CLA/CP Exam Torts: Negligence and Liability 5

Question 1

Under the 'negligent entrustment' doctrine, a person who lends a vehicle to another may be liable if they knew or should have known the borrower was:

Accepted Answer

Incompetent, reckless, or unlicensed

Answer

Negligent entrustment holds the lender liable when they knowingly entrust a dangerous item (like a vehicle) to someone they know or should know is incompetent or dangerous.

Question 2

When two defendants' negligent acts combine to cause an indivisible injury, each defendant is typically liable for:

Accepted Answer

The full amount of damages jointly and severally

Answer

Under joint and several liability, when concurrent tortfeasors cause an indivisible injury, each is liable for the full amount, leaving contribution rights among co-defendants.

Question 3

The 'reasonable person' standard in negligence law is considered:

Accepted Answer

An objective external standard based on a hypothetical reasonable person

Answer

The reasonable person standard is an objective benchmark—it does not consider what the defendant actually thought, but what a reasonable person in the same circumstances would have done.

Question 4

Under the 'firefighter's rule,' firefighters and police officers generally cannot sue for negligence arising from:

Accepted Answer

Injuries caused by defendants they were responding to assist

Answer

The firefighter's rule bars recovery by professional rescuers (firefighters, police) for injuries caused by the very negligence that necessitated their presence.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a 'pure economic loss' that tort law typically does NOT allow recovery for in negligence (absent physical injury or property damage)?

Accepted Answer

Lost profits due to a contractor's negligent delay in completing a building

Answer

Pure economic loss (lost profits, business interruption) without accompanying physical injury or property damage is generally not recoverable in negligence under the economic loss rule.

CLA/CP Exam Practice Test

CLA/CP Exam Practice Test

CLA/CP Exam Torts: Negligence and Liability 5