- Description
- Students explore the legal meaning of negligence and legal actions relating to negligence.
- Prerequisite
- None
- Supporting courses
- LGS1010: Private Law LGS1020: Public Law LGS1030: Relationship Law
Outcomes The student will:
1 explain what constitutes negligence
1.1 describe the evolution of the legal area of negligence
1.2 outline the elements that make up the legal concept of negligence
2 examine duty of care
2.1 describe the neighbour principle
2.2 identify relationships where duty of care issues can arise; e.g., drivers on the roadway, teacher/student, doctor/patient, manufacturer/consumer
3 examine standard of care
3.1 define the doctrine of the standard of care of the “reasonable person” and foreseeability
3.2 explain how the doctrine of the “reasonable person” applies to special categories; e.g., minors, professionals, experts
3.3 investigate the concept of breach of standard of care
4 investigate causation
4.1 explain the link between the breach and damage; e.g., proximate cause
4.2 discuss situations with multiple causes, considering:
4.2.1 apportionment of liability between defendants
4.2.2 the balance of probabilities
4.3 explain the principle of contributory negligence
5 examine damages and remedies
5.1 describe loss or injury as an element of negligence
5.2 identify the types of damages for which a person may claim compensation
6 consider defenses
6.1 identify which party in a lawsuit has to prove on the balance of probabilities whether the elements of negligence have been proven
6.2 explore which elements of negligence are more difficult to prove in a given situation; e.g., car accident, medical malpractice, slip and fall
7 describe the structure and process of the civil court
7.1 prepare documents required to take action in Provincial Court
7.2 prepare documents required to defend action in Provincial Court
7.3 consider methods of enforcing judgments
8 consider special types of negligence
8.1 define what constitutes voluntary assumption of risk
8.2 explain the special situations under which certain types of liability are imposed; e.g., strict, vicarious, occupiers’ liability, waivers
9 demonstrate basic competencies
9.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
9.1.1 communicate
9.1.2 manage information
9.1.3 use numbers
9.1.4 think and solve problems
9.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
9.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
9.2.2 be responsible
9.2.3 be adaptable
9.2.4 learn continuously
9.2.5 work safely
9.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
9.3.1 work with others
9.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
10 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
10.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
10.2 identify steps to achieve goals
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.