University of California, Santa Barbara

Liability and Legal Responsibility in Business

University of California, Santa Barbara

Liability and Legal Responsibility in Business

William Karalius

Instructor: William Karalius

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze whether an agreement meets the legal elements required to form an enforceable contract.

  • Distinguish between express, implied, bilateral, and unilateral contracts in real-world business contexts.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

March 2026

Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the CPA Licensure Prep: The Regulatory Framework of Business Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course

In this module, you'll explore the core concepts behind negligence and strict liability, how businesses can avoid such liabilities, as well as how businesses can be negatively impacted. You'll learn how to define negligence in the context of a business setting, how a negligence claim is established, and how a business can potentially defend itself from a negligence claim. Beyond negligence, you will further analyze strict liability and its impacts on various types of businesses.

What's included

5 videos4 readings2 assignments

In this module, you'll learn about how businesses that make and produce their own goods for sale may be at exposure for unique liabilities where users of the goods may have legal recourse against the business. You will explore various types of product defects such as manufacturing defects and design defects. You will also dive into the liability a business is exposed to when it fails to reasonably warn product users of known issues that may harm users. Finally, you will gain an understanding about how a business can defend itself against product liability lawsuits.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

In this module, you'll apply concepts of negligence and other liabilities towards accountants performing various roles within an organization. Specifically, you'll learn how accountants may be held liable for negligence and fraud when preparing financial statements for a business. Also, you'll explore the concept of reasonably foreseeable users and how the work accountants perform may impact certain parties resulting in the opportunity for legal recourse against an accountant.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

This final module brings everything together. You’ll review key concepts from the course and apply what you’ve learned to real-world business situations. By stepping back and looking liabilities, you’ll strengthen your ability to analyze how risks influence day-to-day business decisions and hopefully keep a business out of court and needing to settle for large amounts in court—skills that are essential for accountants and business professionals alike.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

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Instructor

William Karalius
University of California, Santa Barbara
12 Courses 83 learners

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