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g) Void- no contract exists, or there is a contract without legal obligations. A contract can be void because one of the parties was previously determined by a court to be legally insane or because of contract being illegal. h) Voidable- is a valid contract but one that can be avoided at the option of one or both of the parties. Contracts entered into by minors are voidable at the option of the minor. Contracts entered into under fraudulent conditions are voidable at the option of defrauded party. Contracts entered into under duress or undue influence also. i) Unenforceable- a valid contract rendered unenforceable by some statute or law
2. Click-on Agreement
-an agreement when a buyer, engaging in a transaction on the computer, indicates his assent to be bound by the terms of an offer by clicking on a button that says, I agree.
3. Consideration
-what is and what is not -Consideration is the value given in exchange for a promise. A contract cant be formed without sufficient consideration -Consideration is broken down into two parts: 1. something of legally sufficient value must be given in exchange for the promise. This may consist of a promise, an act, or a forbearance 2. there must be a bargained-for exchange -Agreements that lack consideration: 1. preexisting duty: consideration is not legally sufficient if one is, either by law or by contract, under a preexisting duty to perform the action. Ex. a sheriff collecting a reward for providing info leading to the capture of a criminal 2. past consideration: actions or events that have already taken place do not constitute legally sufficient consideration
4. Promissory Estoppel
-a person who has reasonably and substantially relied on the promise of another may be able to obtain some measure of recovery. This doctrine is applied in a wide variety of
contexts in which a promise is otherwise unenforceable. A court may enforce an otherwise unenforceable promise to avoid the injustice that would otherwise result -There are four elements required: I. II. III. IV. There must be a clear and definite promise The promisee must justifiably rely on the promise The reliance normally must be of a substantial and definite character Justice will be better served by the enforcement of the promise
-Ex. your uncle tells you I will pay you $350/week so you wont have to work anymore. So you quit your job, and your uncle doesnt pay.
5. Elements of a Contract
A. Agreement- an agreement to form a contract includes an offer and acceptance. One party must offer to enter a legal agreement and another party must accept the terms of the offer Offer 1) Partiesofferor and offeree (the one the offer is made to) 2) Intent vs. Negotiation -objective standardreasonable person -1st requirement for an effective offer is a serious intent by offeror -2nd requirement for an effective offer involves the definiteness of its terms a) the i.d. of the parties b) the i.d. of object or subject matter of contract; including work to be performed c) consideration to be paid d) time of payment, delivery, and performance -3rd requirement for effective offer is communication of the offer to the offeree, resulting in the offerees knowledge of the offer 3) Termination of the offer: -by action of the parties--counteroffer may be posed -by operation of lawan offer can terminate by (a) lapse of time; (b) the destruction of the subject matter; (c) death or incompetence of the parties; (d) supervening illegality Acceptance
-is a voluntary act by the offeree that shows assent to the terms of the offer. It must be communicated to the offeror. There must be unequivocal acceptance. This is the mirror image rule, if acceptance is subject to new conditions or if the terms of acceptance change the original offer, it will be deemed a counteroffer. B. Capacity- is the legal ability to enter into a contractual relationship -Contract can be voidable based on intoxication, minors, and temporarily insane -Disaffirmance is the legal avoidance of a contractual obligation C. Consideration (above) D. Legality- contract must be formed for a legal purpose for it to be valid and enforceable. A contract to do something that is prohibited by federal or state statutory law is illegal and is void from the outset 1) Contracts contrary to public policy -contracts in restraint of trade, or anticompetitive agreements are generally unenforceable -unreasonable covenant not to compete is a contractual promise of one party to refrain from conducting business similar to that of another party for a certain period of time and within a specified geographic area, with unreasonable terms 2) Contracts contrary to statute -gambling contracts that go against state statutes -contracts entered into with unlicensed persons are not enforceable unless the underlying purpose of the licensing statute is to raise government revenues -an exculpatory clause releases a party from liability in the event of monetary or physical injury, no matter who is at fault
-ex. from class, salesman promising if you buy a car and it breaks down first month they will fix it for free. When it breaks down and you bring it in, they say, where is it in the contract?
10. Shrink Wrap Agreements 9, 10, 11 -An agreement between a manufacturer and user where the terms are expressed inside
a box in which the computer hardware or software is packaged
11. Puffery 9, 11
-A salespersons exaggerated claims concerning the quality of property offered for sale. Such claims involve opinion rather than facts and are not considered to be legally binding promises or warranties
2. Fraudulent misrepresentation- usually innocent party can enforce or avoid the contract. For damages, innocent party must suffer an injury. When innocent misrepresentation occurs, the contract may be canceled; requirements a) Misrepresentation; b)material fact; c)justifiable reliance; d)damages; e)scienter (intent) 3. Undue Influence -Arises from special kinds of relationships in which one party can greatly influence the other party, overcoming the partys free will 4. Duress -Tactic of forcing a party to enter a contract under the fear of a threat; the threat of civil action not included 5. Innocent misrepresentation; requirements a) Misrepresentation; b) material fact; c) justifiable reliance; d) damages
14. Option
-ex. from class, if I am selling a horse to someone for $400; and the other person wants to buy the horse but has to find a place to board the horse. The person gives me $25 to hold the sale of the horse, makes the offer firm, and I am not allowed to sell the horse to somebody else
Chapter 12- Strict Liability and Product Liability 1. Fraud -When a fraudulent misrepresentation has been made to a user or consumer, and that
misrepresentation ultimately results in an injury, the basis of liability may be the tort of fraud. For example, the intentional mislabeling of packaged cosmetics or the intentional concealment of a products defects would constitute fraudulent misrepresentation.
2. Caveat Emptor
-Let the buyer beware
1) Express Warrantiesan express warranty arises under the UCC when a seller or lessor indicates, as part of the basis of the bargain, that the goods conform to any of the following: a. An affirmation or promise of fact b. A description of the goods c. A sample shown to the buyer or lessee 2) Implied Warranties a. The implied warranty of merchantability automatically arises when the seller or lessor is a merchant who deals in the kind of goods sold or leased. The seller or lessor warrants that the goods sold or leased are of proper quality, are properly labeled, and are reasonably fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used b. The implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose arises when the buyers or lessees purpose or use is expressly or impliedly known by the seller or lessor and the buyer or lessee purchases or leases the goods in reliance on the sellers or lessors selection 3) Title Warrantiesthe seller or lessor automatically warrants that he or she has good title, and that there are no liens or infringements on the property being sold or lease
4. Statute of Repose
-The statute of limitations within which a plaintiff must file their product liability lawsuit. It is a statute that clocks how long you have to sue for defective product. In N.C., it is within 12 years of purchase.
-Strict Product LiabilityProduct defects (3) I. II. III. In its manufacture In its design By including inadequate warnings or instructions
1. Covenant not to compete -A contractual promise of one party to refrain from conducting business similar to that
of another party for a certain period of time and within a specified geographic area
-Criteria used by the Courts: How much control can the employer exercise over the details of the work? (Control indicates employee status) Is the worker engaged in an occupation or business distinct from that of the employer? (Indicates independent contractor status) Is the work usually done by the employers direction or by a specialist without supervision? (Under employers control indicates employee status) Does the employer supply the tools at the place of work? (employee status) For how long is the person employed? (a long time indicates employee status) What is the method of payment? (such as once every two weeks, employee)
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-An undisclosed principal is a principal whose identity is totally unknown by the third party, and the third party has no knowledge that the agent is acting in an agency capacity at the time the contract is made
5. Employment at Will and exceptions -A common law doctrine under which either party may terminate an employment
relationship at any time for any reason, unless a contract specifies otherwise
-3 exceptions:
a) Contract Theory- an implied employment contract exists between an employer and employee, at times. If an employee is fired outside the terms of the implied contract, he or she may succeed in an action for breach of contract even though no written employments contract exists. b) Tort Theory- in few situations the discharge of an employee may give rise to an action for wrongful discharge (an employers termination of an employees employment in violation of the law) under tort theories c) Public Policy- courts may apply this exception when an employer fires a worker for reasons that violate a fundamental public policy of the jurisdiction; courts require that the public policy involved be expressed clearly in the statutory law governing the jurisdiction -sometimes an employer will direct employees to perform an illegal act and fire them if they refuse to do so. At other times, an employer will fire or discipline employees who blow the whistle (whistleblowing) on the employers wrongdoing. Most states have enacted whistleblowing statutes to protect against retaliation.
6. Negligence-elements, Negligent hiring and retention -Elements of negligent hiring and negligent retention is to employ incompetent or
otherwise unfit employee that commits a tort on plaintiff causing the injury and the employer knew that the employee was unfit
-Respondeat Superior- a Latin term meaning let the master respond. Is a doctrine
under which a principal or an employer is held liable for the wrongful acts committed by agents or employees while acting within the course and scope of their agency or
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employment. When in question (as to within or not within scope of employment) use the detour and frolic test. -Liability for independent contractor. General rule is the Principal not liable for torts of independent contractor; exception in ultra-hazardous activity. This is because the employer does not have the right to control the details of an independent contractor. -Liability for Agents intentional torts. Most of them have no relation to their employment; thus, their employers will not be held liable, unless within the scope of employment -Liability for Agents Crimes. An agent is liable for his or her own crimes
II.
III.
Chapter 17- Employment, Immigration, and Labor Law 1. Workers Compensation- basic/NC/3 types of damages/when does it apply/to whom
-Workers Compensation laws establish an administrative procedure for compensating workers injured on the job. Instead of suing, an injured worker files a claim with the administrative agency or board that administers local workers compensation claims. -Usually the statutes allow employers to purchase insurance from a private insurer or a state fund to pay workers compensation benefits -Requirements for receiving Workers Compensation. The ability to recover benefits is predicated wholly on the existence of an employment relationship and the fact that the
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injury was accidental and occurred on the job or in the course of employment. If the employee was going to or from work, it would not be considered on the job. -Three types of Damages. (1) medical bills (2) loss of body part (3) time away from work
2. Affirmative Action
-Job-hiring policies that give special consideration to members of protected classes in an effort to overcome present effects of past discrimination
3. Closed Shop, Union Shop, Right to Work -A closed shop requires union membership as a condition of employment; this was
made illegal by the LMRA of 1947. A union shop does not require membership as a prerequisite for employment but can require that workers join the union after a specified amount of time on the job. The act also allowed individual states to pass their own right-to-work laws, which make it illegal for union membership to be required for continued employment in any establishment.
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-Violations of the FMLA. An employer that violates the FMLA may be held liable for damages to compensate an employee for unpaid wages, lost benefits, denied compensation, and actual monetary losses up to an amount equivalent to the employees wages for 12 weeks.
6. National Labor Relations Board- 3 main functions -To ensure that employees rights would be protected, the NLRA established the NLRB.
It has the authority to investigate employees charges of unfair labor practices and to file complaints against employers in response to these charges -3 Main Functions. (1) conduct union elections; (2) investigates unfair labor practices (of both unions and employers; (3)determines collective bargaining units
8. Steps in Union Elections -The first step in forming a union it to have the workers sign authorization cards. If a
majority of the workers sign them, the union organizers present the cards to the employer and ask for formal recognition of the union. If the employer refuses to voluntarily recognize the union after a majority of the workers sign authorization cards the union organizers can present the cards to the NLRB with a petition for an election. For an election to be held, the unionizers must demonstrate that at least 30% of the workers to be represented support a union or an election on unionization The NLRB supervises the election and ensures secret voting If the proposed union receives majority support, the NLRB certifies the union The proposed union must represent an appropriate bargaining unit; not every group of workers can form a single union One key requirement of an appropriate bargaining unit is a mutuality of interest among all the workers to be represented; grouped by similarity of jobs
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2. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-titles and defenses/who protected/when does it apply/what is not protected
-Prohibits employment discrimination against persons with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of the jobs for which they apply A. Procedures and Remedies- to prevail on a claim under the ADA, the plaintiff must show that he has a disability, is otherwise qualified for the employment in question, and was excluded from employment solely because of the disability B. Reasonable Accommodation- employers are required to reasonably accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include altering job application procedures, modifying the physical work environment, and permitting more flexible work schedules -Protected disabilities. Drug addiction, alcoholism, blindness, heart disease, cancer, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, AIDS, diabetes, HIV, and morbid obesity -Excluded disabilities. Kleptomania, myopia (near-sightedness), carpal tunnel syndrome, bipolar disorder, epilepsy; these and other such conditions do not fall under the ADAs protections if the conditions can be corrected. The determination of whether a person is substantially limited in a major life activity is based on how the person functions when taking medication or using corrective devices, not on how the person functions without these measures.
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A. Procedures- employees must file a claim with the EEOC, the EEOC may sue the employer on the employees behalf, or the employee may sue the employer directly B. Types of discrimination- prohibits both intentional (disparate-treatment) and unintentional (disparate-impact) discrimination. C. Remedies for discrimination- if a plaintiff proves that unlawful discrimination occurred, he or she may be awarded reinstatement, back pay, and retroactive promotions. Damages (both compensatory and punitive) may be awarded for intentional discrimination
woman seeking a job in construction, the woman then must prove the intentional discrimination from the employer
8. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) -A victim of alleged discrimination first must file a claim before bringing a suit. EEOC
investigates the suit and tries to settle out of court. If voluntary agreement cant be reached, the EEOC may then file a suit against the employer on the employees behalf. Victim can also bring their own suit against the employer if the EEOC does not investigate. Generally it only investigates priority cases.
9. Protected Classes
-A group of persons protected by specific laws because of the groups defining characteristics. Under laws prohibiting employment discrimination, these characteristics include race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, and disability
10. Title VII- # of employees required, protected classes, amendments in Title VII action, violations, and defenses
-Title VII applies to employers with 15+ employees, labor unions with 15+ members, labor unions that operate hiring halls, employment agencies, and state and local governing units
ii.
-Title VII protection does extend to situations in which individuals are harassed by members of the same gender. However, it can be difficult to prove that the harassment in same-gender harassment cases is based on sex.
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ESSAYS Fraud - elements NLRB functions Employee versus independent contractor Contract Elements and defenses Shrink Wrap agreement ADEA basics Right to Work/ Closed Shop/ Union Shop- which is NC Workers Compensation- (including NC specifics)/ when does WC apply and to whom and why/ damages available/ employer cannot fire for employee filing for WC (against public policy)/give up right to sue/ purpose of WC and who is protected Employee at Will including NCs public policy exception to at will rule (Coman handout) Statute of Frauds Negligent hiring and retention Strict product liability elements Respondeat Superior Civil Rights Act of 1964- Title VII basics Article II Warranties under the UCC Contracting with a minor Statute of Repose Union Certification Collective Bargaining agreement ADA basics Principal/ Agent Authority Parol evidence rule
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