Punitive 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. One of the purposes of tort law is to provide compensation for damages. This article discusses punitive damages.

Damages in Different Types of Lawsuits

Damages are awarded to an injured party who suffers harm, loss, or damage as a result of a defendant's intentional or negligent conduct. The type of lawsuit brought depends upon the nature of the harm, loss, or damage caused, and the type of damages awarded depends upon the type of lawsuit brought.

The Jones Act -- Definition of a Seaman

The Jones Act applies only to a "seaman" who is injured while working aboard a vessel in navigable waters. In order to be a "seaman" within the meaning of the Jones Act, the worker must meet certain requirements.

LIABILITY OF AIRLINES

An airline may be liable to its passengers for an aircraft accident based upon its status as a common carrier, its contract with the passengers, or an implied or express warranty regarding the safety of its aircraft. An airline may also be liable to its passengers for delays, for discrimination, or for wrongful expulsion

Tort Action for Failure to Provide Facilities to the Public

Under the common law, a person commits a tort when he or she fails to provide a public utility or a public facility to a member of the public. In order to be liable for this tort, the person must have a non-contractual duty to provide the public utility or the public facility to the public. A denial of the public utility or the public facility constitutes a breach of that duty.