| TAX CONSIDERATIONS IN TORT LITIGATION |
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| The income tax consequences of damages that are awarded in a tort action may have a significant impact on the parties to the litigation. In most cases, the tax effect of the damages will depend upon how the damages are characterized by the parties. Whether the damages are taxable or not may often affect the amount that a plaintiff is willing to accept from a defendant and that the defendant is willing to pay the plaintiff under a settlement agreement.More... |
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| Tort Law--Deterrence and Avoiding Self-Help |
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| 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 purposes of deterrence and avoiding self-help.More... |
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| DEFENSES TO ACTIONS INVOLVING RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS |
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| When a plaintiff files a lawsuit regarding a recreational boating accident, the defendant may claim defenses that are similar to those available in any other accident case. Such defenses include that the accident was inevitable, that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent or assumed the risk, that there was a superseding cause, or that the plaintiff's action is barred by the doctrine of laches or by a statute of limitations.
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| Federal Tort Claims Act - Intentional Torts Exception |
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| The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) applies to claims arising from the negligence of a federal government employee. The FTCA specifically bars claims that arise from an "intentional tort" committed by a federal government employee. More... |
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| CAUSING A SPOUSE TO SEPARATE FROM OR TO REFUSE TO RETURN TO ANOTHER SPOUSE |
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| Under the common law, there existed a tort for causing a spouse to separate from or to refuse to return to another spouse. Although most states have enacted statutes that have abolished the tort, there are a few states in which a spouse may bring an action against a third party for the tort.
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