Van Camp v. McAfoos 261 Iowa 1124, 156 N.W.2d 878 (1968)
McAfoos was driving a tricycle down a public sidewalk and ran over Van Camp, injuring her leg. Surgery was required. o McAfoos' actions were the direct and proximate cause of Van Camp's injury. o McAfoos was only 3 years old when the accident occurred (which explains the tricycle) The Trial Court upheld McAfoos' motion to dismiss. Van Camp appealed. o McAfoos was not found to be negligent. o McAfoos was not found to have acted in a willful or malicious manner. Appellate Court affirmed the motion to dismiss. o Van Camp unsuccessfully argued that there are categories of tort liability other than negligence. Van Camp claimed that, "a person has the right to not be injuriously touched as she lawfully uses a public sidewalk." Without willful action or negligence on the part of the defendant, there is no cause for action that would allow for recovery as a tort claim. Unlike Contract Law, in Tort Law, there is no strict liability. There can't be liability without fault. o Although, Van Camp wasn't at fault either, why should she bear all the liability for the accident? Historically, you used to be able to recover under strict liability.
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