The Complete United States Tort Law Casebook for Paralegals 2026
Tort law is not just about learning the elements of negligence, intentional torts, or strict liability.
For a paralegal, it is also about knowing how to turn a client's story into an organized case file.
The Complete United States Tort Law Casebook for Paralegals 2026 combines tort-law fundamentals with practical case analysis and the litigation-support skills paralegals use throughout a civil claim.
Designed with the paralegal student and working legal professional in mind, this book connects legal doctrine with realistic cases, hypotheticals, documents, evidence, and problem-solving exercises.
Inside, you'll explore:
- Foundations and purposes of tort law
- Intentional torts against persons and property
- Negligence and the reasonable-person standard
- Duty and breach
- Actual and proximate causation
- Damages and legally recognized harm
- Negligence per se and res ipsa loquitur
- Comparative and contributory negligence
- Assumption of risk
- Premises liability
- Professional negligence
- Vicarious liability
- Strict liability
- Products liability
- Defamation and privacy torts
- Business and economic torts
- Wrongful death and survival claims
- Compensatory and punitive damages
- Defenses and immunities
- Settlement and litigation considerations
- Ethical issues affecting paralegal work
The book also focuses on practical paralegal responsibilities, including:
- Client intake and fact development
- Organizing medical and other records
- Preparing chronologies and damages summaries
- Identifying witnesses and evidence
- Legal and factual research
- Case-file organization
- Discovery support
- Deposition preparation
- Drafting and document support
- Monitoring deadlines
- Assisting with settlement preparation
- Supporting attorneys through pretrial and trial
Throughout the casebook, readers work through realistic questions:
What facts support each element of the claim?
What additional records are needed?
Who are the potential defendants?
Which defenses may apply?
How should damages be documented?
What evidence helps establish causation?
And what should the paralegal organize, investigate, or flag for the supervising attorney?
Because tort law varies among states, this book emphasizes broadly recognized U.S. principles while helping readers recognize when jurisdiction-specific research is necessary.
Whether you're studying for a paralegal degree or certificate, entering civil litigation practice, preparing for examinations, or strengthening your tort-law knowledge, this casebook is designed to connect doctrine with the work performed behind an actual tort case.
Understand the tort.
Build the file.
Analyze the evidence.
Support the case.