain anyone they wish to question
2. BThis was a battery, as it went beyond acceptable everyday contact
3. CThis was only an assault, as no harm was done
4. DThis was lawful, because she was suspected