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Full-Text Articles in Torts

The Fault Principle As The Chameleon Of Contract Law: A Market Function Approach, Stefan Grundmann Jun 2009

The Fault Principle As The Chameleon Of Contract Law: A Market Function Approach, Stefan Grundmann

Michigan Law Review

This Article begins with a comparative law survey showing that all legal systems do not opt exclusively for fault liability or strict liability in contract law, but often adopt a more nuanced approach. This approach includes intermediate solutions such as reversing the burden of proof, using a market ("objective") standard of care, distinguishing between different types of contracts, and providing a "second chance" to breaching parties. Taking this starting point seriously and arguing that it is highly unlikely that all legal systems err, this Article argues that the core question is how and when each liability regime should prevail or …


The Many Faces Of Fault In Contract Law: Or How To Do Economics Right, Without Really Trying, Richard A. Epstein Jan 2009

The Many Faces Of Fault In Contract Law: Or How To Do Economics Right, Without Really Trying, Richard A. Epstein

Michigan Law Review

Modern law often rests on the assumption that a uniform cost-benefit formula is the proper way to determine fault in ordinary contract disputes. This Article disputes that vision by defending the view that different standards of fault are appropriate in different contexts. The central distinction is one that holds parties in gratuitous transactions only to the standard of care that they bring to their own affairs, while insisting on the higher objective standard of ordinary care in commercial transactions. That bifurcation leads to efficient searches. Persons who hold themselves out in particular lines of business in effect warrant their ability …


Negligence - Breach Of Duty - Standard Of Care Required Of Infant Defendants, Dale Van Winkle Feb 1955

Negligence - Breach Of Duty - Standard Of Care Required Of Infant Defendants, Dale Van Winkle

Michigan Law Review

One of the defendants, a child four years and eight months of age, while playing with infant plaintiff, threw a stone which struck a bottle near where plaintiff was standing. A chip of glass Hew from the bottle into the eye of plaintiff, resulting in injury. The action was brought by infant plaintiff's father individually and as guardian ad litem against infant defendant's father individually and as guardian ad litem. The trial court denied infant defendant's motion for summary judgment. On appeal, held, reversed and remanded with directions to dismiss the complaint as to infant defendant. The authorities do …


Negligence - Contributory Negligence - Infant Plaintiff's Violation Of Statute, Wayne E. Babler Dec 1937

Negligence - Contributory Negligence - Infant Plaintiff's Violation Of Statute, Wayne E. Babler

Michigan Law Review

A nine-year old boy, who ran out into the street without looking in both directions, and thus violated a statute, was injured by an automobile the driver of which was allegedly negligent. Held, it is not negligence as a matter of law for a nine-year old boy to step into the street without looking both ways, notwithstanding the penal statute. Michalsky v. Gaertner, 53 Ohio App. yr, 5 N. E. (2d) 181 (1937).