Brief of Amici Curiae Professors in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants

Details

Author(s):
  • Nora Freeman Engstrom
  • John J. Donohue III
  • Alexandra D. Lahav
  • Anita Bernstein
  • Michael D. Green
  • Gregory C. Keating
  • James Kwak
  • Douglas Kysar
  • Stephan Landsman
  • Anthony J. Sebok
  • W. Bradley Wendel
  • John Fabian Witt
  • Adam Zimmerman
Publish Date:
April 24, 2017
Publication Title:
Brief of Amici Curiae Professors in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants: Donna L. Soto, Administratrix of the Estate of Victoria L. Soto v. Bushmaster Firearms International, et al.
Format:
Brief
Citation(s):
  • Nora Freeman Engstrom; John J. Donohue, III; et al, Brief of Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants: Donna L. Soto, Administratrix of the Estate of Victoria L. Soto v. Bushmaster Firearms International, et al., No. 19832 in the  Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut (April 24, 2017).

Abstract

Plaintiffs’ complaint alleges that defendants, through their actions, carelessly facilitated Adam Lanza’s acquisition of a weapon of war, thereby enabling the slaughter of twenty first-grade children and six adults. This allegation states a claim for negligent entrustment as that common law tort is properly construed; a rigid or formulaic analysis is not required. Alternatively, to the extent it must adapt existing law in order to endorse plaintiffs’ cause of action, this Court should do so, recognizing that the common law’s “genius” is its “flexibility” and capacity for “adaptation.” State v. Skakel, 276 Conn. 633, 691 (2006) (internal quotation marks omitted).