Tort law worksheet with answers

Under Part I of the UK Consumer Protection Act 1987, liability for a defective product is:

1. AStrict, so the claimant need not prove the producer was at fault
2. BLimited to products bought directly from the producer
3. CFault-based, so the claimant must prove negligence
4. DOnly available if there is a contract with the producer of the product

In English law, is there a general duty to rescue a stranger in danger?

1. ANo, unless the stranger asks for help
2. BNo, there is generally no liability for a pure omission
3. CYes, everyone must try to rescue anyone in danger
4. DYes, but only for trained professionals

An employer can be liable for torts committed by an employee during their work. This is called:

1. AStrict liability for all acts
2. BVicarious liability
3. CContributory negligence
4. DNovus actus interveniens

A premature baby goes blind. Excess oxygen negligently given was only one of five possible causes. In Wilsher v Essex AHA, the claim:

1. ASucceeded, because the negligence materially increased the risk of the blindness
2. BSucceeded, with damages reduced by four fifths
3. CFailed, because no duty was owed to a baby
4. DFailed, because the claimant could not prove the negligence caused the blindness

An occupier hires a reputable lift company to maintain a lift. The company's negligence causes an accident. Under Haseldine v Daw, the occupier is:

1. ANot liable, if it reasonably chose a competent contractor
2. BLiable only if the lift is new
3. CLiable for any defect on its premises
4. DLiable, because maintenance is non-delegable

A milkman, forbidden by his employer to give lifts, lets a boy ride on his float to help deliver milk. The boy is injured by the milkman's negligence. In Rose v Plenty, the employer was:

1. ANot liable, because giving lifts had been expressly forbidden by the employer
2. BVicariously liable, because the boy was helping with the employer's work
3. CLiable only if the milkman had no insurance
4. DNot liable, because the boy was a trespasser

Under the EU Product Liability Directive, the "development risks" defence allows a producer to escape liability if:

1. AThe product was sold at a low price
2. BThe consumer did not read the instructions
3. CThe state of scientific and technical knowledge when the product was circulated did not allow the defect to be discovered
4. DThe producer was not negligent in manufacturing

As a practical joke, a man falsely tells a woman that her husband has been badly injured. She suffers a serious illness from the shock. In Wilkinson v Downton, the man was:

1. ANot liable, because there was no direct physical contact with the woman
2. BLiable only in defamation
3. CNot liable, because it was only a joke
4. DLiable for intentionally causing physical harm by a false statement