Seminar: Current Problems in Tort Law

Catalog description

Tort law has always grappled with cutting edge issues created by new technologies. Explores tort law’s applicability to several problems that are currently working their way through the tort system in one form or another: liability issues presented by the expected rise of autonomous vehicles, efforts to hold prescription drug manufacturers liable for the opioid epidemic, the use of tort law as a mechanism for addressing harms caused by climate change, litigation against the National Football League relating to the long-term effects caused by concussions, and tort law’s response to modern privacy harms that occur online. Begins with an exploration of tort theory, designed to expose students to the diverse range of academic approaches to tort law and help develop a deeper understanding of the tort system. Moves on to a discussion of how tort law can and should (or can’t and shouldn’t) respond to the various problems listed above.