Quasi-Offense Law and Legal Definition
Quasi-offense means a negligent unlawful act that causes injury or loss to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages. It is a civil offense. A quasi-offense is similar to the common law tort of negligence.
However, in Grigsby v. Coastal Marine Service, Inc., 412 F.2d 1011 (5th Cir.-OLD 1969), it was said that, by definition, quasi-offense is one that is not necessarily based on negligence; it may be one where there is strict liability, regardless of negligence.
In Louisiana, defamation is a quasi offense and as such is governed by La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 2315. The essential elements of a cause of action for defamation are the same as those for any other offense of quasi offense arising under the provisions of Article 2315, that is, fault, causation, and damage. [Elmer v. Coplin, 485 So. 2d 171 (La.App. 2 Cir. 1986)]. However, the law relating to quasi offenses may vary from state to state.
