Federal Jurisdicton in Recreational Boating Accidents

When a recreational boating accident occurs, the first determination that must be made is whether a federal court or a state court has jurisdiction over a lawsuit that is filed with regard to the accident.

Torts in Wrestling

Injuries may occur to both spectators and wrestlers at a wrestling match. An injured party may be able to recover damages in a negligence action against the premises owner.

Tort Law -- Compensation for Damages

Apart from legislation granting a right to sue for a specific harm, personal injury law generally consists of tort law and the civil procedure for enforcing it. Most scholars agree that tort law has four purposes: (1) compensation for damages; (2) financial responsibility; (3) deterrence; and (4) avoiding self-help. This article discusses the purpose of compensation.

No Strict Liability for Defamation

A lawsuit for defamation has the following basic elements: (1) making a false statement (2) about a person (3) to others, and (4) actual damages (if the harm to the person is not apparent). There is a fifth element when the person is a public official or public figure. The person who made the statement has to have made it with a known or reckless disregard of the truth. This article discusses a matter related to the fifth element, the prohibition against strict liability.

Tort Law--Criminal Law Versus Civil Law

Apart from legislation granting a right to sue for a specific harm, personal injury law generally consists of tort law and the civil procedure for enforcing it. Law is sometimes divided into civil law and criminal law. This article discusses the distinction between civil law and criminal law as it relates to tort law and personal injury.