Master Tort Law with Picmonic for Nursing RN

When an individual wrongfully harms another individual, this is known as a tort. The injury can be to person, property, or reputation.The injured party (also called the plaintiff) can seek money for damages from the responsible party (called the defendant). Torts are intentional or unintentional.

Intentional torts are willful or intentional acts that violate another person’s rights or property. Examples of intentional torts include assault, battery, and false imprisonment.

Assault is the intentional threat meant to make another person afraid that they will be harmed.

False imprisonment is when a person is confined in a limited area, or within an institution. A charge of false imprisonment may also be made after a person is placed in restraints or seclusion. In addition, medications resulting in chemical restraint may also fit in this area.

Battery is the actual harmful or offensive physical touching of another person.

Unintentional torts are unintended actions against another person producing injury or harm.

Negligence is the most common unintentional tort, and is the failure to use ordinary care in any situation when you have a duty to do so.

Malpractice is a type of professional negligence. Examples are proven failure to question a physician’s order, or proven failure to protect a patient from self-harm.

Nursing documentation is considered a legal document. The justice system reviews a patient’s chart for a chronological record of the patient’s care, from admission until discharge. Courts use nursing documentation in legal proceedings to reconstruct events by establishing times and dates, or admissible as evidence.