Tort law worksheet with answers

In general, a person who hires an independent contractor is:

1. ANot vicariously liable for the contractor's torts
2. BAlways vicariously liable for the contractor's torts
3. CLiable for all torts committed in the same year
4. DLiable only if the contractor has no insurance

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, but only for trained professionals
4. DYes, everyone must try to rescue anyone in danger

Which English statute lets dependants of a person killed by a tort claim for their loss of financial support?

1. ALaw Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945
2. BCompensation Act 2006
3. CFatal Accidents Act 1976
4. DOccupiers' Liability Act 1984

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

A man bangs trays and shouts every time his neighbour, a music teacher, gives lessons, purely to annoy her. In Christie v Davey, the court held:

1. AHis malice made the noise an unreasonable use of land and a nuisance
2. BMusic lessons are themselves a nuisance
3. CIntention is irrelevant in nuisance, so his motive could not affect the claim
4. DOnly the police could deal with the noise

Two chimney sweeps die from fumes while sealing a chimney, despite warnings about the danger. In Roles v Nathan, the occupier was:

1. ANot liable, because specialists can be expected to guard against risks of their trade
2. BLiable, because the warnings were given orally
3. CNot liable, because the sweeps were trespassers
4. DLiable, because occupiers must make premises completely safe for every visitor, including specialists

The "eggshell skull" rule means that:

1. AHead injuries are compensated at a fixed rate
2. BThe defendant must take the victim as found, including unusual vulnerabilities
3. COnly foreseeable claimants can sue
4. DFragile victims cannot recover damages

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