Andy entered a small restaurant and sat on a stool at the lunch counter. Baker entered the restaurant a few moments later and sat down at the lunch counter next to Andy. For no apparent reason, Andy suddenly struck Baker on the side of the head with his fist, knocking Baker to the floor. Baker raised himself from the floor, then seized Andy, and tossed him through the large glass window at the front of the restaurant. Andy was seriously injured and hospitalized as a result of the incident. Baker would not be liable for the injury to Andy, because he had acted in self-defence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Baker's response of throwing Andy through a window, resulting in serious injury, could be considered excessive and not a proportionate response to Andy's initial act of striking him. Self-defense claims require the response to be reasonable and proportional to the threat faced.

Andy Entered a Small Restaurant and Sat on a Stool