80 Wis. 523, 50 N.W. 403 (Wis. 1891)
Vosburg v. Putney is a seminal case in tort law, especially regarding the concept of battery and the principle of foreseeability in the context of an eggshell plaintiff.
Can a defendant be held liable for battery when he did not intend to cause harm and could not foresee the resulting injury?
The intent required for battery is intentional unlawful contact, not an intent to cause harm; the defendant is responsible for all consequences of the unlawful contact, even unforeseen injuries.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court held that Putney was liable for battery because the contact was intentional and unlawful, and thus, he was responsible for the resulting injuries, regardless of whether the harm was intended or foreseeable.
Vosburg v. Putney holds significant relevance in tort law due to its establishment of the 'intent' requirement for battery and the eggshell plaintiff rule. This case exemplifies the doctrine that liability can arise from any unlawful physical contact, regardless of the actor's intent to cause harm or foreseeability of the extent of the injury. Law students and practitioners refer to this case to understand how liability for battery is grounded not necessarily in the harmful intent but the lack of lawful justification for the contact, and how damages must be fully compensated regardless of preexisting conditions the victim might have.